Cut Strips and Ties

• 1). Lay two extra large shirts of different colors on a flat surface. Remove the bottom hems with a pair of scissors.
  
  
• 2). Cut two strips measuring 1 inch wide from the bottom of the top shirt. Cut each strip in half. You will have four strips. These are the ties for the bikini.
  
  
• 3). Cut two strips measuring an inch wide from the bottom of the bottom shirt. Make one cut across one side of a strip to make one long strip. Cut the second strip in half to make two strips.
  
  

Make the Top

• 1). Lay the top shirt on a flat surface. Measure 9 inches from the bottom and mark with a pencil. Cut through both sides of the shirt on the mark. Pin the edges of the fabric together with stick pins.
  
  
• 2). Draw a triangle on one half of the fabric. The bottom of the triangle should be 10 inches wide and the sides should be 8 inches long. Measure 1 inch below the center of the bottom of the triangle and mark with a pencil. Draw an arch from one side of the triangle through the mark and up to the other side.
  
  
• 3). Place stick pins along the inner edges of the triangle. Cut along the lines. Place the triangle on the remaining fabric from the top shirt and trace around the edges. Cut along the lines to create two identical triangles.
  
  
• 4). Lay one of the triangles wrong-side up and fold the top corner over 1 inch. Place a strip over the fold flush with the bottom of the folded edge. Fold 1/2 inch over on the sides of the triangle, overlapping the strip. Pin the sides. Sew a straight stitch down both sides with a needle and thread. Stitch across the strip to hold it in place. Repeat with the other triangle.
  
  
• 5). Fold 3/4 inch of the arched bottom of the triangle over and pin. Retain the arched shape. Sew a straight stitch across the top edge of the fold to leave a tunnel for the tie at the bottom. Repeat with the other triangle. Remove all pins and place a safety pin on the end of the long strip. Push the pin through the bottom tunnels on each triangle.
  
  

Make the Bottom

• 1). Lay the bottom shirt on a flat surface. Cut out a rectangle 19 by 16 inches and pin the two layers together.
  
  
• 2). Measure 11 inches from the top of the rectangle and mark with a pencil. Measure 6 inches from each side of the rectangle and mark near the 11 inch mark. These marks are the straddle of the bikini bottom. Draw an hourglass shape from each side of the marks to the top and bottom of the rectangle. Cut along the lines and pin along the inner edges with straight pins.
  
  
• 3). Fold 1 inch of all corners over. Place a short strip on each corner. Fold 1 inch of the top and bottom of the hourglass over, covering the strips, and pin. Sew a straight stitch across the top and bottom, stitching across the strips to hold them in place.
  
  
• 4). Cut 1/2 inch slits in each side of the fabric around the straddle. Fold 1 inch of the edges over along the sides and pin. Sew a straight stitch along both sides and remove the pins.