Claire-Louise Hardie shows how to hack this month’s V9255 woven bikini into a stretch version

When I was asked to make this month’s cover pattern up as a stretch pattern, I was really excited as I’m asked all the time how to hack a woven pattern into stretch. I wanted to keep the design’s retro feeling with a bit of a modern twist. I decided therefore to keep the bottoms high waisted and to make them a ‘boy short’ shape. I have added sideseam ruching for more shaping around the legs as an optional extra too.

The princess seams and lower band option on the top screamed colour blocking. I kept the blocking quite simple on the bottoms. It’s more of a waistband, which is easier to fit and sew, and meant I could be more creative with the blocking on the top. I eliminated the opening at the back of the top, making it a roll-on style that doesn’t need a fastening. This would work really well as a soft bralette too, or as a sports bra.

Swimsuit Lycra is perfect for a stretchy hack of this month’s Vogue woven bikini

Swimsuit Lycra is made primarily from polyester, so I looked for a more sustainable option. I was thrilled to see that Offset Warehouse, an ethical fabric retailer, does swimwear fabric made from recycled polyester. The fabric was a lovely quality and sewed up beautifully.

Swimsuit Lycra is quite fine, and traditionally it is always lined. I chose to add a lining as it adds body to the fabric, and makes the suit last longer. Always use swimwear lining, as this will withstand chlorine or salt water. I also bought swimwear elastic to finish the edges. This is a narrow-rubberised elastic that will also withstand chlorine or saltwater. Regular elastic is likely to deteriorate quickly.