How to Add Padding to Swimsuit With Steps in 2023 - Swimsuits101 (2024)

The idea of adding padding to a swimsuit may seem obnoxious, but it’s one great innovative idea that has made us feel comfortable in our skin and confident in ourselves. Looking through some of the online beauty shops, one will notice that not all swimsuits come with padding. They are often plain fabrics adding little or no support to our bust.

Although, a lot of people may want to rock their suits in such a manner, without wanting to add extra cups to sharpen them. For others, they won’t buy the idea of just going to the beach or pool with a suit that has no padding.

Not everyone may feel comfortable wearing a nipple cover either. So they come up with an alternative or look for suits with good pads. Well, for those who are going for the former, we can help you with that. Continue reading to learn how you can add padding to your swimsuit.

Can You Add Cups to Swimsuits

Yes, you can add bra cups to swimsuits. Swim bra inserts can be purchased and sewn into the lining or fabric of a swimsuit

How To Add Padding To A Swimsuit

Adding padding to a suit isn’t much of a task. You can fix pads of various sizes into the suit. All that is required are a few sewing tips and things to get you to work. Here is how to add cups to a swimsuit.

1. Choose which pad to get for the suit

For a situation like this, you don’t go about getting any pad that you feel would be suitable for it. You have to ensure that the pad you want to use would fit right into your bust without any inconveniences or what have you. You’re to consider padding of different designs and sizes. There are some that would do justice to the fitting of a suit. They are;

• Enhancement pads for bust – These give your bust a whole new look. They help to make the bust firmer giving it maximum support.
• Push-up pads – The essence of the push-up bra is to push the bust forward, so the chest can be properly seen. You can as well get this type of pad for your suit
• Penetrable pads – Don’t be deceived by the name. They can also be called waterproof pads. You can go swimming with it and have zero worries.
• Shaping pads – Such pads will certainly give a unique touch to the bust region of your suit. They are to make the bust look fuller when the swimsuit is worn.

2. Look out for a perfect spot to insert the pads

The instant you’ve been able to figure out what type of padding that would fit into the bust region of your suit, the next thing to do is look for how to fix padding in the swimsuit. At this stage, you just don’t place it anyhow. You have to be meticulously careful of the exact location it ought to be. The goal is to get fitting and make you feel good in your suit, and not to look out of place when you mistakenly place the pad in the wrong location.

Now, to know the exact spot to place it, you’ll have to take the pads and place them directly on the spot where they should be. Before then, you should put on your suit so you don’t miss the spot. Putting on the suit will let you know if you’ve gotten it right or not. There should be adequate coverage of the bust such that no part is left out.

Moreover, it should blend with the suit so it doesn’t look bad. So don’t mark the spot and leave it that way. Use something like a pin to hold it to the suit. This will make you not to lose track of what you’re engaging in.

3. Sew the pad into the suit

At this point, you’ll be needing a needle and a thread to sew the bra pads into a swimsuit. Before then, you must have discovered the exact place to place the pads. So, turn the suit inside out, hold the suit with your other hand clip the pad to the suit, and sew from the bottom first. After that, go around the suit with the needle till you’re done sewing.

However, this is one crucial aspect not to be taken for granted. It is sewing the pad to the suit without the line of thread showing from the outside of the suit. If it’s showing, then you’ll have to loosen it and go over it again. So you’re to sew it into the inner lining of the suit and try as much as you can not to let it cross to the front.

Please Note: You really don’t have to go get a pad for the suit. It isn’t a must. You can as well look for another alternative. And what is this alternative? Using an old bra cup to act as a pad for your suit wouldn’t be a bad idea.

If you don’t have an old bra, you can get a hold of any bra to achieve this. Perhaps, a bra you least love. Then, cut off the straps and the rest part surrounding the cup in a particular order cause that’s what is needed. Place the cups in the exact location where they would accentuate your bust and hold them down with pins. After that, simply sew it around till you are fully done sewing. Lastly, endeavor you don’t sew the suit outside the lining. So that’s how to add padding to a swimsuit.

How to Add Cups to a One-Piece Swimsuit

Adding cups to a one-piece swimsuit can be a straightforward process with the right materials and sewing skills. Here are general steps to guide you through the process:

Materials Needed:

1. One-piece swimsuit
2. Swimwear cups (can be purchased from a fabric store or online)
3. Needle and thread or sewing machine
4. Fabric marker or chalk
5. Scissors
6. Pins (optional)

Step 1: Gather your materials

Make sure you have all the materials needed for the project, including the swimsuit, swimwear cups, needle, thread or sewing machine, fabric marker or chalk, scissors, and pins (optional).

Step 2: Try on the swimsuit and mark the cup placement

Put on the one-piece swimsuit and adjust it to your body for a comfortable fit. Stand in front of a mirror and determine the ideal placement of the cups. Mark the cup placement on the inside of the swimsuit using a fabric marker or chalk, making sure the markings are symmetrical and aligned with your natural breast shape.

Step 3: Insert the cups

Using scissors, carefully cut small slits on the inside of the swimsuit at the marked cup placements. Insert the swimwear cups into the slits, making sure they are centered and aligned with the markings. You may need to fold or manipulate the fabric to fit the cups properly.

Step 4: Secure the cups

Using a needle and thread or sewing machine, carefully hand-stitch or machine-stitch around the edges of the cups to secure them in place. Use a matching thread color for a seamless finish. Make sure the stitches are tight and secure to prevent the cups from shifting during wear.

Step 5: Try on the swimsuit and make adjustments

Put on the swimsuit again and check the fit and placement of the cups. Make any necessary adjustments, such as tightening or loosening the stitches, to ensure a comfortable and natural fit. You may also use pins to temporarily hold the cups in place while trying on the swimsuit and making adjustments.

Step 6: Finish the edges (Optional)

If desired, you can finish the edges of the slits with a zigzag stitch or by sewing a small fabric patch over the edges to prevent fraying.

Step 7: Final touches

Once you are satisfied with the fit and placement of the cups, trim any excess threads and give the swimsuit a final inspection to ensure a clean and professional finish.

How to Remove Padding From a Swimsuit

Having discussed how to add padding to a swimsuit, I will also show you how to remove padding from a swimsuit. There are a few reasons why you will like to remove the padding from your swimsuit. It’s either the padding is messed up, or it is too lumpy or it doesn’t fit. There may also be more personal reasons for wanting to remove a bra pad.

However, it is easy for things to go wrong while removing the pad, so, here’s what you can do; What you need;

• A pair of Scissors
• A pair of tweezers

1. Cut open a layer of the swimsuit

The first step to removing padding from your swimsuit is to lay your swimsuit on a flat surface and turn it inside out. Use a seam ripper to remove the seam outside of your swimsuit fabric. These seams are on the left and right sides of your swimsuit.

Use your pair of scissors to cut a line in the layer of your swimsuit where the padded cups are. Try to cut open as far as you can until you see the padded cups embedded in the swimsuit.

2. Separate from lining

Once you have cut open to an extent, remove the padded cups inside the swimsuit. If the paddings are together with the lining, then separate them carefully to avoid ripping off your lining. Use your scissors to cut out the paddings then carefully remove without any damage to the swimsuit fabric.

3. Remove the rest of the padding using your tweezers

After removing most of the paddings, you might find out that there is still a bit of padding stuck to the swimsuit fabric, what you need to do is to use your tweezers to remove the rest of the paddings until none of them is left.

To reduce the padding instead, place your swimsuit padding on a flat surface and use a paring knife or scissors to decrease the padding. Make sure you trim your padding into a similar shape as it was when you removed it.

4. Sew up your swimsuit

Once you are done removing the paddings in your swimsuit, you can sew it up again without leaving a trace. In case you need to replace the paddings you removed, all you need to do is to insert new padded cups into where you removed the old one from and make sure it fits before sewing it up. You can make use of a straight or zigzag stitch to sew the seam back into place. You are good to go.

5. For removable paddings

To remove removable paddings from your swimsuit, there are two layers in swimsuit fabrics, separate both layers from your swimsuit and remove the paddings inside. You can also use a pair of cup claws to get this done.

Simply turn your swimsuit inside out, insert the cup claw into the opening by the side, grab the padding, and remove it. It’s that easy. It is very important that you check that your swimsuit pads can be removed and are not sewn into the lining before you decide to start removing the padded cups.

Another thing you shouldn’t do is to try cutting out a hole in order to remove the paddings, this might totally destroy your swimsuit without remedy.

Wrapping Up

It is essential to understand that the use of padded or non-padded swimsuits is optional and goes according to one’s preference. You know what is more suitable and convenient for you. If you want to insert pad cups into a padless swimsuit, feel free. From the procedures listed above, we believe you’ll achieve a great result.