DIY Cool Summer Swimsuit Cover-up

Summer is in full swing, and that means that you need something to throw on over your swimsuit. When going to the beach or pool, a quick cover-up can make it less awkward to run out for a quick bite or to stop by the store on your way home. This cover-up is not only handy and convenient but also super cute. 

This cover-up features a V-neck and cinch-tie waist, so it's pretty faltering on most body shapes. 

Materials

You’ll need these materials to get started:

• 2 yards of a light-weight fabric - Feel free to explore fun patterns but stay away from medium-weight materials as they can grab onto a lot of moisture.
• Double-fold bias tape (about one pack)
• 2.5 to 3 yards of rope for its drawstring
• Fabric pen
• Ruler
• Needles, thread, pins, the whole basic kit of sewing supplies
• Sewing machine

Instructions

Step One: Preparing the Base

Before you even get to sit down behind your sewing machine, you'll want to cut out all the pieces. Cut two stretches of fabric to 40-inches by 36-inches. Feel free to scale down a little if you are especially petite.

Then stitch both pieces together down the sides with the right sides inward and facing. Don't forget to finish your edges!

Step Two: Creating a Fun Neckline

You can find a pattern for a neckline, or you can sketch out your own. With only a ruler and a fabric pen, you can easily create a symmetrical and professional-looking v-cut. Trace your neckline onto a pit of paper (preferably parchment paper) and then pin it into place over your fabric.

Cut through the only side of the material as you don't want to have a V in the front and the back. However, you will want to give the back of the cover-up a little curve. Nothing too dramatic but a slight curve will help you ensure that the cover-up doesn't look like a pillowcase.

Step Three: Create Your Hem

Rolled hems look great on this cover-up, but if you’re not comfortable with that level of work, then a traditional hem will do just fine.

Step Four: Mark it Up.

Right now, you should have two rather large squares of fabric with one have a V-cut and both having hems. However, you're not about to walk out in a completely square cover-up. You need to make a few marks before you can really get to work on setting the shape and finishing touches on this project.

First, flip your cover-up, so the right sides are facing out. Then 10-inches from the top you need to make a deep curve that goes in by six-inches at its widest point and then comes to a sharp halt at the bottom of the fabric. Your curve should look like a rather steep ramp. To accomplish this, you'll need to mark the initial spot, 10-inches from the top. Then mark another 3-inches down from there.

From the bottom of the 3-inch mark, measure out 6-inches. Use these marks to draw your curve by connecting each and sloping the curve toward the bottom.

Be sure to mark both the left and right sides of your pieces.

You'll also want to put two marks at the center of the front. Make each mark 1.5" long for buttonholes.

Step Five: Buttonholes

The buttonholes play a vital role as they'll hold your drawstring in position. Sew both buttonholes over the marks in your front piece.

Step Six: Stitch Along Your Marks

With your marks done you'll want to stitch along that curve. Flip the fabric right-side in again and get to work at your sewing machine. As always, backstitch to begin and end each stitch. Repeat on the other side.

Step Seven: Your Bias Tape

First, turn your project inside out and then open your bias tape. You may need to give it a bit of a press, but you’ll want it to lay flat with its fold going under itself. The bias tape should run from the 6-inch mark on each side of your fabric and run straight across the two buttonholes.

Pin the bias tape into place over the wrong side of your fabric. Sew it into place along only the top and bottom edges, leaving both sides open. Do this for both the front and back pieces.

Finish both sides by simply folding the bias tape into the pocket you just created.

Step Eight: Create Your Drawstring

Before you flip your cover-up right-side out again, feed the drawstring through the buttonholes and into the bias tape. Run it all the way through until you get to the buttonhole on the other side.

To do this, you can use a safety-pin and inch it through or use a small crochet hook. Tie the drawstring rope around the crochet hook and navigate the hook through the bias tape.

Step Nine: Complete Your Neckline

Using bias tape, you will complete your neckline to hide the raw edges. Top-stitch over the outside of the neckline and "catch" the tape as you stitch through. You really don't need to pin for this if you have ironed the fabric.

GoldStar Tool has the right tools to help you complete any project you are taking on. Be sure to check out our large inventory of sewing machines, notions, and supplies.