The Great Cover-Up
May 25, 2011
It’s warm outside! I’m so ready for the hot, hot heat and the days of blistering sunshine. I LOVE summer and if there’s one thing I want to pass along to my girls, it’s the love of all things summer. Many afternoons in my life have been spent in a bathing suit, lounging in the sand or splashing in the pool.
So when I got a request for a swimsuit cover-up, I was thrilled. What a great idea, right? She didn’t have any parameters for what it looked like and I had a very specific idea in mind. Thanks to my friends having terrific imaginations (and faith in me) she waited patiently while I turned this rough idea (I’m NO artist!):
into this gorgeous swimsuit cover-up!
Isn’t it just precious?!
 |
 |
It was incredibly easy to make!
Materials (this is for a 3T/4T size, but can be worn a little longer):
1 yard terry fabric
1 spool 1.5″ ribbon
20″ of 1″ elastic
3.5″ velcro
fabric scraps
coordinating thread
First, take the terry cloth and cut it in half width-wise, making it 23″ by 36″.
Square up the sides, but don’t cut the bottom where the fabric is finished. This will be the bottom of your cover-up.
Serge around the 3 unfinished sides. If you don’t have a serger and don’t want to zigzag to finished the edges, skip this step.
Starting on the sides, fold over 1/2″ and pin. Sew using matching thread. (if you skipped the serging step, fold over twice to enclose your raw edge)
Then fold the top edge down 3″ and sew along the edge. (if you skipped the serging step, fold under 1/4″ and sew, then fold down 3″).
Then come up 1 1/8″ from the seam you just made and sew another one, creating a casing for your elastic.
Pin and sew the ribbon down, making sure to sew on either side of the casing you just made.
Make sure to leave at least 1 inch extra on both sides.
Then take your 20″ of elastic and thread it through the casing, leaving a little sticking out on each side.
Sew 1/4″ from the edge of the cover-up to secure the elastic in place.
I used matching thread in my bobbin so the seam didn’t stick out so much.
Then cut the elastic off even with the edge,
fold the ribbon over twice,
and sew in place.
This is what your cover-up will look like so far.
Then make your straps. I cut 2 pieces of fabric 3.5″ wide by 10″ long.
Fold each end up .5″ and iron.
Fold right sides together and sew down the length of the strap.
Use a safety pin to turn the straps right side out and iron flat, with the seam at the side.
To determine where to place your straps, it’s easiest to use the person you’re making the cover-up for. I used Sofie to get them approximate, then evened them out. If you don’t have someone to try it on, you’ll have to make a judgement call. Start by deciding how far you want the front piece to overlap and mark it with a pin. Then come in equal amounts from each side and place the straps. It was about 2″ for me, leaving approximately 4.5″ between the straps.
Open the cover-up up and pin the straps in place about 1/2″ down. Sew them down, using thread the color of your cover up, 1/4″ from the top edge.
Then sew an applique or other decoration to the bottom. For information on how I do applique, please visit my tutorial.
To finish the cover-up, cut a piece of velcro 3.5″ long.
Sew the rough half of the velcro on top of the ribbon on the part of the cover-up that’s inside. I sew around it several times to make sure it’s on good.
Then sew the soft side inside the outer flap of the cover-up. That way when they’re taking it off, if the velcro hits precious skin, it won’t scratch it.
Again I used matching thread in my bobbin to help the seam blend in.
But since we want it to be pretty, a big bow would hide that velcro part perfectly! So tie a bow from the ribbon,
place it on top of the cover-up and cut the ends to the desired length,
and hand sew it in place!
Ta Da! Perfection.
Posted in 
May 25th, 2011 at 2:31 PM
Oh, I think I want to make one for little K. Heck for that matter I want one too.
Thanks for sharing!!
May 25th, 2011 at 3:21 PM
Melissa, I’m so thrilled with this! Avery is going to love it, and it’ll be perfect for her birthday pool party. I’m going to surprise her with it as part of her birthday setup that day. Yay!
May 25th, 2011 at 8:32 PM
I love this!! I made something sort of similar for my bridesmaids at my wedding two years ago-and now I wish I could go back in time and remake the wraps I did then just like this!!! Beautiful work; I will definitely have to update my summer wardrobe with one. Now to decide which fabric for the accents…
~Meara
May 29th, 2011 at 6:50 PM
Great idea!! Tried to open the link to the applique tutorial, but I was unable to open it… :/.
June 4th, 2011 at 6:27 AM
[...] elinizde havlu çocuğunuzun peşinde koşmayacaksınız nasıl yapıldığı ise adım adım burada.. Cevabı iptal etmek için [...]
June 9th, 2011 at 5:07 PM
I saw your tut a couple days ago, and then went to the pool today and thought I really do need one of these for my girls! It’s so cute!! So, off to the craft store for the terry cloth.
June 10th, 2011 at 8:37 AM
Beautiful and fun!
I shared a link to this on my Inspiration Friday post…
http://www.laniejandco.com/2011/06/inspiration-friday-61011.html
June 24th, 2011 at 5:37 PM
Great tutorial! Made one to day for a gift added a beach barbie, pool toys and put it in a pail so perfect!!!
June 27th, 2011 at 4:23 PM
[...] Swimsuit Cover Up – Sew Like My Mom [...]
June 28th, 2011 at 3:08 PM
Super CUTE. Thanks for the tutorial I linked to it on my FB page..
July 3rd, 2011 at 9:34 AM
[...] trip to the pool, I decided that the girls needed some cover-ups. So, I made them these matching terry cloth cover-ups. They have been perfect for keeping them warm and dry while eating our picnic [...]
July 10th, 2011 at 8:27 AM
[...] Source [...]
July 19th, 2011 at 2:02 PM
Made one for my little Lucy same day I saw this, she loves it! I had a hard time trying to sew velcro on the thick layers, so I did a button with loop elastic for the closure. I wish I could post pictures!
July 26th, 2011 at 12:11 AM
Made one today using an old towel and some ribbon. Little Sarah loved it. This one turned out great but I am going to make another one with some terry cloth. Thanks for the excellent tutorial! I love your site:)
July 30th, 2011 at 9:27 PM
Love the coverup. I would like one for when I get out of the shower. Maybe my nieces would like one.
November 4th, 2011 at 11:54 AM
I make these in class with my students. (Family and Consumer Science aka home ec class) I LOVE the idea of the ribbon making the casing. This is so much easier than what we had been doing. One question….where on earth did you find cute ribbon that matched your fabric like that?
November 4th, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Also…are you on Pinterest? I’d love to ‘follow’ you there!
November 4th, 2011 at 3:48 PM
Donna, I am on Pinterest! I’m under SewLike MyMom (I think!)
The ribbon and fabric came from Hobby Lobby. They’ve got lots of matching choices!
November 8th, 2011 at 7:57 PM
I made some like this a while back and my niece and daughter are starting to outgrow them. Do you have any tips on making them a little more “one size fits all” instead of being so custom. Or how to make them to where one might fit 2T to 5T and one would fit girls 6 to 8 so that I can make them a few for bath times and they will last them longer
November 27th, 2011 at 12:19 AM
Is there an advantage to using terry cloth over a towel?
January 14th, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Do you make these to sell? I’m looking for 2 for my twin girls for our summer vacation. They will be 12 months. My email is jjhelm7@gmail.com
January 18th, 2012 at 1:24 PM
Wondering what the font is that you used for the “A”? I love it!
January 23rd, 2012 at 3:50 PM
muy bien explicado la felicito los coordinadores de esta pagina se la voy hacer a mis nietas y la consegui despues de tantas horas por la web gracias por compartir sus conocimientos con nosotros bella orellana dios le siga iluminando
February 15th, 2012 at 8:10 PM
[...] I saw the tutorial for the pool wrap on the Sew Like My Mom blog, I knew it was something I wanted to try. The [...]
February 24th, 2012 at 9:08 AM
Hi!!! I made this bath wrap for my nieces for Christmas (age 4 and 5)…they LOVED them!!!! One literally stripped in the middle of opening presents and wore it for the rest of the night! I made one with an actual towel and one with terry material…the terry was much easier to use, although the towel was a little cozier. I also didn’t put straps on them…due to time mgmt that I am so great at! The girls loved them though…thanks so much for posting!
March 6th, 2012 at 12:23 PM
can you use a towel instead of terry cloth,it is hard to find at most fabric stores?
March 11th, 2012 at 10:25 PM
What does it mean to square up the sides? Please help.
March 19th, 2012 at 10:37 PM
HI, LOVE THIS IDEA!!! I’m making these for my daughter’s birthday party as her gifts for her friends
I’m just wondering where you find your fonts? I love the “A” in the picture and would like to use it if you’re willing to share the info. Thanks 
April 20th, 2012 at 3:13 PM
[...] Swimsuit Cover Up – Sew Like My Mom [...]
May 22nd, 2012 at 5:46 AM
[...] Cırt cırtlı ve askılı olduğu için elinizde havlu çocuğunuzun peşinde koşmayacaksınız nasıl yapıldığı ise adım adım burada.. [...]
May 29th, 2012 at 4:28 PM
would love to make one for myself and a friend, what would i need for bigger sizes?
June 13th, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Hi! This was super easy to make. I made one 2 for 20.00! Using coupons at the fabric store. At some stores they sell for over 20.00 for a yound girl for just one. It took about 1 1/2 hour of my time each. They can use at the pool or after a shower when the summer season passes. Thanks for laying it out for the eyes to see. I imagine things but I need to see them in steps.
June 23rd, 2012 at 5:28 PM
[...] Swim Suit Cover Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. [...]
July 6th, 2012 at 1:51 PM
Thanks so much for this tutorial! I just made one and it was SO easy! I used and old towel, that was in good shape, and cut it up. Used the ends for the straps and scrap fabric for the ribbon accent! It is such a cute wrap for when my daughter gets out of the shower! And it cost me $0!
Perfect! Thanks again!!!
July 9th, 2012 at 10:33 PM
I started this today during nap time and I am almost done. Just need my model to help with the strap placement.
Just one question. Do you have a tutorial on how you make your bows? I can’t seem to make one that looks nearly as nice as yours. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
July 19th, 2012 at 8:19 PM
How would you alter the measurements to make this for adults?
November 16th, 2012 at 5:57 PM
I would also love to know what measurements you would use to make it for adults. What a great Christmas present for multiple people!
Your pattern is adorable!
December 15th, 2012 at 9:09 AM
Muito lindo , obrigada por compartilhar
January 16th, 2013 at 5:08 PM
fabulous tutorial! an alternative to having specific length shoulder straps is to do individual longer straps that attach at the front and back and tie up on the shoulder. this way the recipient can adjust the length of the straps to fit her perfectly!
February 25th, 2013 at 8:26 PM
I’d also love to know which font you used for your applique! I’m making these as take home gifts for my daughter’s birthday party and I can’t seem to find a font that I like as much as the one you used!
I also have a broken right hand in a cast, so wish me luck!
February 26th, 2013 at 5:43 PM
I believe this is Pharmacy. Downloaded from dafont.com. I get almost all of my downloaded fonts from their site, so it’s safe to use!