A swimsuit cover is a must for a beach day/pool party packing list. You have to be comfortable and covered everywhere you go other than in the water. With this sheer chiffon cover-up, you can look modest and beautiful on the beach or by the pool, without being overdressed

DIY bathing suit cover ups  – 2 free patterns

Mark the pattern for the swimsuit coverup

On 28 inch wide and 40 inch long fabric mark the back of the pattern; Mark 2, 10 inch by 40 inch patterns; Mark 2 pieces of sleeve pattern on 10 inch by 26 inch fabric.

Cut out the pattern pieces from fabric

The back piece is cut out from folded fabric

Mark the neckline for the back

Join the front panels

Join the front and the back pieces at the shoulders

The front and back pattern joined

The front and back are joined together at the shoulders

Attach the sleeves

Align the center of the sleeves to the shoulder seam and sew the sleeves to the bodice.

Sew the sides

Sew the sides of the sleeves and the bodice on both sides. Do this for both the sides. Finish the edges. You can use a hemmer foot to roll the edges or just cut the edges with a pinking scissors – depends on how fast you need that swimsuit cover up

Swim suit cover up – Dress style

Step 1 Cut out the pattern pieces 

This beach dress has to be made of a thin lightweight fabric like chiffon georgette etc. Check out the post on sewing sheer transparent fabrics  for more details on sewing with these kinds of fabrics

Take two fabric pieces measuring the length you want for the beach dress to be. Width should be 38 inches minimum ( to get knee length sleeves). Keep them together and then Fold the two pieces by the center

Cut out the pattern pieces.  Now cut the sides and the bottom edge only and then separate the two fabric pieces. The neck can be cut separately (individually) for the front and the back.

Cut the neck of the back piece

Cut the neck of the front piece

You need to cut 4 pieces of bias tapes. Check out the post on bias tapes for more details on cutting them. One 1.5 inch piece for waistband; Two 1 1/4 inch ones for the waist ties; One long bias tape of 3/4 inch for neck binding.

Step 2. Join the shoulder seams of the back and front.

I did a french seam because the fabric is sheer and if you have frayed edges it can look ugly to the outside especially if you are using light colored fabrics. Check out the post on french seams for more details.

Joined

Step 3. Finish the sleeve hem with a turned under hem.

Step 4. Bind the neckline with the bias tape.

Step 5. Mark gathered waistband on front piece

You have to mark two buttonholes on the front pattern for the gathered waistband, as well as the position for the waistband. The waistband is placed just under the bust in an empire waist.

The waistband does not stretch fully to the side seams. It is marked 16 “. The waistband is attached to the back of the front fabric piece so that it is not visible to the face of the garment. Just the ties come out through the buttonholes. 

Step 6. Make the buttonholes on the front pattern piece where marked

Check out the post on making buttonholes if you do not know how to.They are made 1.5 inches apart in the center  of the line you have marked earlier.I would interface the back of the buttonhole next time.

Step 7. Make waistband and ties

Make the two waist ties.They are simple fabric tubes. Check out the post on making fabric tubes for more details.

Prepare the waistband piece ( 17 inch long 1.5 inch wide fabric ). Turn the endes 1/4 inches to the inside all around. Baste stitch in place.

Stitch the waistband piece to the back of the fabric on the line you have marked.Remember not to stitch the short ends. You have to insert the waist ties through them.This will make the casing for the drawstring waist ties.

Using a safety pin insert the waist ties through both the side edges of the waistband. Bring it out the front through the buttonholes you have made. Stitch the ends of the waist ties in place to the waistband. A simple stitching would do it. 

Sew the side seams. Finish the hem. I did a baby hem. You can use the hemmer foot to make rolled edges as well.

A shirred dress also makes an easy to sew swimsuit cover up. Check it out.

Related posts : Kimono sleeve jacket patterns ; Easy waterfall jacket pattern – these are other options that you can drape over your beach-wear.