DIY Swimsuit Cover Up

Learn how to make a DIY swimsuit cover up perfect for hot summer days. Match the fabric to your swimsuit, and wear it to the beach or poolside!

Last month we had a trip planned, so I made this fun DIY swimsuit cover up to wear to the beach. I love sharing tutorials and seeing what you make, so I made a video and a tutorial to share.

Almost immediately after I created this, our trip was canceled and a couple of days later everything was shut down. I’m sharing it anyway in hopes that you and I can use this tutorial this summer and fall. Maybe you live next to a beach or a have a pool in your backyard and are still in need of a DIY swimsuit cover up!

When I’m out swimming all day and reapplying my sunscreen, I still sometimes need a little more coverage to protect me from the sun. Most swimsuit cover ups have straps at the shoulders, and my shoulders are what burn first.

I really needed a beach cover up that would protect my shoulders, and that’s why I made this DIY sewing project. The other cover up I love to use is a DIY lace cover up.

I had this lightweight blue cotton gauze fabric that my friend gave me. It’s the perfect fabric since the cotton makes it absorbant, but it still has enough coverage to protect me from the sun. You can use almost any lightweight cotton woven fabric like double gauze, chambray, and lawn.

I added a lace trim to all the edges instead of hemming, and I love the fun little detail it adds. It’s also faster than hemming!

The best part is that you can coordinate the fabric with your favorite swimsuit. I made this swimsuit (learn all the tips for sewing a swimsuit!) right before making this cover up, and I love that they subtly match.

I think this design would work really well for a summer robe around the house. I love having something lightweight to throw on in the morning when it’s hot. If you want a swimsuit cover up you could make this DIY knit robe that could be made in woven fabric!

supplies

2-3 yards of lightweight cotton fabric like double gauze, chambray, lawn, etc.
3-4 yards of 5/8 inch or larger lace trim
sewing tools
sewing machine

Measure your bust. Multiply it by 1.5. Divide it by 2. This will be the front and back bodice width.

Measure your neck to waist. This will be the height of the bodice.

Multiply your bust measurement by 3. This will be your skirt width.

Measure from your waist to where you want the skirt to go. This will be the length of the skirt.

Cut out two bodice rectangles using the measurements and match above. Cut one bodice in half widthwise.

Cut out your skirt rectangle. I had to cut out two pieces to make the skirt wide enough.

Lay the two front bodice pieces on top of the back bodice piece with the centers matching up. Cut out a half circle from the top of the center front to create the neckline. Cut the front neckline at an angle to make finishing the edges easier.

Sew the shoulder seams with a French seam. Sew half or a third of the side seam from the waist up.

Clip just above the French seam on the side seams so that the sleeve edges can be folded a different direction than the side seam.

If you had to cut two pieces of fabric for your skirt then sew the short edges right sides together together to create one long rectangle. Finish the edges.

Sew two rows of basting stitches along the top of the skirt.

Gather the skirt until it fits onto the bodice. Pin the skirt onto the bodice with right sides together.

Sew the skirt onto the bodice with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Finish the edges.

Fold all the raw edges over towards the front at 1/2 inch. Pin the lace over the fold with one side lining up with the fold and the other side covering the raw edge completely.

Sew the lace onto all the folded edges encasing the raw edges. The fabric will not fray, and you have a beautiful lace finished edge.

If you make something using this sewing project, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!