Bikini Cover-Up: Project & Tutorial

            While I was searching for the perfect cover-up to take with me to the Bahamas, I noticed that I’m either a cheapskate, or things are just overpriced.  While staring at one cover-up in particular, my mother-in-law says “This is just t-shirt fabric, I bet you could make one really cheap.”  Ding, ding, ding!!! Thanks for making my decision for me.  I grabbed an XL shirt in a color that complimented my skin and set to work.  Below is the product.  Check out the tutorial to make your own.  I just love how it turned out.

            A little more info.  I didn’t want to use a ton of elastic to hold up the dress.  Elastic pinches and creates unattractive rolls even on a thin person.  Easy fix?  Use a little elastic for stability and make a tie-strap in the back just like  a bikini.  I did opt for a thicker tie just because I want the cover-up to be secure and stay in place.  Also, using an old t-shirt means you don’t have to worry about hemming the bottom edge of the dress, it’s already done for you.  I hope you enjoy this project!

Step 1:  Gather your supplies.  You will need a HUGE T-Shirt, scissors, a ruler, ½ inch elastic, 1 inch elastic, and matching or complimentary thread.  I was torn between two shirts.  Obviously I chose blue, so I decided to use bright green thread.

Step 2: Measure.  I grabbed a dress that fit me just how I wanted the cover-up to and used it as a guide.  Measure a seam allowance of half an inch on each side of your dress to ensure it fits. 

This dress is assembled in a top and bottom.  For the bottom piece, add an extra inch to the top of your measuring (this will make the “skirt”).

For the top, add a half an inch on each side and an extra inch and a half to the top for your seam allowances.  You will only use one piece of the top rectangle you cut for the bodice.

Step 3:  Cut your shirt.  Cut around all of the measurements you made.  You should have 2 skirt pieces (front & back of shirt) and 2 rectangles for the bodice (you only need one of these pieces). 

Cut a straight line under the armpit of the shirt, using the side you cut the skirt from.  Do this on both sides.  These will make the back straps.

Step 4:  Sew the straps.  Right sides facing, stitch around the bottom hemmed edge and both long edges, leaving the top, raw cut edge open.  Flip right side out and top stitch all but raw edge.

Step 5:  Add elastic to the skirt.  You will need to add the ½ inch elastic to the top, raw cut edge of one piece of the skirt.  Place the elastic ½ inch down from the top, raw edge of the fabric. Stretch the elastic, to ensure that it will hold up your dress. 

Pin it down and use a zig-zag stitch to allow for stretch over the elastic.  Stitch down the elastic.  Fold down the raw edge over the elastic, and top stitch, creating a nice hem.

Step 6:  Sew the skirt.  Place the 2 skirt pieces, right sides facing, and stitch up each side, leaving both the top and bottom open.  You now have a skirt assembled.

Step 7:  Add elastic to the bodice.  Using your 1 inch elastic, add elastic ½ inch from the top of one long edge.  Fold fabric over the elastic and iron down, then pin.  Use a zig-zag stitch to secure the elastic to the fabric.

Step 8:  Attach back straps.  With the elastic side of the bodice facing you, fold over each short edge and iron down.  Add the raw edge of the strap to the raw edge of the folded over seam.  Make sure the straight edge of the strap matches up with the top of the bodice.  

Stitch down the entire length of the short side, securing the strap and making a hem on the side.  Use the same process on the other side.

Step 9:  Assemble the dress.  With the bodice top down and wrong side facing you, lay the front of the skirt over the bottom of the bodice.  Attach only to the front of the skirt and stitch down.  

The front of the skirt will be longer from side-to-side than the bodice.  Fix this by creating small darts while stitching the pieces together. Flip the dress right side out, and there you have it!  A cover-up all your own!  Enjoy!