A bikini cover-up you can sew in less than an hour! Hooray!
You will need:
Fabric (2 – 3 meters), cord, buttons/beads
Pattern:
My pieces (and Snow’s butt) before sewing:
Click MORE for the step-by-step instructions.
BROKEN LINES INDICATE WHERE YOU SEW.
1. Fold and sew one side of the front pieces. This would be the neckline side.
2. Sew the shoulders of the cover-up, right sides together.
3. Fold over the allowance along the shoulder seam and sew to have a clean finish.
4. Sew (or hem) all the way around your cover-up. This excludes the neckline sides since you already took care of those on step 1.
5. Attach the cord casings to the wrong sides of the cover-up. Use your waistline as guide.
6. Insert cord.
Attach your buttons or beads to the ends of the cord and you, my love, are done!
Final Words:
1. Use a fabric with a pattern or print along the edge.
2. I realize that I will probably look like a chieftain wearing this cover-up. I guess that’s okay since tribal print is apparently trendy this season.
3. Also, this does not call for side seams. Your sides will be open, making it perfect for showing off your fun bikini.
Jun 15, 2011 @ 18:16:42
I can’t wait to see a photo of you wearing it! And I can’t wait to have free time and sew something like that. But maybe with a plain fabric for an everyday cover-up. :)
Jun 15, 2011 @ 20:19:34
good job,girl! i love the print. :D
Jun 15, 2011 @ 20:58:35
Now when you said “chieftain”, first thing that popped into my head was “Sharkbait, Hoo-ha-ha!”
Jun 15, 2011 @ 21:09:00
Wow! Great job! It’s a nice project to do since it’s quite simple and can be done in an hour… then you can already wear it at the beach. :-D
Jun 15, 2011 @ 23:04:56
I think I have to make this for the beach next month. It would also look cute over a tank and jeans or something….or maybe not…fashion is not my strong suit.
Jun 15, 2011 @ 23:17:11
Pretty *and* quick, what else can I ask for? This is so cool, thanks for putting up the steps.
Jun 16, 2011 @ 04:47:44
Wow that is simple and the result is amazing, I really love the fabric that you have used
Jun 16, 2011 @ 09:23:25
NICE!!! I love the print. :)
Jun 16, 2011 @ 09:35:43
i don’t need a cover up, but this is really cool :-)
Jun 16, 2011 @ 16:26:19
love this! where’d you get the fabric? :)
Jun 16, 2011 @ 17:50:43
you – are – so – clever.
Jun 16, 2011 @ 22:05:25
Or a cute Kimono-clad Japanese girl. :)
Jun 18, 2011 @ 02:57:34
This looks fabulous! Love it! You are so creative!!
Jun 18, 2011 @ 10:33:22
WOW! I love this! The shape and that fabric are fantastic! Thanks for the how-to, I’ll be passing it along.
Jun 20, 2011 @ 06:09:28
oh my gosh!! that is brilliant, it turns out SO CUTE!
Jun 21, 2011 @ 10:10:02
The illustrations got me a bit confused (not your fault) but I got it when I saw the finished cover-up! I hope I can hand sew one (don’t have a machine, ugh)!
Jun 23, 2011 @ 03:48:46
Adorable over a tank or T-, too!
Jun 23, 2011 @ 23:57:08
I love it!! It seems to be supereasy!!
Jun 26, 2011 @ 16:54:33
This is sooo fab! And soo quick wow. You are so talented Meream :D
<3
Jun 30, 2011 @ 23:30:26
Beautiful! All of us Babes should have one of these, or maybe 2 or 3 ….
Jul 17, 2011 @ 11:19:40
i like this its very pretty but i hate meters yucky made one for my grand daughter now her girl friends want one to. also made one for my daughter but she didn’t want the pull string so we used vecro tabs cinstead and it looks fine
Jul 19, 2011 @ 21:54:50
This is just what I have been looking for . Can’t wait to make a few for over tanks!
Jul 28, 2011 @ 05:42:17
What did you use for the cord casings?
VERY Simple Beach Coverup by Bored and Crafty | Sewing Tutorials Library
Jul 31, 2011 @ 01:36:11
[...] VERY Simple Beach Coverup Sewing Tutorial by Bored and Crafty [...]
Aug 03, 2011 @ 00:58:34
Thank you so very much for sharing this. I’ve been searching all over for nice easy patterns – this one is awesome – keep up the creativity – peace & blessings :-)
Aug 18, 2011 @ 21:53:26
This is sooo FANTASTIC!! I am going to make one to wear anytime I many need a quick wrap. Thank you for sharing this GREAT cover-up
Aug 18, 2011 @ 21:54:28
P.S. I really LOVE the fabric you used.
Aug 18, 2011 @ 23:32:11
This is a great tutorial! Thank you for posting!!
Aug 19, 2011 @ 03:00:01
Your design is so simplistic and well done. Very pretty and versatile and creatively done . The fabric is flowy and thin? I think this sets off the cover up very nicely. You have no shoulder pieces shown so I am thinking that the sides are sewn only in a certain area? I got lost there. Please help clarify this for me.
Aug 19, 2011 @ 04:48:28
Can you explain how/ or if, I can print this out? I’d like to make this but don’t want to have to keep trekking back and forth from my sewing room to my computer room. help? thanks. I have a perfect piece of fabric for this.
Aug 20, 2011 @ 09:25:18
I love the cover up but realllllllllly love the fabric. Can you tell me (and others) where we can get some of it?? Thanks
Sep 02, 2011 @ 22:44:59
I’m a bit old and heavy for a bikini, but I still need a cover up…love this one!!! In fact, I want to modify the front closure a little and make a blouse/top for myself. I’m a lot older than most of your followers, but I just joined as I love your ideas. Many of them are so easy to modify a little so they would work for an older generation woman too. I hope to see lots more from you. Thank you very much for taking time to put together and share all these tutorials.
Sep 02, 2011 @ 23:27:03
That’s definitely possible! Instead of a drawstring you can add an elastic and then close the side seams :)
Feb 23, 2012 @ 16:27:12
This is AMAZING…Love the idea, the FABRIC, the simplicty//You are a very talented lady !
Thanks for all your ideas……many of them I am going to do!
Ter
Feb 25, 2012 @ 12:00:12
Thank you, too. And happy sewing/crafting ;)
Summery Stuff: Link Love « craftyfamilyadventures
Mar 09, 2012 @ 07:01:24
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Mar 22, 2012 @ 20:25:10
Terrific idea, just in time for pool season … I will skip the skimpy ‘kini but still enjoy classy cover-up. Thanks so much for sharing
Mar 22, 2012 @ 22:53:26
Love it! I’m among those who will not be wearing a bikini to cover up, but think it would be great any time a little warmth might be needed, and how about using the pattern for a simple warmer cover-up made from fleece?
Mar 22, 2012 @ 23:44:01
Wow, super simple, fast and free. I am always making my sewing projects more simple than the original patterns and I see you are a whiz at this also. I just found this site and am having a creative circus in my mind. you ladies are so sew smart, just love it. Sometimes I think no one in the world sews but me, and am so thrilled to find sew-mates.
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Apr 25, 2012 @ 21:22:38
Brings back memories ! My Mom made a very similar one for me when I was about 8 out of towels……I remember it being really warm and too heavy for the beach !! Your design is much better ! thanks for bringing back a sweet memory !
Apr 26, 2012 @ 11:52:18
:) Thank YOU!
May 29, 2012 @ 06:31:45
This is going to sound EXTREMELY stupid, but do you measure where to cut the fabric in accordance to one’s size, so to speak?
Jul 04, 2012 @ 15:42:09
You could use an oversized shirt as guide. :)
Jun 16, 2012 @ 05:52:56
Thanks for this awesome pattern – I actually love the fabric you chose for it, too! And aside from being a beach coverup, it looks great over a tank top & skinny pants (with cute sandals, of course)!!
You rock!!
Jun 20, 2012 @ 01:31:15
Hi, Love this turorial and the fabric, I want to make one for my sister-in-law and will need to make it a extra large, how much fabric do you think that each piece would require? Thanks again for any help you might give.
Jul 04, 2012 @ 15:28:55
Hi! I can’t be sure; I think you can ask the fabric store :)
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Jul 03, 2012 @ 13:13:10
I just finished making mine, wow, it’s BEAUTIFUL! I wish I could post a photo of it here! Thanks for the great instructions and design, I love love love it!! Now I HAVE to go to the beach tomorrow to show it off. :)
Jul 04, 2012 @ 15:28:12
Yay! :)
Simple Beach Cover Up « Sewing Tables By Sara
Jul 18, 2012 @ 11:38:12
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Aug 06, 2012 @ 07:30:48
great, I love the fabric. Where can I find the fabric?
Aug 06, 2012 @ 12:43:47
This was in the sale pile of a local fabric store here in my country. :)
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Sep 27, 2012 @ 10:35:08
Your project is really cute, I’d love to make it but I don’t understand the measurements indicated. Neck to elbow: is this a vertical measurement? And elbow to elbow: horizontally with arms spread? with arms at sides?
Sep 27, 2012 @ 14:32:04
Hi! Those are measured horizontally. :)
Sep 27, 2012 @ 14:23:42
The Click MORE for the step-by-step instructions.link isn’t working
Sep 27, 2012 @ 14:31:31
There is no need to click MORE when you view the whole post. The drawings are the sewing instructions :)
Jan 21, 2013 @ 20:05:52
I tried to make this although it turned out a lot shorter than I wanted. Could I just ask what you chose for your desired length?
Thanks
Jan 21, 2013 @ 20:15:19
Hi!
Mine was 28″ long. I’m only 5′ tall though. :)
Jan 22, 2013 @ 12:12:47
Thanks -I’m about that same height. Was that including seam allowance?
Jan 22, 2013 @ 12:28:09
Nope, seam allowance not included. Mine actually is short enough to double as a long top of some sort. If you want something longer, measure from the top to the middle section of your thighs. :)