Craftiness: easy DIY swim coverup

easy DIY swim coverup

There’s a lot to love about summer, right? Lazy mornings, afternoons at the pool, staying up late – it can be pretty darn wonderful. It’s safe to say the kids may never have more fun in their whole life than they do on summer days spent at the beach or the splash pad. I absolutely love watching their excitement:

At the same time, summer can be a little stressful when you’re the mom. Every time we head out for an afternoon adventure I think: did I pack enough snacks? Did I remember the floaties/swim diapers/sippy cups/water shoes/etc.? Did I get enough sunscreen on everyone? Has it washed off? Why did I buy my daughter the cute bathing suit that made her happy instead of the full coverage rash guard that would have made me happy?

I end up worrying about the kid’s skin in the summer, too. My kids are on swim teams, which mean a daily dose of chlorine blasting their already-dry skin. They end up with red itchy patches that sometimes get so irritated it hurts even to get in the shower. The last thing I want are kids that can’t do the things they enjoy because of dry, irritated skin.

swim-coverup-sewing-instructions-tutorial

So today I’m sharing a super easy DIY swim coverup so I can worry less about the sun hitting those shoulders all day.

Once we’re done playing in the water, my boys can throw on a shirt for a little extra sun protection and call it good. But I wanted something with a top and bottom for my daughter so both her shoulders and legs would get a bit more protection (and modesty) once swim time is done. This simple DIY swim coverup is easy to sew, comfy to wear, and is a great way to recycle one of your older, unwanted tees. Here’s how to whip one up:

1 – Place a shirt that fits girl well on top of a larger tee. Measure how long you want the finished swim coverup to be and place shirt accordingly. 2 – Cut coverup front and back from larger tee as shown. 3 – Sew front and back RST across shoulders, and from underarm down sides. 4 – Press open side seams, which will automatically create a hem around the arm opening.

5 – Sew around arm opening to finish. Fold neckline down 1/2 inch and press, sew using zigzag or double needle. 6 – Cut elastic 2 inches shorter than waist measurement, sew ends together. 7 – Pin elastic to coverup at waistline on the wrong side of fabric. 8 – Sew elastic to coverup using a zig zag stitch, stretching elastic as you sew so the coverup lays flat. Once the elastic is sewn on it will cinch in the waist of the coverup, and then you’re done!