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How to Make a Swim Suit Cover

How to Make a Swim Suit Cover
This swimsuit cover is very simple to construct using a bought oversized T-shirt. Using a T-shirt eliminates the need to cut pattern pieces from fabric and means the side seams and bottom hem are already sewn for you. The sleeves and neckline are trimmed to make the swimsuit cover sleeveless and cool, while a drawstring added around the waist means the finished fit is adjustable. This is a great project for making use of inexpensive oversized T-shirts. Jersey fabric does not fray and curls up when cut, so you can leave the neck and underarm edges raw, or hem them for a more finished look.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • Oversized T-shirt Scissors Tailors' chalk Twill tape Drawstring cord Sewing machine Thread Pins Safety pin
  • Oversized T-shirt
  • Scissors
  • Tailors' chalk
  • Twill tape
  • Drawstring cord
  • Sewing machine
  • Thread
  • Pins
  • Safety pin
Step 1
Turn the T-shirt inside out. Cut off the sleeves and collar along the inside of the original seams. Try the shirt on and decide whether you like the shape of the neckline and straps. At this point, trim away more of the neckline to make it round, V-neck, or wide and shallow for a boat-neck cover. Trace around the neckline of a favorite top using tailors' chalk if you want a pattern.
Step 2
Try the shirt on again and make a small chalk mark at the level where you want the waistline to be cinched. Take the shirt off, then measure and draw a chalk line around the whole circumference at the waistline on the right side of the fabric. Draw another line down the exact front center of the shirt from the neck to the hem.
Step 3
Starting with the end of the twill tape at the central chalk line, pin the twill tape along the chalk line marking the waist. Cut the twill tape so that the two ends butt together at the central chalk line.
Step 4
Zigzag stitch along the top edge of the twill tape and then the bottom edge. Do not sew the short ends of the twill tape at the middle of the shirt. This leaves you with a channel around the waist of the shirt for a drawstring with an opening at the front center.
Step 5
Tie a knot in one end of the drawstring cord, insert the safety pin through the knot, then use the safety pin to work the cord through the twill tape channel at the waist of the cover. Pull the cord all the way through, leave a tail, cut the end and tie a secure knot. When you pull both ends of the cord, the waist of the cover cinches up creating a more shapely garment.

Tips & Warnings

 
You don't have to adjust the neckline and sleeves if you don't want to---just leave them intact and sew the twill tape for a drawstring waist. Fold, pin and sew the neckline and sleeves toward the inside of the cover if you want finished edges. Cut the hem from the T-shirt so it can roll up and match the appearance of the neck and strap edges if you like that look.
 
You don't have to adjust the neckline and sleeves if you don't want to---just leave them intact and sew the twill tape for a drawstring waist.
 
Fold, pin and sew the neckline and sleeves toward the inside of the cover if you want finished edges.
 
Cut the hem from the T-shirt so it can roll up and match the appearance of the neck and strap edges if you like that look.

Article Written By J.C. Lewis

J.C. Lewis is the editor and co-owner of a weekly newspaper, as well as a staffer and regular contributor to a group of three newspapers in Los Angeles, Calif. Her writing has appeared on USAToday.com, Hotels.com and various other websites. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science in politics from the University of Bristol, England.

Write for Trails.com

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