Since we live about ten blocks from the beach, we plan to spend many of our days there this summer. I have one swim coverup in my closet (that I made last year when I was pregnant), and a few other tops that I’ve been using as coverups, but I wanted something that was a real coverup that I could wear to the beach regularly.

I saw this one at j.crew a few months ago and loved it, but didn’t love the nearly $80 price tag. So I made one myself. It’s soft, comfy, and pretty — I love how it turned out. I can’t wait to wear the heck out of it this summer.

beach coverup: made by me // beach bag: target // sandals: target // sunglasses: old navy

Materials:

1 1/2 – 2 yards knit fabric (I used a cotton-polyester-spandex blend that was soft and stretchy), more or less depending on your height and your desired dress length
matching all-purpose thread

Step 1. Fold your fabric in half, and lay it on a flat surface. Before you cut, make sure the stretch of the fabric will go across the dress, not down (as seen below).

Using a loose fitting top as a pattern (with the arms folded in as seen below), cut out the dress with a 1/2 inch seam allowance around the whole thing. When you reach the bottom of your pattern shirt, just continue down at a slight angle until you reach your desired hem length. Since the fabric was folded in half, you should have two (2) identical pieces like the one on the right, below.

Step 2. Take the front piece of your dress and fold it in half. Cut the neckline to your desired depth and then cut a slit down the middle of the scoop (as seen two photos down).

Step 3. Now let’s cut out the sleeves. Using a 3/4 sleeve shirt as a pattern, lay it along the fold of your fabric and cut around the pattern-sleeve, adding a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Make sure the stretch of the fabric is going across the sleeve, not down the sleeve. Cut two of these.

Step 4. Lastly, cut two pieces of fabric to match up to the necklines of both the front and back of your dress, as seen below. Make sure the stretch of these fabrics go across the dress as well.

With right sides together, pin the lining pieces to both the front and the back dress pieces, as seen below, and attach with a straight seam.

*When you sew around the slit on the front neckline, make sure your stitching forms a point at the base of your slit (see note two photos below)*

Trim the seam allowance, and cut the corners at an angle to avoid bunching, as seen below.

Fold the lining over and press into place. Then with a wide straight stitch, sew around the neckline to secure the lining in place. Repeat for the back piece of the dress.

Step 5. (not pictured) With right sides together, pin the front and back dress pieces together at the shoulders. Sew the shoulders together with a straight seam and a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

Step 6. Now it’s time to attach the sleeves. Lay the dress flat on the ground with the neck hole in the middle (as seen below in the photo on the right), and, with right sides together, pin the sleeve to the arm opening, as seen below.

Sew sleeve to dress with a straight stitch and a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Repeat for the second sleeve.

Now your dress should look like this, with the neckline completed, the sleeves attached, and the sides open.

Step 7. With right sides together, pin the dress from the end of the sleeve to the hem of the skirt, and sew with a straight stitch and a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

Step 8. (not pictured) Hem the sleeves and dress to your desired length, press all the seams, and you’re done!

As always, comment or email me with questions! Happy sewing!

April 05, 2013

J.Crew Inspired Beach Coverup (Tutorial)

beach coverup: made by me // beach bag: target // sandals: target // sunglasses: old navy

Materials:

1 1/2 – 2 yards knit fabric (I used a cotton-polyester-spandex blend that was soft and stretchy), more or less depending on your height and your desired dress length
matching all-purpose thread