March 22, 2011

Bathing Suit Cover Ups

     I know, I know, its only the first part of spring, I shouldn't be dreaming of summer already, huh? But we just got back from an amazing trip to the beach and I just can't seem to help myself!

      Before we left for our trip it got me thinking... I knew I was going to need something this summer to help free up my hands. Somehow, I always end up carrying everyones towels, goggles, snacks and countless other pool goodies. I either needed to grow more hands or come up with a better system.

    I decided to turn their towels into pool cover ups. I made them so they can put them on all by themselves. Even my two year old. Then, this was sure to free up some of the goodies I always end up carrying for everyone. Plus, this would keep them warm after getting out of the pool. I made a wrap for the girlies, and a towel cape for the boys.

Here's all the stuff your going to need...
A beach towel (if its a larger one you can probably get two wraps out of one towel depending on the age
                        of the girls and size of the towel)  (For the boys cape-I used the entire towel for one cape.)
Fabric to make binding (or you can but it premade)
Thread
Velcro-the kind you can sew


       We will start with the girls wrap. Trim your towel. Use your little ones as a guide. If your kids are younger and you have a large beach towel, you should be able to make two of these from one towel.

       Now that you cut your towel, you have lots of frayed ends that will need some serious binding. You can purchase premade binding at Joanns. I had lots of white fabric and just made mine. Then, you want to sew it on. I totally consider myself a beginner sewer for sure! But, you can also skip this step if you wanted to. You could easily just fold the towel edge over and sew a seam up. But, if you do choose to add the binding, here is a fabulous tutorial here . I made mine a little wider then what was mentioned in her tute because we are working with thick towels and I thought it would look a little better. I am still totally learning, but it was fun to try something new.

        Then use some of the scrap towel from when you trimmed it up, to make the two straps. Again, the best thing here is to use your child as a guide on  the width and length of your straps. Turn the strap inside out and sew down the open edge.


                                              Then attach them to the wrap and sew them on.


The straps look like they pinned on uneven, but one side of the wrap is longer since that wraps around her on the inner part of the wrap.


Next, have your little princess try on her new wrap so you can pin the velcro in place. I placed my velcro on the top part of the wrap. Then sew it on.

Now, you are done and have a fabulous little summer wrap for your little Miss!


Now on to the boys...I knew I needed something for my little fellas, so I had to make a super hero towel cape for them. I got all the sizes and patterns over here at The Long Thread

I decided to fold the towel in half and then cut the pattern out.


                    Now that its cut out, you will want to add the binding we talked about above.

                 Finally, sew on the velcro. Now your little man has a super hero towel cover up for the summer.
Sorry this is not the best picture, its hard to get a two year old to stand still for a photo op!
      Now the kids will have fun with their new threads and you just scored yourself less to carry at the pool since the kids will be wearing their towels! I would love to see any of the cover ups you make! Happy Sewing!

                                                                             Thanks for visiting!


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5 comments:

  1. i so love it!

    sunny san diego should be sunny this weekend, i hope!

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  2. This is such a cute idea. I need to make these for the kids, this way they can carry there sand toys and not worry about losing there towel.

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  3. I *LOVE* the super hero cape towel! So cute and perfect for a little dude! Thanks for visiting my blog and following. Cute stuff on your blog!
    PS- I'm YOUR newest follower! :)

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  4. Awesome! I love the super hero cape too! I need to make some of these for my kids!

    I'd love to have you share this at my For the Kids Friday Link Party, going on now at SunScholars. Come join in on the fun!

    http://sunscholars.blogspot.com/2011/03/for-kids-friday-4.html

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  5. So CUTE! I love love love the boy one! Thanks so much for linking up to Try it Tuesday at DotDotDot, I will be featuring these!!
    Have a Happy Monday!
    Tasha

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