Finish Your Swim Cover

I like to put the straps on first before the velcro. I use my model again and move the over lap so that the only one side has the over lap and strap meeting and make sure that the overlap is going to be the bottom piece that the strap attaches too. Also make sure the finished edge the towel came with is on top.

On this one the overlap is on the right side. if it were on the left the vecro and strap would be competing for room in the seam on the same side the velcro wouldn't be able to attach flat because the strap ends would be in the way.

The above pix shows the front straps attached but not the back. I put the velcro on first that time to make sure I didn't have straps and velcro colliding in the same stitch.  Attach the back straps using your model or I make the front straps match up and fold it in half. Then I measure about an inch from the middle and mark the fabric so the straps will be even.
After straps are attached put the velcro on. Pin it in place and be sure that it works right.

The top and bottom of the velcro have a space to sew. When you get to the ends you just have to sew across the velcro. Cut any long threads hanging from your project and you've finished!! I hope you love this tutorial and I'd love to receive your comments and suggestions. I'd also love to see your covers you finish, so send a pix too!
Swim cover tutorial part 1

Sew Easy DIY Swim Covers

I was so tired of my little ones dragging their towels on the sidewalk after swim lessons that I devised a clever little cover up to make those towels stay in place and fit them right. Now that it is the third summer and the kids have grown out of their original ones, I made them again for all 4 of my kids and decided I needed one too, since I wish when I wrapped  my towel around me it would stay in place. Yes, you read that right, these lasted for two summers of swimming.And it's easy enough for a 2 year old to put it on. They would even put it on backward and I'd just close the velcro and we'd move on!

So, with a little basic sewing skills you can make these! What you need is a towel, sew on velcro, 3/4 in elastic, and thread.

 I didn't picture the thread because I just use what I have, but you will need some. It's up to you if you want to be picky and get some that matches the towel or just git-er-done! I just used the cheap $5 beach towels from Wal-Mart. If you use a towel that looks nice on both sides then it is never inside out when your little one puts it on. Make sure the velcro is not adhesive. The adhesive won't stick and will gum up your sewing machine if you try to use it. (I did this and it wasn't cool) I like the thick elastic to keep it up and tight on the kids shoulders.

Supplies: Sewing machine, cutting mat, rotary scissors, straight pins, cutting ruler and a regular ruler. The regular ruler can be replaced by anything long and straight. The first time I used a pencil. A dowel would work too.

Measure your kiddo. If your model isn't close enough to measure or this is a surprise I will post some measurements in a later post. If you can fold the towel in half and it will still wrap around with a 6 in overlap then you can use it this way choosing the length and using the already finished edge as the bottom. For my older girls and mine I wrapped it the other way. Just make sure there is a six inch overlap. I cut one around my oldest daughter and then realized she had been holding her breath. so now I make sure they take a deep breath, see my cuties puffed out cheeks :)

Fold it hotdog way and cut on your mark. Then use your SCRAP piece to cut 2 strips 4 in. wide. Be sure that you don't cut the strips from the wrong piece. You'll end up with a cover for a younger sibling, friend neighbor or enemy, whoever it will fit.

On the rough edge of the cover up I like to do stitch #7 on my brother machine to keep it together in the wash. I like to skip proper hems whenever possible.

I also like this stitch because the foot you use on the machine makes it easy to guide it through.

Love it. Now that you have the rough edge stitched, use the same stitch and foot to sew the straps.

Fold the cut strips hot dog and pin into place. Sew along the rough edges leaving the ends open.
Measure the shoulder of your model and cut 2 elastics to fit. Attach the elastic to one of the ends of the strap.

Pin it and sew the whole length of the gap.
Then comes the tricky part. Inside it out without loosing the elastic in the towel.
 Here's a video of the best way I found to do it, with an extra set of hands.

Sew the length of the opening making sure the elastic is in the stitch too.  The above is what it will look like.

Swim Cover part 2