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Beach Towel Dresses: A Tutorial-ish

June 15, 2010 By crafterhours 75 Comments

Update!  The Aegean Swim Cover is now available for purchase!  Buy the .pdf pattern and you’ll take all the guess work out of making beach towel dresses/cover-ups, and you’ll also get 4 different style options!
 
There is still the original ruffle dress, but now you can also make a dress without a ruffle, a tunic, or a boy’s raglan sleeved hoodie!  The pattern has also been updated to include a notched neckline for easier dressing.
Head over to the shop to read more about the Aegean Swim Cover!
 
(the original tutorial is still included below)

Line up the red lines below with the hem of the towel to save yourself some hemming later.

First, ruffle the trim and sew it to the bottom of the dress pieces.  Sew the two hood pieces together.

Then sew the dress together on the side seams and shoulder seams.  Sew the hood to the neckline.  Finish the arm holes and neckline with bias binding.  When you sew the bias binding around the neck, make sure you catch the hood’s seam allowances also.
That’s it!

My favorite part about these?  No Dora in sight.  What is up with swimsuit covers and licensed characters?  Seriously!

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Filed Under: dress Tagged With: clothing, dress, repurposed

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Comments

  1. Pati @ A Crafty Escape says

    June 15, 2010 at 9:12 am

    I must make one NOW! Thank you!!!

    Reply
  2. Anna says

    June 15, 2010 at 9:15 am

    so so so great! I’ve been wanting to get my girls some kind of towelish cover up and this is so cute!

    Reply
  3. Tracy and Mark says

    June 15, 2010 at 9:19 am

    those are seriously too cute!

    Reply
  4. Kelli says

    June 15, 2010 at 9:35 am

    These are SO cute! I know exactly what post of Dana’s you’re talking about because my first thought when this post popped up on my reader was that she had made these to go with hers! I’m so impressed!

    Reply
  5. Care says

    June 15, 2010 at 9:49 am

    Adorable!!!

    Reply
  6. Maggie says

    June 15, 2010 at 9:53 am

    Ummm yeah this is freakin’ adorable!! I Love it! And can I live by you so I can hang at that beach too!!!
    -Mags

    Reply
  7. Sarah says

    June 15, 2010 at 9:53 am

    i love them! Soooo cute :)

    Reply
  8. dana says

    June 15, 2010 at 10:20 am

    oh Adrianna…they turned out great! I’m glad it worked out the way it did too so that your creative mind came up with this cool version instead! I never would have thought to do it that way. And it’s so cute to see the two girls together in their matching coverups. cute stuff!

    Reply
  9. LB3K says

    June 15, 2010 at 10:29 am

    These are an absolutely perfect companion to Dana’s Mama version!

    Reply
  10. Ady says

    June 15, 2010 at 11:02 am

    OMG – how gorgeous are these coverups!! Thanks for this. I now need to go find some towels to convert – shame we don’t have Target in the UK.

    Reply
  11. Jen says

    June 15, 2010 at 11:59 am

    SO, SO CUTE!!! Thanks for the great ideas!

    Reply
  12. PeaceLoveApplesauce says

    June 15, 2010 at 12:14 pm

    These are fabulous!!

    Reply
  13. Anneliese says

    June 15, 2010 at 12:20 pm

    LOVE these! So so cute. The towel prints are perfect for your design! I have two little girls I need to make these for–totally adding this project to my list! Thanks!

    Reply
  14. Melanie says

    June 15, 2010 at 12:25 pm

    The hood is especially genius, because kids never think to dry their hair! I love it.

    Reply
  15. Kari @ Ucreate says

    June 15, 2010 at 1:00 pm

    K, I must feature this tonight!! Seriously ADORABLE!!

    Reply
  16. Lise says

    June 15, 2010 at 2:00 pm

    Totally adorable–I love them! They’d be great with some vintage towels, too, I’m thinking…

    Reply
  17. Cole's Corner says

    June 15, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    SUPER cute!

    Reply
  18. TheDixiePixie says

    June 15, 2010 at 2:37 pm

    ADORABLE! And I have those exact towels too! They will have new life soon. Thank you for the awesome idea. The hood is my favorite part!

    Reply
  19. barbara says

    June 15, 2010 at 2:43 pm

    so cute! i made my girls bathrobes out of ikea towels, 20 dollars each, you can’t buy good quality and cute robes like for even tree times that amount (here in switzerland). i love how you bound the seam allowance of the hood.
    ps: i read dana’s blog and she is great but so are you two, i am so inspired by you two :-)
    barbara

    Reply
  20. Katy says

    June 15, 2010 at 4:28 pm

    oh my goodness I can’t handle how cute these are – must make one RIGHT NOW!

    and yeah, I read Dana’s blog… but I think you’re equally as awesome :)

    Reply
  21. nerines says

    June 15, 2010 at 5:35 pm

    That really is adorable! xo

    Reply
  22. Ell says

    June 15, 2010 at 6:27 pm

    Oh, very very nice))

    Reply
  23. Julie says

    June 15, 2010 at 7:48 pm

    LOVE!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  24. Ivy says

    June 15, 2010 at 8:38 pm

    I JUST BOUGHT a towel to make a swimsuit cover for my little one – I can’t wait!

    Reply
  25. I Am Momma - Hear Me Roar says

    June 15, 2010 at 9:07 pm

    FABULOUS WORK!!! I love how they have a hood, since long hair always keeps dripping. The skirt bottom is so cute. Great job! I love it!

    Reply
  26. Brenda says

    June 15, 2010 at 9:34 pm

    That is awesome! I must make one for my daughter! I love how easy it is! Thank you!

    Reply
  27. The Oxford Family says

    June 15, 2010 at 9:58 pm

    I actually like this version even better!

    Reply
  28. ange_moore says

    June 15, 2010 at 10:08 pm

    I was seriously having towel envy when I saw Dana’s coverup and they look uber-cute on your girls too! Now I just need to make a winter run-to-the-car-from swimming-lessons coverup and I’ll be set. Thanks for the inspiration and the tutorial-ish!

    Reply
  29. Mandy McDonald says

    June 15, 2010 at 11:23 pm

    This is so ADORABLE!

    I’m with you on the whole licensed character aversion.

    I like your cover up better than DANA’s ;) because my daughter won’t wear anything with elastic shirring. She says it’s too uncomfortable. She’s going to love this!

    Reply
  30. Diane@InMyOwnStyle says

    June 15, 2010 at 11:27 pm

    Hi Adrianna-
    These are the cutest little cover ups I have ever seen. Your models are even cuter. My girls are grown now, but I would have loved to make them each one- they would have loved wearing it.
    My best – Diane

    Reply
  31. Amy says

    June 16, 2010 at 12:03 am

    I’m the same with characters on clothes, etc. But I have a question…how do you know how big, what shape to cut the towel body pieces?

    Reply
  32. Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking says

    June 16, 2010 at 12:36 am

    Super cute! I came across Dana’s site last week and bought her pattern and WANT to make the dress… I NEED to make these too now. I’m determined to better my sewing skills over summer… they can only improve, since I don’t have much skill at all right now.

    Reply
  33. Anonymous says

    June 16, 2010 at 12:51 am

    So adorable and super cute! LOVE it! -Kim

    Reply
  34. whitecraft says

    June 16, 2010 at 2:45 am

    OMG! You are up there with Dana for me. Seriously. You have wonderful, original ideas and execute and present them just so beautifully. Inspirational. :-)

    Reply
  35. Kelly's Korner says

    June 16, 2010 at 3:16 am

    Darling! Cute idea!

    Reply
  36. Rhonda says

    June 16, 2010 at 6:34 am

    These are wonderful! I think I have to make some for my girls – seriously cute!

    Reply
  37. anne maskell says

    June 16, 2010 at 8:49 am

    They are the cutest things ever! The towels you used are awesome. Your little girls make them look even better!

    Reply
  38. Andrea says

    June 16, 2010 at 9:21 am

    HI I found your blog via Ponytails & Fishscales. I love this cover up!!! What a seriously great idea! You have some fantastic projects on your blog, I’m glad I found you!! I’m very much an amateur seamstress but I can’t wait to try these.

    If you’d like to check out my blog I’d be thrilled :) its at http://Andrea-thekitchenwitch.blogspot.com :)

    Reply
  39. saffiertje says

    June 16, 2010 at 9:43 am

    sooooo CUTE!

    Reply
  40. michelleml says

    June 16, 2010 at 10:13 am

    I love this it’s perfect. Now lets see if i can make it thats the hard part

    Thanks so much for sharing this

    Reply
  41. Amy@ServingPinkLemonade says

    June 16, 2010 at 1:12 pm

    This are some of the cutest things I’ve ever seen! Functional and adorable. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  42. casserole says

    June 16, 2010 at 1:30 pm

    oooh, this is SO cute!!! I linked to your tutorial over at Craft Gossip Sewing:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-swimsuit-hoodie-cover-up-from-a-beach-towel/2010/06/16/

    –Anne

    Reply
  43. michelle@somedaycrafts says

    June 17, 2010 at 1:01 am

    Much too cute for words! I am in swe! I will be featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com in a few days. Grab my “Featured” BUTTON.

    Reply
  44. inday_adin says

    June 17, 2010 at 1:49 am

    Saw your creation featured on U create and I think it is cute! :) Clever!

    Reply
  45. Sue says

    June 25, 2010 at 5:38 am

    great idea, thanks for sharing !

    Reply
  46. susie says

    June 30, 2010 at 6:02 pm

    OMGosh! I will be doing this right now! Thank you so much…exactly what I need for the girls! :)

    Reply
  47. Hiskia says

    August 3, 2010 at 4:34 pm

    so nice! i posted a link to your tutorial at my blog. i also used a picture. hope you don’t mind, but if so: please let me know!

    Reply
  48. Elite Dresses says

    December 24, 2010 at 9:02 am

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    Reply
  49. robin says

    February 10, 2011 at 1:27 am

    I love your towels,nice collection ..get the more beautiful and stylish towel sets collections, as i got.

    Reply
  50. Heather Feather says

    March 14, 2011 at 12:41 pm

    These are so cute! I love the colors, and that they match!

    Reply
  51. Rachel at Sun Scholars says

    March 18, 2011 at 10:24 pm

    Those are so cute!

    I’d love to have you share this at my For the Kids Friday Link Party! Stop on by and see what we’re up to!

    http://sunscholars.blogspot.com/2011/03/for-kids-friday-3.html

    Reply
  52. Kate says

    April 26, 2011 at 2:53 pm

    OMG – that first photo could seriously be of my two daughters!! Just showed it to my husband and he thought it was, so did the rest of the family. Very spooky! My little Mia looks exactly the same.

    Reply
  53. Melany says

    May 30, 2011 at 2:01 pm

    Thanks for the great idea! I made one for my daughter over the weekend. I added your link to my own blog description.

    Reply
  54. Stephanie says

    July 8, 2011 at 10:24 am

    These are absolutely adorable! I am going to have to add them to my ever growing list of sewing inspiration and projects. Did you freehand the bodice/dress pieces?

    Reply
  55. While They Snooze says

    August 2, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    Great idea! I think I used the same polkadot towel for my beach robes. Found you on pinterest. Love!

    http://www.whiletheysnooze.com

    Reply
  56. Anonymous says

    February 13, 2012 at 9:55 am

    Hi my name is Julie, and I’m a newbie to sewing:) Love these, so adorable!! Wandered if you could give me measurements and to what age these were for? Maybe I can figure out the rest for different sizing for different ages lol..maybe:/ Thanks.

    Reply
    • crafterhours says

      March 3, 2012 at 12:24 am

      Hi Julie! Sorry, I have no idea what measurements they were, but a great way to measure the width is to have your subject put their arms down against their sides, then measure the circumference around their belly, including the arms. This way you know it’ll slip on over their head without a closure. It’ll be baggy, but hey, it’s a swim cover :) The length is totally up to you, but I suggest ending the dress(including the ruffle) just below the knee. I think kid’s skirts & dresses that go any farther just look too big, but that’s just me.

      Reply
  57. Mammy Made says

    May 28, 2012 at 10:54 am

    Hiya babes. Just wanted to let you know that I featured this on my blog today. I would love it if you could check it out and grab my button :)

    http://mammymade.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/mint-stuff-ive-seen-15.html

    – Adele @ Mammy Made

    Reply
  58. Anonymous says

    July 5, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    i have a few questions i am new to sewing and really want to try to make these. however i am wondering were both of these dresses made from just 2 towels? how do u get the measurments for the hood? if u dont mind answering these my email is blas8487@yahoo.com

    Reply
  59. Jackie Eister says

    September 20, 2012 at 10:16 am

    Hi. I would like to know the dimentions of the towels to make the cover up. I was thinking about making it for my daughters birthday or christmas. If you wouldnt email me back. sassyflamergirl@hotmail.com

    Jackie’s Keepsakes
    sassyflamergirl@hotmail.com

    Reply
  60. Jackie Eister says

    September 20, 2012 at 10:16 am

    Hi. I would like to know the dimentions of the towels to make the cover up. I was thinking about making it for my daughters birthday or christmas. If you wouldnt email me back. sassyflamergirl@hotmail.com

    Jackie’s Keepsakes
    sassyflamergirl@hotmail.com

    Reply
  61. CinderellaAnn says

    January 6, 2013 at 7:45 am

    love this!! Thank you so much for sharing :)

    Reply
  62. Anonymous says

    January 26, 2013 at 11:27 pm

    Do you have a template or layout sample to cut towels for these and did you use a towel for each one made?

    Reply
  63. Anonymous says

    January 26, 2013 at 11:32 pm

    I left a request for a sample layout or template. My email is kellyra65@gmail.com.

    Reply
  64. Erin says

    July 22, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    These are too cute! Thanks for creating the pdf :)

    Reply
  65. Crystal says

    December 4, 2013 at 12:54 pm

    What a fantastic idea! So cute! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  66. Starla says

    February 2, 2014 at 10:22 am

    I am interested in buying the pattern and license, but on the pattern detail it does not show the hood. Is the hood included in the pattern itself?

    Reply
  67. Sarah Helene says

    June 12, 2015 at 10:29 am

    STYLISH bright colored SWIM TERRYCLOTH COVERS! Darling for the 2 little girls with practical use playing at the beach or pool after swimming. Love your mix of stripes & large dots. Simple sewing instructions to follow with photos in your tutorial. Thanks for sharing. Sarah in Minneapolis

    Reply
  68. nathalie neuville says

    August 16, 2016 at 8:55 am

    tuto et idée extra, et suis ok avec votre avis sur dora …… les petites sont super girly

    Reply
  69. psbarton99 says

    August 20, 2019 at 5:54 pm

    This is the cutest beach cover-up I’ve seen. The patterns designs are endless. Thank you for sharing your idea. I can’t wait to get started on making one of these.

    Reply

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