How to make a DIY beach cover-up

All you need is an old sheet, a forgotten T-shirt from the back of the closet, some thread, or a few fabric scraps to create a unique, lightweight, and original DIY beach cover-up. A simple and creative way to give new life to things we no longer use, saving money and reducing waste.

Old oversized t-shirt

If you have an oversized T-shirt in a drawer that you no longer wear , with a pair of scissors and a few small tricks you can transform it into a beach cover-up.

• Cut the sleeves and undo the neckline to make it wider.
• Then decide on the length: if you want a mini effect, cut the fabric to mid-thigh; if you prefer something longer, leave it almost full.
• To add movement, you can sew pompoms, fringes or tassels along the edge.

Men's shirt

If you prefer a hassle-free solution, a men's shirt is the perfect cover-up : there's practically no sewing involved. Just grab one from the back of your closet, perhaps in linen or lightweight cotton, and you're done. Simply roll up the sleeves and leave the top buttons undone. At most, you can cinch it at the waist with a belt or colorful drawstring to flatter your figure.

Bed sheet

You can also make an elegant beach cover-up from an old sheet that may be ruined in some places.

• Fold it in four and cut a small semicircle on the closed corner to create the neckline.
• Once opened, decide on the length and cut off the excess fabric.
• You leave the sides open for a kaftan effect, or sew them partially to create sleeves.

To finish things off without sewing, you can fray the bottom edges. If you prefer something more refined, you can use a pattern to create a specific design.

Crochet

If you're familiar with crochet, a particularly trendy idea is a crocheted beach cover-up . A crocheted mesh beach cover-up is easier than it seems, even for beginners. The most commonly used stitch for this type of project is the net stitch or lace stitch: you'll need a ball of cotton, a 3-4 mm crochet hook, and about 4-6 hours of work in total.

You can find free patterns online by searching for " crochet mesh beach cover-up free pattern ," or you can improvise with a basic mesh stitch. The result will be a unique piece that will rival those sold at the best clothing stores.

Old dress or skirt

A light dress you no longer wear, perhaps with a small flaw, can become the perfect cover-up. If it has a stain at the bottom, simply cut it and embellish it with fringe. If it's too short for a dress, wearing it over a swimsuit is ideal. Even long linen or viscose skirts, often discarded at the back of the closet, are perfect for repurposing as sarong-style cover-ups : open them along the side seam, add some ties at the ends, and you're done. Or, wear them as is, tucking the waist just above the bust, for a unique strapless cover-up.

With fabric scraps

If you have fabric scraps left over from other projects, you can sew them together to create an original and colorful patchwork cover-up. We recommend using lightweight fabrics of the same weight —cotton, linen, muslin—and joining them in horizontal strips or irregular squares. You don't need to be a sewing expert: even a straight stitch with a needle and thread (or sewing machine) will suffice.

Lace curtain

It may seem strange, but even an old lace curtain that you no longer like can, with a few cuts and stitching, become an elegant beach cover-up, perhaps reserved for summer evenings when you want to feel less "casual."

Read also:

• Old swimsuits: It's time to recycle the ones we no longer use.
• How to decorate swimsuits
• How to recycle beach towels and sarongs

Photo Credit Cover | Pavel Danilyuk via Pexels