Let’s get real. Bathing suits don’t always dry as quickly as we’d like them to, and sometimes we need to head to the bar before our bikini top has had time to stop dripping after an ocean dip. We all know what happens next: We put on a shirt and walk around with two big wet spots on our chest. Not cool! And seriously embarrassing. What works best to cover up a damp suit is a towel. That’s why today we’re making a beach towel cover-up that will encourage your suit to dry out while also providing you with a stylish poncho you’ll be thrilled to rock as you sip on a piña colada by the bar.
What’s more, all you need to make this comfy beachwear is two towels (perhaps last year’s) and a sewing machine. It’ll only take you 20 minutes from start to finish, which means more time for hanging on the shore. Read on for the details.
Materials and Tools:
— 2 beach towels
— measuring tape
— pins
— fabric scissors
— sewing machine
— matching thread
Instructions:
1. Start by laying one towel on top of the other, good sides facing in.
2. Measure 40 inches across the long end (we recommend starting this measurement a few inches in from one side) and pin, or make a mark with tailor’s chalk.
3. Starting at one end of the 40-inch measurement, draw an arch that ends at the other side of the 40-inch measurement. This will create a large half-oval shape. Try to use as much of the towel as possible. The width of the towel (the short side) will be the length of your poncho and you most likely want it to cover your booty!
4. Find the center of the 40-inch measurement (20 inches). Then mark four inches on each side (so one mark at 16 inches and another at 24 inches).
5. Then mark a 9-inch perpendicular line starting at the 20-inch mark. Draw a line from the 16-inch mark to the 9-inch mark and then a second one from the 24-inch mark to the 9-inch mark to create a triangle. Cut this out on one towel only to create a V-neck.
6. Add pins along the 40-inch edge to keep the two towels together.
7. Sew along the pinned edge, then open up your poncho so that it’s a large oval. Fold over all cut edges and hem.
8. Lay the poncho down right side out. Measure and mark 12 inches down from the shoulder and about six inches in from the side. Pin and sew a four-inch stitch (through both towels) perpendicular to the shoulder. Repeat on the other side. This will create arm holes.
We kept both towels facing upright when we stacked them, but I would recommend turning the bottom one over. You’ll need 40 inches of fabric for the top of the poncho, so mark the best section of the towel (depending on its design).
Cut out both towels, creating a half-oval shape. The straight line at the bottom of the photo is your 40-inch measurement.
Find the center of the 40-inch measurement (20 inches). Then mark four inches on each side (so one mark at 16 inches and another at 24 inches). Then mark a 9-inch perpendicular line starting at the 20-inch mark. Draw a line from the 16-inch mark to the 9-inch mark and then a second one from the 24-inch mark to the 9-inch mark to create a triangle. Cut this out on one towel only to create a V neck. Next, make sure the good sides of your towel are facing each other (if they aren’t already), and add pins along the 40-inch edge.
Sew along the 40-inch edge and then open up your poncho so that it looks like a giant oval and hem the rounded sides and the V neck. Turn your poncho right side out. Finally, measure and mark 12 inches down from the shoulder and about six inches in from the side. Pin and then sew a four-inch stitch (through both towels) perpendicular to the shoulder. Do the same thing on the other side. This will create arm holes and keep your poncho looking chic.
There you have it!
Not only will this poncho help you dry off, it will also keep you warm if there’s a breeze at the beach (there almost always is in SF!).
So much better than trying to wrap a towel around you like a dress or skirt!
