16 DIY Swimsuit Cover-Ups

By
Mollie Johanson
Mollie Johanson
Mollie Johanson
Mollie Johanson is a professional needlecrafter with over 10 years of hands-on embroidery, sewing, and knitting experience. She is the author of “Stitch Love: Sweet Creatures Big & Small." Mollie also designs and sells stitching projects, co-hosts a crafting podcast, and has taught online embroidery courses.
Learn more about The Spruce Crafts' Editorial Process
Updated on 07/26/22
DIY PomPom-Trimmed Swim Cover-Up

Make It & Love It

Whether you want to add extra coverage or flair to your swimwear, or maybe a bit of both, these DIY swimsuit cover-ups are just what you need. No matter what type of crafting you do, you can find a tutorial to make for your next trip to the beach or pool. Some of these styles take a little planning, but others come together in minutes.

Here are 16 options for DIY swimsuit cover-ups.

  • 01 of 16

    Crochet a Beachy Dress

    Crocheted Del Mar Beach Dress With Stripes

    Love Crafts

    Perfect for a pool party, the Del Mar Beach Dress slips on over a swimsuit while still looking dressed up. This intermediate pattern features a racerback and a touch of sparkle in the suggested yarn. Plus, it's written in both U.S. and U.K. crochet terms.

    Del Mar Beach Dress from Love Crafts

  • 02 of 16

    Sew a Custom Rash Guard

    DIY Women's Rash Guard Sewing Tutorial

    Sewing Rabbit

    Protect yourself from the sun with this DIY rash guard. This tutorial is a great way to add some coverage to your favorite two-piece swimsuit. Choose a UPF sun-protectant fabric that matches your suit to stay safe and fashion-conscious.

    Women's Rash Guard DIY from Sewing Rabbit

  • 03 of 16

    Sew a Simple Caftan

    4-Seam Summer Caftan Sewing Tutorial

    Thriftanista in the City

    Caftans are breezy for hot summer days. And they're easy to throw on over your swimwear when it's time to leave the pool. This gorgeous no-pattern, four-seam design from Troy at Thriftanista in the City includes some almost-hidden sewing that adds a bit of fit and prevents it from looking like a tent.

    Easy Four-Seam Summer Caftan from Thriftanista in the City

  • 04 of 16

    Knit a Hooded Cardigan Cover-Up

    Opportune Hooded Knit Cardigan Swim Cover-Up

    Knitty

    Make this adorable cover-up cardigan vest with a simple lace pattern that's easy to learn. The free pattern features a tie front and loose hood that is a nice detail. Plus, the design comes in seven sizes to fit many body types.

    Cardigan Knitting Pattern from Knitty

    Continue to 5 of 16 below.
  • 05 of 16

    Sew a Gauzy Gathered Cover-Up

    Gauzy Swim Cover-Up

    Shwin & Shwin

    Shwin & Shwin shows you how to make this simple cover-up in any size, from kids to adults. All you need to do is take a few measurements, cut simple shapes, and sew. A casing at the waist lets you gather and tie the front closed, and lightweight fabric keeps you cool and dry.

    DIY Swim Cover from Shwin & Shwin

  • 06 of 16

    Sew a Poolside Dress

    Super Simple Swimsuit Cover-Up

    Polka Dot Chair

    For when you want a cover-up that's also a dress you can wear all summer, check out this tutorial from Polka Dot Chair. It starts with a T-shirt dress design that's self-drafted (and easy to make in any size), skips the sleeves, and adds a drawstring. Simple and cute!

    Simple Swimsuit Cover-Up Tutorial from Polka Dot Chair

  • 07 of 16

    Cut and Tie a T-Shirt Cover-Up

    No-Sew Tie-Dye T-shirt Swim Cover-Up

    Tulip Tye Dye

    If sewing isn't your thing, this tutorial shows you how to transform a tie-dye T-shirt into a cute cover-up. With a few cuts and a bit of fusible tape, you'll create a cover-up that would even be fun to wear as a top or festival dress.

    No-Sew T-Shirt Swim Cover-Up from Tulip Tie Dye

  • 08 of 16

    Sew a Circle Swim Poncho

    DIY Sewn Circle Swimsuit Cover-up With Fringe

    A Beautiful Mess

    Cute fabric is on display when you make this circular, poncho-like cover-up. Laura at A Beautiful Mess shows you how to draft the large circle pattern and add fringe for playful poolside style. The whole project takes only about an hour or two.

    Circle Swimsuit Cover-Up DIY from A Beautiful Mess

    Continue to 9 of 16 below.
  • 09 of 16

    Crochet a Summer Swim Wrap

    Crocheted Sunset Beach Wrap With Fringe

    Just Be Crafty

    Wear this crocheted wrap to the beach, and then add it to your favorite dress for an evening out. The lacy pattern and fringed edge are easy details that make this a fun and special piece. And with chunky T-shirt yarn, it's a quick project that you'll love.

    Sunset Beach Wrap Crochet Pattern from Just Be Crafty

  • 10 of 16

    Crochet a Breezy Cover-Up

    Crocheted Easy Breezy Swim Cover With High-Low Hem

    Megmade With Love

    Grab your hook, and crochet this easy and stylish swim cover. As designer Meg says, it's basically a giant rectangle with a hole in the middle. But with a combination of basic crochet stitches and a few puff stitches, there's nothing simple about the look.

    Easy Breezy Swim Cover from Megmade With Love

  • 11 of 16

    Sew a Fun Trimmed Cover-Up

    DIY Pom Pom-Trimmed Swim Cover-Up

    Make It & Love It

    Tiny pompoms can be an incredibly fun detail, and that's certainly true of this sweet elastic-waist cover-up. Ashley from Make It & Love It made the gauze tunic for her daughter. But she tells you how to measure it for any size. It's quick to sew and comfy to wear.

    DIY Pompom Swim Cover-Up from Make It & Love It

  • 12 of 16

    Knit a Beachy Tunic

    Knitted Beach Cover-Up

    Patons

    Knit and purl a cozy cover-up with this free pattern from Patons. The suggested yarn, which varies in weight through the skein, is no longer available, but it's worth making a few gauge swatches to work out a substitute yarn. If you don't plan on getting this too wet, you could even swap in some 100% cotton.

    Beach Cover-Up Knitting Pattern from Patons

    Continue to 13 of 16 below.
  • 13 of 16

    Sew an Easy Swimsuit Cover

    No-Pattern Easy Sew Striped Beach Cover-Up

    Mood Fabrics

    Mood Fabrics, known for its frequent appearances on Project Runway, has more than just a store filled with amazing fabrics. It also has a blog that's filled with sewing projects for you to try. This easy swim cover-up doesn't require a pattern, and you can even wear it as a poncho with a pair of jeans and sandals.

    Sewing a Swimsuit Cover-Up Without a Pattern from Mood Fabrics

  • 14 of 16

    Sew a Simple Beach Dress

    Easy-Sew Beach Cover With Gathered Back

    Gina Michele

    With just a bit of easy sewing, you can make this cover-up that still shows off some skin. The design doesn't even require a pattern to make. Designer Gina Michele has more beach-friendly tutorials too, including her no-sew knotted T-shirt dress.

    Easy Beach Dress from Gina Michele

  • 15 of 16

    Sew and Paint a Doughnut Caftan

    DIY Sewn and Painted Donut Caftan

    Studio DIY

    Want to wear your favorite treat but can't find the right fabric? Studio DIY shows you how to make your own caftan and paint it with a fun doughnut print. While you're there, be sure to look for the matching doughnut hat. Now all you need is a doughnut pool float!

    DIY Donut Caftan from Studio DIY

  • 16 of 16

    Crochet a Duster Style Cover-Up

    Sandbar Cardi Crochet Pattern

    TL Yarn Crafts

    The rest of the cover-ups on this list have free patterns and tutorials, but this one is too good to leave off, even though it does have a small cost ($7.50). The Sandbar Cardi is a long, crocheted duster with elbow-length sleeves. With minimal pieces and seaming, it isn't difficult to make but looks fantastic. Plus, you can wear it over a swimsuit or with your favorite jeans.

    Sandbar Cardi Crochet Pattern from TL Yarn Crafts