Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Beach Wrap with Pocket


Long, long ago, before my Pinterest boards were so full, I pinned this beach wrap. 

In these bygone days, Pinterest pins did not always link back to the original source so it took me until last week to realize that Victoria's Secret was the source of this fantastic idea.

When I started sewing a few months back, I didn't think I would ever attempt something I would wear in public, but it looked so easy, I was sure I could figure it out. 

This was not an easy project for me because I was having a bad brain day, so check out tutorials from Pia, DorandaDiary of a Mad Crafter, and all the other brilliant crafters in Pinterland.

I bought 2 yards of a stretchy jersey fabric. I only needed a yard and a half. A good rule of thumb I read was to buy enough to wrap around your body 1.5 times, or as long as your arms will stretch out. 

As you can see, I way overshot on how much fabric that I needed. My fabric cutter at the store advised that I cut the fabric so that the fabric stretch up and down (the way it would hang) rather that side to side so it hangs better. That also requires more fabric. Bummer. 


I ended up cutting a rectangle 60" wide by 30" high. I had a TON of fabric left over!

For the straps, I cut 6 1"x 22" strips. 

I braided two straps and secured the ends with tape. 

I used a zig zag stitch around the entire rectangle to give a finished looked. Some tutorials skip this step. 

Someone woke up from his nap at this point. He was still sleepy so he cuddled against me on my chair. 

For the straps, I measured 8 inches from the top of the wide part of the rectangle down. Some tutorials cut out a C-shape for armholes, but I didn't think it was necessary.

To attach the straps, I just used a straight stitch. Then, I cut off the taped part. 

At this point, the wrap is done...
Marissa was a lovely mannequin while I worked on this wrap.
...Except the one thing. I need a pocket for my key card when I'm at a hotel. So I made one. I used my park card as a template, and cut around it, leaving about an inch on all sides. 


Placement for the pocket will be different on everyone. I put on the wrap, and then pinned the pocket where I wanted it, by my right hip.

I wasn't too concerned about how the pocket was sewn on because it's completely covered up by the front of the wrap. 

All ready for the pool!


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16 comments:

  1. Wowza...what a fun wrap to wear to the beach. Thanks for your tips (did not know to work with the fabric the direction that it naturally hangs AND did not know that you should buy enough to wrap around 1.5 times). Your tutorial was brilliant, easy to follow with a touch of humor. I adored the picture of your son snuggled against you while you sew. I haven't attempted to make any clothes but you make it look so easy I just might have to try!

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    1. It'll make it's big beach debut in a few weeks! I'm glad to hear you understood my tutorial. It's really so much easier than I made it. As I'm sure I'll realize when I make one for Marissa. She was such a good sport about being a mannequin, I'm happy to make her one of her own! And if you can quilt the United Scraps of America, I'm sure you could make this in your sleep! :-)

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  2. I have this same wrap pinned! I totally forgot about it but now I think I definitely have to give your tutorial a try so I'll have something cute to wear out on the boat this summer! Visiting from HOH.

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    1. I think it would be great on a boat! Make it! You can do it!:-)

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  3. Haha, I pinned that same wrap ages ago! It was maybe the fourth thing I ever pinned right when I started on Pinterest, but I still haven't gotten around to making it. :-p Brilliant idea to make a pocket for your key cards! Thanks so much for sharing this at my link party!

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    1. lol...funny how those pins don't make themselves, right?

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  4. So cute! I love it! Good job for trying something you've pinned. I hope you share at Pinworthy Projects on Friday!

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  5. This is genius! Especially that nifty pocket addition. Way to go, Jen! This is cute AND practical considering the pool time you'll have on your upcoming trip. Orlando, ho!

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    1. Thanks! I'm looking forward to putting it to good use!

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  6. bad brain day or not you made it look easy :) . .i've seen this on pinterest so i'm glad it's not one of those pin fails (i've had too many of those)great job!

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    1. lol...I've had a few of those, too! I'm sure there's a secret to cutting large pieces of material. If I could figure that out, I would have saved myself a LOT of time!

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  7. What a fabulous idea! I want one!! =) Thanks for linking up with us!

    Danielle
    SewMuchCrafting.com

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    1. I bet with your experience, you could whip one out in 20 minutes!

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  8. Hi, Jen. Thank you for the link. I'm about to make another one for a friend and i will be adding a pocket. What a brilliant idea...thanks for sharing.

    Pia

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    1. You are welcome! Thanks for making such a great tutorial!

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