| Discover how to sew a spa wrap or beach | | | | First stitch along the outer edge of the elastic and |
| cover-up with this simple sewing lesson. | | | | then go back and stitch along the inner edge of |
| Spa wraps are great gift ideas or bazaar items, | | | | the elastic also stretching as you sew. |
| too. | | | | If you prefer, you can sew a lightweight fabric |
| Sew spa wraps for all the men, women and | | | | casing to the wrong side of the towel and insert |
| children in your family. Everyone needs one. Use | | | | the elastic drawing it up to fit the size you want. |
| for after the shower, bath, or when you do your | | | | Cut two strips of hook and loop tape about 3" |
| hair or at the spa or pool or the beach. | | | | long. |
| Spa wraps have elasticized tops that can be worn | | | | Pin the rough (hook) side of one strip to the inside |
| above the bust or at the waist. | | | | edge of the overlap on top of the elastic. |
| Sewing a spa wrap is a quick and easy sewing | | | | Stitch around the hook tape to hold securely. |
| project. All you need is a beach towel, | | | | Pin the soft (loop) side of one strip to the outside |
| approximately 1-1/4 yards of 1 inch to 1-1/4 inch | | | | edge on the right side of the underlap. |
| wide sport sew through elastic and about 6 inches | | | | Stitch around that tape. |
| of hook and loop tape or large snaps. | | | | Now place the corresponding pieces of hook and |
| Here is the how to sew instructions. | | | | loop tape up against the stitched in place pieces of |
| First of all, make a decision about what you want | | | | tape. |
| to use to sew the spa wrap. Colorful beach | | | | Put the wrap on your body to help determine |
| towels are great to use as well as fabric. Your | | | | where to sew the corresponding pieces of tape. |
| choice may be based on what size you need the | | | | Pin those pieces where they should go and |
| spa wrap to be. | | | | unhook them from the stitched tapes. Remove |
| Smaller towels work well for small children. | | | | the wrap. |
| Lighter weight towels work better than heavier | | | | Stitch around these tapes where you have them |
| ones. They aren't as bulky to sew or wear and | | | | pinned. |
| also dry faster. | | | | WOW! You just made a spa wrap! |
| Sewing Tip: Always preshrink all fabrics including | | | | Now, for some designer touches, try these ideas: |
| towels before you sew. | | | | Add a large pocket cut from contrasting or |
| The average beach towel is about 62 inches long | | | | matching fabric or even mesh fabric on the front. |
| x 34 inches wide. Find some good bargains at | | | | Monogram or use one of your embroidery |
| your local flea market. | | | | designs on the pocket before applying it to the |
| The length of the beach towel will generally go | | | | wrap. |
| around most bodies with some over lap. If you | | | | You could bind the outer edges of towel with |
| need more, sew 2 towels together or add half a | | | | fabric to match the pocket. |
| towel. | | | | If you decide to bind the outer edges of the |
| Cut a piece of 1 inch to 1-1/4 inch wide sturdy | | | | towel, round the square corners first. It looks |
| sport sew through elastic to be about 2/3 of the | | | | better and is easier to bind. See the following |
| length of the towel or fabric that you are using. | | | | sewing tip to make a nice curve. |
| This depends on the stretch of the elastic. | | | | Sewing Tip: Lay a dinner plate down at the |
| Example: For a 62 inch long towel, cut the elastic | | | | corners of the towel lining up the edges of the |
| about42 inches long. | | | | plate with the edges of the towel. Draw the outer |
| Divide the towel and the elastic into eighths. First | | | | curve of the plate to get a very nice even curve. |
| fold in half, then again in fourths, then again in | | | | If you are using a plain towel, add a fun |
| eighths. These smaller sections are easier to | | | | embroidery design using instructions to embroider |
| handle at the sewing machine. | | | | on terry cloth to decorate your wrap. |
| Pin the elastic at the eighth marks to one long | | | | Applique a unique design on the spa wrap. |
| edge on the wrong side of the towel. | | | | If you prefer not to use hook and loop tape, use |
| Set your sewing machine for your largest and | | | | very large snaps or heavy duty gripper snaps to |
| longest zigzag stitch. | | | | hold the wrap closed. |
| As you stitch, stretch the elastic to fit each | | | | You are the designer! Have fun with it! |
| pinned section of the towel. | | | | It just makes sense! |