Get ready to rock the pool or beach with this breezy Pattern DIY Swimsuit Cover Ups tutorial that uses our free printable iron-on template in a flamingo, eye and leaf print!

DIY poolside pattern kimonos - sugar & cloth

Summer is here, and it’s time to hit the beach or pool in style! But who wants to be stuck in a boring cover-up? Ditch the bulky towels and uninspired throws!

After being on the hunt for the perfect swim suit cover up that didn’t have fringe longer than my entire body or overly weird florals from top to bottom, we finally decided to make our own.. or more like hack and personalize our own.

This tutorial shows you how to create a chic and breezy swimsuit cover-up in under an hour. No complicated sewing skills are required!

This project is perfect for beginners thanks to our free downloadable patterns. In just a few simple steps, you’ll be ready to lounge poolside or stroll along the beach with confidence and effortless style.

Once you’ve printed the designs onto fabric transfer sheets, it’s really as easy as cutting them out and ironing them on. That said, we DO have some tips that we learned along the way.

And if you’re feeling extra sassy, accessorize with a bright retro floral DIY floppy hat, pom pom tassel DIY circle bag with any Amazon women’s swimsuit!

Table of Contents

Materials and Tools Needed

Swim suit cover up — The ones that we used for this particular project are sold out. However, you can find similar ones here with kimono sleeves, here with a half sleeve, and here in pink. Lightweight fabrics like chiffon or gauze work well). Ensure the fabric is free of wrinkles and any tags are removed before you start.
Heat transfer paper for light fabrics — Choose a heat transfer paper brand with good opacity for better visibility on the sheer fabric. We used about 3 1/2 sheets of paper per swimsuit cover up.
Computer with printer
Fabric scissors
Parchment paper — Optional
Iron and ironing board
Printable flamingo pattern
Printable eye pattern
Printable leaf pattern

** Downloads are for personal use only and are not to be redistributed or sold.

How to Make a Pattern DIY Swimsuit Cover Up

1 — Print the pattern on the heat transfer sheets. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for using your heat transfer paper. Most will involve mirroring your design before printing to ensure it appears correctly once transferred.

2 — Cut out the designs as close to the edges as possible. By doing so, it gives a far better outcome as far as avoiding the crafty-looking clear transfer border.

3 — With the heated iron, transfer the patterns onto the swimsuit cover up. Optional (check your paper brand instructions): Cover the design with parchment paper for added protection.

Firmly press the iron onto the design area for the designated time, applying even pressure. We ironed our designs for about 30 seconds longer than the instructions suggested, and it worked MUCH better.

4 — Carefully peel off the heat transfer paper backing sheet while the design is still warm. You don’t get the weird glossy edges if you do so before the sheet cools.

Tutorial Notes and Tips

Layout your desired design placement before ironing on the patterns. This will save you a lot of time and give you a good indication of how many sheets you need to print.
Be gentle while peeling the heat transfer paper backing to avoid damaging the design.
Don’t be afraid to personalize further! Add a decorative trim around the edges, tie a belt at the waist, or embellish with lightweight fabric flowers.

More DIY Projects and Ideas

We’re so excited to start wearing our cover up poolside! How about you? What are your plans for styling your new DIY kimono? For more pool and beach DIY’s, check out a few of our favorite below —