Navy + White Stripe Hooded Swim Dress

We finally got back to the beach last weekend! I think that’s what I missed most during the shutdown. Just in time too- since they’re shutting down again for the 4th of July as our covid numbers are ever increasing here in Florida. The beach and ocean were full of seaweed but it was still lovely to be back out in nature and get some swimming in. The beach we go to is in the state park in Dania so it’s always quiet and peaceful. The kids had a blast climbing rocks and playing on their boogie boards. Plus I got to finally wear this swim dress I made a few months ago!

I drafted this simple hooded dress off my knit sloper with a bit of extra ease at the waist and hip. I wanted an easy pullover dress with a hood and extra large pockets to pick up seashells. The bottom front is actually a separate panel with a finished upper edge that was inserted into the side seams. I then topstitched the pocket shapes. It made them a bit sturdier and I took extra time to pattern match.

The neckline has a yoke facing that was sewn down to the inside for a clean finish. I bound off the inside seam of the hood which makes it really clean and soft and added two small loops to the inner front neck that hold a cord to tighten the hood and can be loosened when worn down. I added a bit of extra length to the sleeve for hand coverage from the sun.

All The Details:

Fabric-

Navy/White Stripe Brushed Activewear (3 yds) (OOS)

Fashion Fabrics Club

This knit has a brushed feel that is really soft and is a bit more weighty than swim fabric but works well for this dress. I’m looking forward to wearing this year round. It will be great as a regular dress in winter but works for some extra sun coverage as well in the summer.

I made Ami (9) the cutest mini Cottesloe bikini with some added tie wraps that she just loves in navy and black. Right now I’m working on drafting some new bikinis for myself and working on a new rashguard for Nigel(11). I may make one for myself after I see how it fits. He’s getting a men’s small (I can’t believe we’re almost the same size now! We wear the same shoe size too now-and I wear a 10.)

I’ve been super busy with work again this week which is great. Looking forward to the long weekend even more now! Vic is taking off a few extra days so some days to relax will be wonderful! Hope you all have a wonderful-and safe- holiday weekend! Back soon with more makes. Happy Sewing!