Monday, July 6, 2009

"hip" cover up for girls

I think these are a brilliant idea. They're perfect for hiding underwear and muffin tops that are often visible with today's lose-rise jeans, without having to wear a t-shirt or tank. Unfortunately, these hip cover ups are for grown woman. Anyone with a tween daughter will know that younger girls could use this too. Why, oh why do clothing companies make low rise or ultra low rise pants for little girls? Sheesh! I didn’t want my sweetie showing the world her underwear every time she bent over so I decided to make one just for her.







"Hip" Cover Up Tutorial

Supplies:

*You will need a stretchy knit fabric. You can find this in the apparel section of your craft store or next to the dancewear fabric. I think I got mine for $3.99 a yard. I only bought half a yard and still had a ton left over.

*Stretchy sequins or lace (optional). My daughter wanted to make her cover up a bit snazzy so we also bought some stretchy sequin trim. You can also purchase stretch lace. The stretch part is really important. Regular lace and sequins will not work. The lace or sequins need to be able to expand over your child’s hips.

*Matching thread and sewing machine

Step One: Measure your child’s waist. My daughter’s waist was 23 inches. Then cut your fabric how tall you would like it. I used a good 10 inches. So my measurements were 23 inches by 10 inches.


Step Two: Cut your stretch lace or sequins one inch longer than your child’s waist measurement. I cut mine at 24 inches since my daughter's waist measurement was 23 inches. You can skip this step if you are not interested in adding this.

Step Three: Sew the two short sides together. I used my serger, but you can use a sewing machine. Be sure to use the appropriate needle for knit fabric.

Step Four: I left the top of the cover alone since it is a knit and will not fray. It may roll down a bit, but should be just fine left alone. You can fold it over and hem it if you like.

Step Five: Roll the bottom of the cover up ¼ to ½ inch (whatever you prefer) twice to make a nice hem. Pin in place. This is where you will attach your stretch lace or sequins so pin them down too, overlapping and tucking them in so you don't see the ends.


Step Six: With coordinating thread sew the hem and lace/sequins down.



Now layer it under a favorite tee. One simple cover up.


These are perfect for expectant moms who want to make a belly band so they can wear their normal jeans a little longer. . .

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53 Comments

53 Responses to “"hip" cover up for girls”

MMJ said...

What an awesome idea!!

Anonymous said...

fan-blooming-tastic!!! - I'm digging my sewing machine out now - this is the project it's been waiting for - bye bye muffin tops. :-)

amanda said...

This is a wonderful idea!! I think I will take your idea and make a few for myself and my daughter:) Thanks for sharing!!

Kelsee said...

I just found your blog and I love it! I am kind of upset that I didn't know how to make these before! I spent $30 a pop on my belly bands while I was pregnant this last time! Now I will know how to make them for the next time "gulp"!!!

Monica said...

This is an amazing idea. Or I think so atleast. LOL.

Thanks for sharing the tip.

Caeseria said...

Oh my gosh, I have got to make one of those!! Several, actually, so I'd always have at least one clean. I don't have a pants-riding-low problem, I have a shirts-that-inch-up problem. Thank you so much for sharing this!

Jennifer said...

I can't wait to make this for my pregnant self and all of the little girls I know. Thanks, LBS!

Anonymous said...

what a great idea! Thanks so much for the tutorial.

Tiffany said...

absolutely brilliant. As a middle school teacher, I can tell you, there is GREAT NEED for a product like this LOL! Who knew what these snake hipped girlies needed was just a skinny little belly band? (-: Now I just wonder if we could make them for the boys... HAHAHA!

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

Wow, what a great idea and a fun way to add color as well. I'll be linking.

LV said...

I love your idea. What really is needed is for the fellows. I do not understand how they can wear pants that way and not fall off.

Unknown said...

Cute idea!! I might need a few of those for myself. = )

~Kimberly said...

Super cute!

Ariane said...

I love this idea. Such a simple thing, but it makes an amazing difference. Thanks for sharing it with us. I will have to make some for myself and my daughter.

Cap Creations said...

Awesome Idea! I love it!

Screwed Up Texan said...

Such a great idea!

Unknown said...

Hi Little Birdie - This product has been on the market for a few years and is called the hip-T: Cover Your Assets. Toodle!

Laura KW said...

Brilliant idea! Now I need to learn to sew so I can make one in every colour of the rainbow. Then maybe my husband will stop calling me a plumber!

Mary said...

Great tutorial! I did something similar to avoid maternity clothes. It did a good job of covering the space where my pregnant belly was exposed. :-)

Donna said...

I'm totally making some for myself. I need one to cover-up my backside when my jeans are low-rise and I love the look! Thanks for sharing!

Brandy said...

I've purchased these before, I don't know why I never thought to just make my own. Thanks!

Melissa said...

Ooooo, this is great. I am going to make a plain white one for my four year old to wear under her pants and shirt. We can't find any pants that fit her in length, but will still stay up on her hips. This way her little crack won't always be smiling at the passerbys.

the undomesticated wife said...

I think I may make one of these for myself!

Casey said...

this is a fantastic idea!! my girls at 4 and 2 already have a problem with plumbers crack, I'll have to make a few of these

GINNA said...

I saw this on another site. They were selling it for $19.99 and there were only a few colours and patterns to choose from. Like you I thought I can make something up and I did. I took an old tight fitting tank and cut off the top portion and I was left wit a tube like the one you made for your daughter. It turned out really well. I will have to embelish with some trims like you did.

Anonymous said...

OH My Gosh!!!! This is the most fabulous idea!!!!! My 6 year old daughter has the HIGHEST waist I have ever seen, factor in the stupid low rise jeans made for kids and you can guess what is always showing! I am seriously going to make a few of these this week!!!! Thanks!!!! =)

michelle@somedaycrafts said...

I love these! I have two from blush, but want to make some of my own. Now I can. I am linking to this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

Shan Van said...

Great idea! i've heard of these for preggo women, but never thought of how great that would be for low rider pants...

Anne said...

Thank you so much for posting this tutorial!! My own daughter is getting ready to graduate into the bigger girls' sizes, and with that comes the super-low-rise pants.

I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-hip-solution-for-girls-low-rise-pants/2009/07/07/
--Anne

Lisa @ Life with 4! said...

That is so great!!! And it looks adorable.. nice job!!

Ruth said...

Perhaps we should also boycott low-rise pants until the manufacturers get the message?

Atticelf said...

No way! I've never heard of such a thing and LOVE it! Thanks so much for the tutorial. You ladies always have the best ideas!

Becky @ Babes in Hairland said...

Love it. Don't know if you remember them, but back when I was in jr. high we learned how to sew "units" - clothes out of stretchy fabric like you've used and they had thick "belts" like this that you'd scrunch up around your waist on top of your shirt made out of the stretchy fabric! Funny how things have changed and we're having to cover up everything now by doing wonderful things like this idea!

Corrie said...

I think I'll make some & pass them out downtown :-). Cute!

Jessica F said...

These are SOO cute!! I love them!

nicole said...

this is awesome. i have a bella band that i got while i was pregnant with my first child and wore it after i had him to hid my muffin top. i can't wait to make these in different colors.
thanks:)
nicole

Amber said...

Great idea!! It's amazing what companies make for children!! Do you know that they make low rise panties for 4 years olds??? I saw them at Walmart when I was shopping for my daughter. Amazing!!

Anonymous said...

love it! Can't wait to try it! One question - from a non-sew-er - what stitch do you use on a regular sewing machine that will allow for stretch (on the hem)? Probably a dumb question, but I really have no idea how to make a hem stretchy. Thanks!

Little Birdie Secrets said...

you can do an overcast stitch. You could also try a zig zag stitch if you don't have an overcast foot with your machine. Make sure you use ball point needles too.

Lori said...

PERFECT!!!! i'm going to buy some knit ToDaY.

Megan said...

Thank you, I am nursing a babe at the moment and showing everyone my stretched out "babybelly" and muffin top, not cool. I have some tankini nursing tops, but who wants to wear layers when it is 85 degrees outside. This is perfect.

Ruth said...

What a great idea. I will be making some up for my daughter. Thanks for sharing this.
Ruth

Anonymous said...

A friend and I were just talking about this problem with our girls' clothes a couple days ago. I will def be sharing this idea with her and maybe we will have a craft day next week! GREAT TUTORIAL OF A GREAT IDEA!!!

kat said...

they're also fabulous for for nursing mamas. you can lift your shirt to nurse, and not have your belly bared for all the world to see.

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Heather said...

Thanks for the tutorial. I like the way low cut pants feel but how they look is another matter! Made one for my five-year-old and hope to make one for myself soon.

Five Bloomin' Beauties said...

I'm so excited to have found this! I have 5 girls so it's a big help! Thanks a ton!

Lucy said...

What an awesome idea, I wonder if I could make a crochet or knit version?! hmmmm

Unknown said...

This is fantastic! I love it!! I am going to be making these for my 2 girls! there is no reason to have little girl clothes show off things they shouldn't! Thank you so much!

bb said...

I love your site! I have a question from a non sewer. Do I cut two pieces that are the 23x10 and sew those two together. Thank you

Cucicucicoo: Eco Crafting & Sewing said...

Amazing! I'd never seen those, but they really are genius! I will definitely be making some of these but probably from upcycled stretchy t-shirts. That way I don't even have to deal with hemming it! :) Lisa

Anu said...

beautiful idea.... have a bunch of denims lying around from my pre- pregnancy days... have lost weight but not enough to wear those low waist ones.... now i can wear them...yippee...and a bear hug to convey my thanks!

pasovasz said...

If we all banded together and told the jeans companies that we IWLL NOT BUY low rise jeans for ourselves and our kids, maybe the power of the Dollar would force them to make decent, comfortable jeans for us. I am 64 and overweight. Just think about that... BTW- the female figure SHOULD "bulge out" over the top of these low rise jeans- "muffintop" - because that's how women are built. Apparently, jeans designers do not know the difference between a male and a female shape!

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