DIY Network

Mesh Cover-Ups Fish for compliments with these mesh cover-ups. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-207

Michele Beschen shows how to make a mesh skirt cover-up.

Fishnets aren't just for stockings: Fishnet beach cover-ups, made from actual fishnets, are great to slip into when you want an ultra-light wrap that lets some sun and breeze through. Michele Beschen whips up these skirt-style cover-ups in a snap; it's a great way to B. Original with nylon netting.

This cool and breezy cover-up is perfect for the beach or poolside—especially since the durable nylon stands up great to water and sunlight. It's also a snappy wrap to wear over jeans. A few quick modifications, and you can use the same techniques to create a matching mesh top. Scroll down for Michele Beschen's easy how-to.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Mesh Cover-Up

Materials:

1/2" nylon mesh
nylon twine
scissors
netting needle
2" piece of wood or metal
ribbons, large beads and other embellishments

• Wrap the mesh around your waist and look in the mirror. Move and adjust the mesh so you have a good idea of how it hangs, then determine how large a piece of mesh you need for a skirt wrap.

• Lay the mesh flat to cut to size.

• Tie off a top corner of the mesh to a solid object such as a doorknob.

• Wrap nylon twine around the netting needle and cut from the ball of twine. Tie two half-hitch knots to secure the free end of the twine to the top mesh for the skirt's seam (figure A).

• Use the netting needle to stitch the two edges together to form the skirt, tying a half-hitch knot for each pair of meshes you connect (figure B).

• To create decorative loops at the bottom of the skirt, use a 2" piece of wood or metal as a spacer. Attach nylon twine at the bottom of the skirt with two half-hitch knots, then wrap the twine once around the spacer and tie the twine to the skirt again. Repeat all the way around the bottom edge of the skirt (figure C).

• Use the same stitching techniques to create a mesh cover-up top (figure D). These can be worn loose over swimwear or layered over T-shirts.
  

  Figure D

  Figure E

  
  

• Use ribbons for ties (figure E), and beads or clip-on earrings as embellishments for the cover-ups. There's no real limit to what you can do with nylon mesh if you use your imagination.