Beach Cover-Up: My Solana Dress Recap

If you've been following along on social media, you might have already seen this one — my red and white striped terry cloth beach dress that I am going to wear constantly this summer. It's the Solana Dress by @sewingwithsolana, and it is completely free to download.

The Fabric

This project actually started with the fabric, not the pattern — which I know is maybe up for debate as the "right" way to do things, but here we are. One afternoon I wandered into a fabric store and immediately locked eyes with this red and white striped terry cloth. I knew I had to have it and make something for the beach. The only question was what.

I went back and forth between making a shorts and crop top set versus a dress. I started browsing online for inspiration and kept coming across sewing creators who had made towel dresses, and something about the look just clicked for me. Once I decided on a dress, I went looking for a free pattern that matched the relaxed, easy silhouette I had in mind. The Solana Dress checked every box — simple construction, a fit that would work over a swimsuit or on its own, and a vibe that felt very "actual beach outfit" rather than "thing I throw on over my swimsuit and immediately take off."

One thing to know going in: terry cloth is a bit grabby and can be fiddly to sew. I'd recommend using plenty of pins and taking it slow at the curves. It's not hard, just requires a little patience.

The Sewing Process

The pattern came together faster than I expected — probably an afternoon of actual sewing once I had everything cut out. The pockets are my favorite part. Functional pockets on a dress? Always a win.

The pattern instructions were clear and beginner-friendly, so if you're newer to garment sewing, this would be a great project to try. One decision I had to make was how to finish the armholes and neckline — I debated between a folded hem and bias tape, and ultimately decided that bias tape would be easier to manage with the terry cloth. Then came another small debate: white bias tape or red? I went with red for a little pop of color, and I'm glad I did. That said, going around the curves cleanly was genuinely tricky — getting the bias tape to lie flat without rippling was harder than I expected, and I'll be honest, I never quite got it perfect. It's one of those things that bothers me more than anyone else would ever notice, but I'm noting it here for anyone who attempts this: go slow, use clips, and have patience with yourself.

Would I Make It Again?

Yes — already planning a navy linen version for later this summer. The Solana Dress is one of those patterns where you finish it and immediately start thinking about all the other fabrics you could use. It sews up quickly, looks polished, and honestly gets compliments every time I wear it.

Have you made the Solana Dress or something similar? I'd love to see it — tag me on Instagram @DesignsbyERB.