QUICK PROJECTS TO DO

Alice's Swim Cap

Goal:  What will be learned by this project?
Straight and zigzag stitching using the sewing machine, working with elastic, and working with stretchy type fabric.

Materials Needed:

	Scissors, tape measure, polyester thread
	Serger/sewing machine
	Scraps of nylon-lycra material large enough for cap pieces
	20 inches of 3/8 inch swimsuit elastic

Directions to make this project:

1. Cut two from pattern piece provided (a PDF file).       
   These are the side sections of the swim cap.   

2. Cut one center panel from the nylon-lycra, 17 inches X 2 1/2 inches.   The greatest stretch goes across the 2 1/2 inch width.

3. Pin the side sections to the center panel starting at the front with wrong sides together and stitch.  Use a 1/4 inch seam allowance and select a stretch stitch from a conventional sewing machine or use a three thread overlock stitch on a serger.

4. Stitch the elastic together, overlapping ends 1/2 inch.  Divide the elastic and the bottom of the cap into fourths and mark each quarter mark with a pin.   Match the quarter marks on the elastic to the quarter marks on the wrong side of the cap.

5. Sew the elastic to the cap.  Stretch the elastic to fit the cap while you sew.  Use a simple zigzag stitch, about 3 mm wide and 3 mm long.   Stitch on the outside edge of the cap and the elastic.  One stitch may go into the cap and the elastic and one may go just off the edge.
   
6. Turn the edge with the elastic to the inside of the cap, just the width of the elastic (the elastic will now be hidden) and top stitch through all layers to hold in place, stretching all layers as you sew.  Use a three step zigzag (about 1.5 mm long and 4 mm wide) on a conventional sewing machine, or a coverstitch on a serger.