Introduction: Hooded Baby Towel

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I'm sharing this tutorial under one condition. If you and I are ever going to the same baby shower, I get to give them the towel! wink, wink

I like these so much better than most store bought baby towels. They're cheaper to make, averaging around $10 per towel, and they're much bigger, thicker and softer. My almost six year old is still using his and loves it.

They're nice a big for babies and easily fit a two year old or four year old.

*I hope you can see the pictures all right. I took them several years ago and they're a little dark!*

Materials:

Oversized bath towel
Hand towel (one hand towel will make two hooded towels)
Ribbon, at least 1.5” wide
Thread
Rotary cutter and mat (optional)

Step 1: Cut Hand Towel

Cut hand towel in half (I prefer using a rotary cutter and mat)

Step 2: Fold Edge

With wrong side facing you, fold 2.5 inches of finished edge up.

Step 3: Cut and Pin Ribbon

Cut ribbon long enough so it extends a half inch past each side of towel.
Pin ribbon in place over finished edge.

Step 4: Sew Ribbon On

Starting with bottom edge of towel, straight stitch both long sides of ribbon to towel, stitching as close to ribbon edges as possible. To avoid puckering in the ribbon start the stitching from the same side for both edges.

Step 5: Fold Towel

Fold right sides of hand towel together, matching edges.

Step 6: Sew Raw Edges

Straight stitch along matched raw edges of towel, using a 5/8 inch seam allowance.
Zigzag in seam allowance to reinforce the seam you just made or use a serger.

Step 7: Open Hood

Open out towel to form a point. Wrong side should be facing you and the seam you just sewed will be running down the middle.

Step 8: Sew Across the Point

Measure 2.5 inches from top point and sew a straight seam across. (I just estimate this seam)

Step 9: Zigzag

Zigzag in seam allowance to reinforce (or use a serger)

Step 10: Cut Off Point

Cut off point above zigzag.

Step 11: Find Center

Find center of bath towel.

Step 12: Match Edges

With right sides together, match seam in hood and center of bath towel.

Step 13: Pin

Pin along finished edges

Step 14: Sew Hood to Towel

Using 5/8 inch seam, straight stitch hood to towel (this seam will catch ribbon excess).
Zigzag seam to reinforce.

Step 15: Trim

Trim ribbon excess and voila!

If I'm giving the towel as a gift, I like to roll it up and tie it with another ribbon and attach a gift tag. You may also want to wash the towel and trim any frayed edges before giving.