Hooded Baby Towel

Intro: Hooded Baby Towel

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.

Comments

[junebug2]

I received one at a baby shower, and just made several exactly like it. The lady who gave me our first towel bought a whole roll of ribbon so that she could add ribbon along the outside edges of the towels (aka when the flaps are wrapped around the baby, you can see the ribbon). She also bought a wash cloth and put a strip of ribbon on that as well. Basically the ribbon hides one or more of the grooves that are on any store bought towel. I absolutely love the end result! The extra ribbon just adds to the cuteness factor!

[jeanjaz]

I'm making items for my daughter's hope chest and want to make a hooded baby bath towel. Have you ever done it with yardage?

[DeeB1944]

How do you keep seam from being in the middle?

[Michelle Roth]

I can't wait to try this!!!! Thanks so much, and you always get dibs at any shower we may both be attending (hahaha).

[TinyTraveller]

Seems easy enough, thank you for the easy to follow instructions. I was just looking at hooded towels at the store and they are way over priced for a towel that is any good.

[KathyB1]

Thank you so so so much! This is the first time I have ever posted on any site! This was the best. Your instructions were awesome! You made it so easy to follow...Thanks! Made this one for a baby shower and now can't wait to make some for my own Grand babies! You are AWESOME!

[analynvi]

I used your tutorial to make one for a baby shower this past weekend. Everyone loved it, including the mother-to-be. Thanks for the easy instructions. I will be making another for our baby that's on the way too. Love the ribbon addition. Wonder if we could make it look like a frog or lady bug somehow?

[sewphie]

Hi,
If you want to make it look like an animal, just add ears to the hood! I made a mousie for our daughter, she loves it!

[firefliie]

aaah! ohmygod lookit the baby it's SOOOOO CUUUTEEEE! i could just die right now aaah such a wittle baby ohmygoodness!

[c_leon805]

I LOVE IT I HAVE MADE SEVERAL HOODED TOWELS THEY MAKE GREAT BABYSHOWER GIFTS THANKS SO MUCH FOR MAKING IT SO EASY TO MAKE THEM!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

[1makerofstuff]

really cute, I made one with the point left on the hood for a "pool towel" for the neighbors five year old! Cute

[golfdaisy]

I have made this, and it is very cute. Good instructions.

[jlb2458]

These instructions are very well written-easily followed by a novice sewer. The photographs show the steps beautifully.

[timntek]

My sister will love this thanks so much.

[GorillazMiko]

Very cute job, I like the Winnie the Pooh part. Awesome job, you did a great job! :-)