Hooded Towels

This post is dedicated to my friend Lia who thinks that I am crafty. I wanted to make some big hooded toddler size towels and couldn't find a pattern that was simple and looked cute, so I combined several ideas and here they are complete with detailed instructions!

Supplies - two bath towels, one hand towel, 1" ribbon or wider (2 9ft rolls), thread, sewing machine

Cost - ~ $12 (depending on the towel quality, I got mine for 3.50 at Walmart)

Time - about 1 hour

Makes two hooded towels

Before starting wash and dry towels

Step 1 - Fold hand towel in half vertically (hot dog style). Cut along fold.


Step 2 - Stitch ribbon along long finished edge of towel. Use ribbon like binding tape, stitching one side on then turning towel over, folding ribbon around the edge and stitching other side. Be sure to fold ribbon under on the ends before stitching so that is doesn't fray.

Step 3 - Fold towel in half horizontally (hot dog style) with wrong sides out. Serge or zig stitch along side opposite and running parallel to ribbon. If your hand towel has a stripe across it, be careful about matching stripes up.

Step 4 - Stitch a hood shaped curve along stiched edge. If you don't have a surger use a wide zig zag and then trim excess.
Pull right sides out and you can see your hood!

Step 5 - Now to measure for placement of the hood. Fold large bath towel in half horizontally (hamburger style). Lay flattened, hood along the top folded edges of towel with folded seams aligned and mark where hood ends with straight pin.
Step 6 - Stitch ribbon onto top edge of bath towel (just like you did with the hood) starting at end and working toward the pin. Make sure to stop and finish ribbon at the pin marking where the hood should be attached.
Step 7 - Lay towel out flat, with hood slightly overlapping in center of towel (matched up with the end of stiched on ribbon). Secure hood in place with straight pins.
Step 8 - Stitch hood on using a three stitch wide zig zag. Before completely stitching the hood slip ribbon under to match up with hood ribbon and continue stiching ribbon on. (See pictures above and below). As before, stitch one side then flip towel over, fold ribbon and stitch other side. Don't forget to fold under the ends of ribbon to finish.

And you are done! Was that clear as mud? You have an adorable toddler size hooded towel. Now just repeat all the steps with the remaing half of your hand towel and second bath towel and you have matching towels. My favorite combo is the white towel with red and white polka dot ribbon pictures at the top. You could also use more ribbon and trim the whole towel - which would be darling but require a bit more time and expense.