12.08.2008

How to make a hooded towel

My sister's baby shower was this past weekend and as I searched for gifts, I realized that I had no easy task. She is having a boy, and is incorporating sock monkeys as the theme for his room. Sock monkey items seem to be growing in popularity, but there still isn't too much out there. Combine this lack of selection with the fact that my sister is one of the most accomplished shoppers I know, and I realized that there was little opportunity for me to pick up something that she wouldn't have already grabbed herself.

Solution? Homemade items!

I decided to make a hooded towel using sock monkey colors - red and chocolate brown.


First, I purchased a fluffy brown towel (I never understood why infant towels are always so thin!) and a red hand towel from Target.

The width of the towel was 30"; I cut both ends, creating a 30" square. Then, I cut a right triangle out of the hand towel, which will be the hood. I apologize for not measuring; I was just making this up as I went. But, I basically made the triangle large enough to fit over an infant's head. 


To personalize the towel, I cut my nephew's first initial out of coordinating cotton.


Then, I appliqued it to the hood using a zig-zag stitch.


Extra-wide quilt binding was the easiest solution to completing the edges. I first sewed along the bottom of the triangle.


Then after pinning the hood to the towel, I sewed binding all the way around.


This project was quick and easy, and accomplished my task of giving a unique item.

23 comments:

AmyDe said...

Very nice! What a great idea to stow away. I never understood those little thin terry baby towels either. Sure they are soft, but you end up soaked! Great solution.

Tricia said...

Cute towel! I've got a few upstairs tucked away for this very reason...but I like yours and think I'll scrap the other project and make these instead! Thanks for sharing!

Alicia @ Oh2122 said...

This is a great idea!

I so want to ty it out for my next baby shower gift!

Pam said...

So adorable and I would never have thought it would be so easy! I say that but wait unitl I try, it might not be so easy! You just make it look easy.
Pam

boysmum2 said...

Once again you make something look so simple and easy. I love this, so cute, just wish I had someone to make one for!

Anonymous said...

What a great idea!

Anonymous said...

This is such an awesome idea!

Misty said...

Very cute! I just did a hooded towel tutorial but it was more a toddler size. I have made 5 so far for Christmas!

Meredith said...

Super cute! I've been wanting to do one of these. We did a Sock Monkey birthday party for my son's first birthday. I had to be creative finding decorations, but it turned out really cute. I'm sure your sister's nursery is going to be adorable.

Christy said...

I just made a hooded towel for a babyshower last week! I really love the idea of using a regular bath towel rather than the thin non-drying ones that are pre-made.....yours turned out quite cute :)

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

This is AWESOME! I love it! I'll be linking.

Jenny and the Princess Peonies said...

So Stinkin' Cute!!

Sherri said...

What a great gift idea!

Shilo said...

Amazing! I have GOT to learn how to sew!

LisaDuvall said...

I have to say I got these when my twins were born and we still use them to this day (6 years later). They're a wonderful gift and I'm sure she'll love them!!

Kristen said...

Very cute! I've also wondered why infant towels are so thin - poor little cold babies after a bath need a nice thick towel! I'm copying this idea- thanks!

Jessi Woods said...

I love the towels. They are adorable. I have been looking for something to make for the younger kiddos. Last spring, I saw a great episode of Martha Stewart where she made superhero cape towels. I have given them as gifts for the past year. The mommas love them and the kids, too. Anyway, you might check them out. They are great for toddlers, boy or girl.

Jessi Woods said...

Oops, I forgot to leave you the link for the Superhero Cape Towels! http://www.marthastewart.com/article/superhero-cape-towels-with-hosanna
Merry Christmas!!

Jodi said...

great job - so enjoyed finding your site last night...I've been reading backwards (can you tell? LOL)

Naomi said...

Thank you so much for this! It has been saved in my bookmarks as I knew I would need it some day and today is the day!

I'll be making one for a friends brand new little girl born this morning to add to a few other little gifts I have and another one for my SIL who is due in 4 weeks!

Unknown said...

This is good for adults too. So cozy.

For kids you can add ears and applique eyes to the hood to make it an animal hoodie.

Chelle said...

My first time using binding, first time to applique and I didn't even follow instructions to the letter (or use pins lol) I'm doomed if I expect professional results! It was fun and hopefully the baby will enjoy it for his first birthday and for a while after... Thank you so much for your blog and inspiration!!!!

Maggie said...

I tried this today & I have to say it turned out pretty good although I used fabric to trim everything instead of binding & it took far longer than I thought to get it done but it was so cute! Thanks for the tutorial it was just what I was looking for. I also used a washcloth instead of a handtowel & it still turned out perfect.