Hooded Towel Tutorial

Several months ago, Jill highlighted a collection of DIY Baby Necessities for Under $60. Included in that collection was the Hooded Towel - something that Joanne has made for all of our kids and that we LOVE. So here, finally, is the tutorial for making your own kids' hooded towels. 




The combined total of hooded towels used by members of The Sisterhood is 13, and we all love them!  These practical towels are very economical and fairly simple to make.  I have created the pattern for these by mimicking a towel I received as a shower gift when I was expecting my now-six-year-old, Elizabeth (who still uses that towel).

Supplies:

• 1 bath towel (I use the "Big One" brand from Kohl's)
• 1 wash cloth
• 1/4 yard coordinating soft flannel (for me, on sale and with a coupon at JoAnn's)
• matching thread

Step 1: Project Preparation

Pre-wash the towel, washcloth, and flannel.

Step 2: Trim Work Preparation

Iron the strip of flannel, trimming the frayed edges of the fabric to create clean edges.  Cut the fabric in half longways (which creates two long strips approximately 4 inches wide each).  Finish edges of the fabric by pressing 1/2 inch to the back side of the fabric.  This will create two 3 inch strips of fabric to trim the towel and washcloth.

Step 3: Trim Work Sewing

Pin a strip of fabric to the towel on each end, a few inches from the edge of the towel (I just line it up with the decorative edge located a few inches from the edge of the "Big One" towel).   Trim the excess fabric (one piece which should be long enough to trim the washcloth).  Fold approximately 1/2 inch of fabric under on each end to create a hem all the way around the trim fabric. Sew strip of fabric in place.  I have used straight or zigzag stitching for this step.

Step 4: Hood Trim

Pin one of the excess trim pieces to the washcloth, approximately 1-2 inches from the edge. Sew in place.

Step 5: Hood Preparation

Fold washcloth as pictured (trimmed edge facing in).

Step 6: Hood Sewing

Sew along edges shown to create the hood part of the towel.  Be sure to open up the washcloth so that the back does not get sewn into the seams you are creating in the front.  I like to reinforce these edges with some extra zig-zagging as these seams get a little extra pull when the towel is being worn.  

Turn hood right side out.

Step 7: Towel Preparation

Pin gathers in the top of the towel as pictured in the center top of the towel.  There are four gathers, each 2 inches wide, with some space in the middle.  The entire length of the gathers combined equals 12 inches.  These gathers cause the towel to wrap around the child's shoulders nicely.

Step 8: Project Completion

Pin hood to towel as pictured above.  The length of the gathers and the width of the washcloth should be about the same.  Position the bottom of the washcloth approximately one inch overlapping the gathered towel.  Sew the washcloth to the towel by stitching along the top edge of the towel and following around the bottom edge of the washcloth.  I reinforce this sewing by a second run of zig-zag stitches.  Be sure to remove all pins. 

Stay tuned for Jill's tutorial on soft Luvy blankets.

Joanne for the Sisterhood