Did everyone have a Merry Christmas?
I sure hope so!
I have a 7 month old and since babies don’t really understand Christmas, I tried not to break the bank this year on his presents. But as a mom, I had to have some presents for him to “open”. 
One of them was this Hooded Towel.
He is getting a bit too big for his baby towel, so it was time to make a bigger hooded towel for him.
(My two-year-old is the one modeling the towel in the picture. And after all the candy and sleeplessness, that is the best picture I could get. )
These towels are the easiest to make and kids love them!
And with all of The Ribbon Retreat’s ribbon, fabric, and trims,
your embellishment possibilities are endless!
- Supplies –
Towel
Hand Towel
Ribbon, Fabric, or Trims
Scissors
Coordinating Thread
(I used white to sew my ribbon and red to sew the towel.)
The first step is to get your hand towel and fold it in half like a “hamburger”.
Then cut down the fold.
Discard one half.
Next we will cut our ribbon.
Lay your ribbon across the edge of the towel, add a few inches, and cut.
We will seal our ends after the ribbon is sewn on the towel.
You will need three strips of ribbon.
One for the hood, and two for the edges of the large towel.
The ribbon will go on the edges that will be wrapped around the child.
I put my ribbon about one inch away from the edge.
Pin your ribbon on the towel and then sew all the way around the ribbon.
Be sure to back stitch.
You will do this on the hand towel (the hood) and on both sides of the large towel.
Once you’re done sewing on the ribbon, trim the edges of the ribbon and seal.
Here is how the hand towel will look when the ribbon is sewn on.
Next we will make the hood.
Fold the hand towel in half.
Now turn it over so the ribbon is facing the table.
Pin the edges and sew.
Now take one corner and turn it down.
Next we will pin the corner to the top layer of the towel.
Repeat with the other corner.
Sew the corners to that top layer of the towel.
Do not sew straight across. Sew one corner and then the other.
Remember to back stitch.
Now your hood is ready to be attached to the big towel.
Fold the big towel in half and find the center.
The towel should have the ribbons on the edge facing up.
This is the “outside” of the towel.
Lay the center of your hood over the center of the towel.
Align the raw edge of the hood along the top of the big towel.
Pin the two edges together.
Sew all the way across, back stitching at the beginning and end.
And you’re all finished!
You have a super cute hooded towel for your kids, grandkids, or even for gifts!
Embellishing them is the fun part so make sure to check out
The Ribbon Retreat for all we have to offer at fantastic prices!
19 Comments
WE MAKE ALL KINDS OF BABY ITEMS, BEDS SETS, DRESSES , TOYS AND ETC I WILL CHECK OUT YOUR WEB SITE FOR RIBBONS ETC
Would this hooded towel work for bigger kids? Like 8 years old
I think it would. But just keep it in mind when you’re purchasing your towels. Some towels are on the small side and some are larger. The cheapest towels are usually on the smaller side. I hope this helps!
Shirley
I which collection of ribbon is this ribbon found? I used all my best guesses on the categories and decided to ask the designer. I am always looking for stuff suitable for boys. I have found several but miss the boats and anchors. How fun for beach bags and beach, lake, boating attire.
If you just give me the name of the collection, I’ll be able to find it. Thanks for your help and such simple directions.
Sherrie
Hi Sherrie, that ribbon is no longer available from the manufacturer. I used it for my two-year-olds hooded towel I made last year. I wanted them to match, so I used the rest of it for this one. We have lots of other cute ribbons for boys, as you’ve mentioned. Sorry about that!
Can you not use a washcloth instead of cutting a hand towel in half?
It depends on the size of the wash cloth. I don’t think they would be big enough. But if you find one that would work, go for it!
Jennifer if you are doing an infant one a finger tip towel might work. They are very difficult to find not already embellished, and just like towels and wash cloths the sizes vary greatly just a thought. I used to make bibs out of them all the time, but can rarely find plain ones. Let us know if something else works.
Shirley-I’m glad you don’t have it any more because that means I did my homework, I am sorry you don’t have it any more because I really like it.
Thank you for this simple tutorial! I just made hooded towels for my girls and they are over the moon in love with them
I embroidered my hoods before assembling and let them choose towel color, embroidery design, fabrics for the appliques and thread colors. They really feel like they created them themselves and in a way they did. Love that this gave my 2 and 5 year old a way to get excited about handmade crafting! Thank you!
You are so welcome Nina! The towels you made sound absolutely adorable! And that is awesome your girls were able to help. It’s great to get them started early!
I’ve made these for years but used a wash cloth and they worked out fine. However, my hoods were not shaped like yours are and I want to try that. It looks more finished!
Another hint…I would buy a second washcloth and fashion a wash mitt out of it for mom. I sewed ribbon on for trim first, then turned it inside out and just made sort of a “slip cover” for my hand, cutting the cloth around the shape of my hand but bigger. Then I sew it up. I left the ribbon a little bit long make a loop for a hanger before I sewed up the end.
When doing that I try to make sure and get a softer brand of towel. Might not be what you want to use on an infant, but for a sticky, grimy toddler it would be good for scrubbing!
Can’t wait to try this, carla great idea fort a mitt! What a cool gift this. Would be!
Great idea Carla! I thought that if you are making them as gifts, you can easily use the second half for a second towel. And I LOVE the mitt idea! Definitely would be a good use for the leftover!
Just made 2 of these using your tutorial and they turned out great! Thanks so much for taking the time to share an easy-to-follow tutorial!
You’re so welcome Kara! I’m so glad you love it!
I think this looks great! I’m getting ready to dive in and do it. But isn’t there an unfinished edge on the hood that can unravel?
Hi Blake! Yes there is an unfinished edge, but I haven’t had any problems with it unraveling. I’ve made two this way and one has lasted for two years. They are so fun! Good luck!
What a surprise to see someone else showing the world how to make these wonderful hooded towels. I’ve been making these for the past 25 years not only for my own children but for family members and for baby gifts. Everyone knows that Grandma/Aunt Pattis will be giving them a one of kind made just for them baby towl. I’ve even made an Large Male one. I do make my hoods just a little bit differen, but thanks for showing how easy it is for make these cute and easy hooded towels.
I made these hooded towels for my daughter’s twins. Their 1st birthday is coming up. I had their names embroidered on the hood too. Can’t wait to give them to her and see how she likes them!! I also make cloth diapers and bibs.
Thanks so much for your tutorial!