Easy Hooded Baby Bath Towel

There are some things for baby that you absolutely have to go buy, but there are many things you can make, and save money. One such thing is a hooded towel. A place that sells these towels can ask three times what they want for an ordinary towel and that's crazy. Why pay that much when you can quickly make a hooded towel at home? The towel you make will be just as nice as one you buy, plus, you get to choose exactly how you want it to look.

You'll need one baby towel and one baby washcloth to make the hooded bath towel. You'll also need the smallest amount of sewing experience. Start by laying the washcloth out in front of you and cutting from one corner, to the opposite one. Just fold the washcloth in half, so that you create two triangles - one on the top and one underneath - then cut along the fold. Use half of the washcloth to make the hooded towel, and save the other to make a second towel.

If you have an over-lock machine it's perfect for finishing the cut edge of the washcloth. Sew along the cut edge and the over-lock will finish it for you. If you have no over-lock, use a piece of satin ribbon. Wrap the edge of the washcloth with the ribbon and sew it on.

Now lay the baby towel on a surface in front of you and place it so that one of the bottom corners is facing you. At the opposite corner, at the top, lay the half-washcloth. Put the point of the washcloth (the one corner not covered with ribbon or over-locked) on the corner of the towel. If the towel and washcloth have distinctive fronts and backs, stack the washcloth and towel so that their wrong sides face each other. Pin the two sides of the washcloth to the towel.

Sew around the washcloth to affix it to the towel. Trim the seam close to the stitches. Turn the washcloth right side-out and the hooded towel is ready to use. You'll find it helpful to hang the hood on the baby's head, then wrap the towel around him or her. No longer do you have to use a much larger towel, so that you can cover the baby, nor will you have to use two separate towels. The hooded towel is great for a baby but can be made for older kids, too. Use it as-is or personalize it by sewing or using fabric paints to make a monogram or other design.