I saw a picture of the cutest of some towel ponchos recently. The link was broken. 🙁 But I tried to make them anyway!
As soon as I saw the picture – I knew I wanted to try to make towel ponchos for my kids! Whenever we have the chance to go swimming – we do. And I always end up lugging around everyone’s towels. We had the kind with hoods, but they always slipped off when the kids were walking or playing. Then the kids would get chilly in the breeze and the bean would complain. And when the towels fall off they get dirty with sand or wet from the pool. More complaining. Yuck.
Now they wear their towels to and fro and they don’t fall off! They stay cozy and dry while playing outside the water and on the trip home.
And for some reason they remind me of a baja. Which I was not cool enough to own in the late 80’s/early 90’s, even though I really wanted one. 🙂 Did any of you have one?
I mean come on – Luke Perry just looks so cool rocking his baja!
Annnnyway. Here’s how I made my towel ponchos. I’m sure there’s a much better and more professional way, but my way was easy, and since there were no directions I had to wing it.
I’ve been a ‘no sew’ crafter for too long!! I can sew on a button and hand-stitch a straight line. I can do a whip stitch and I can knit and crochet. But, I am VERY intimidated by my sewing machine. I decided it was time to take the plunge and just use it. Don’t judge. I do realize that when you look closely (or from far away, for that matter) the stitches on these ponchos are ridiculously bad. But, it’s OK. They work for the intended use and from really, really far away they’re pretty cute. 🙂
And for all you more experienced sewers out there – you can make these look WAY better than mine.
You should try it.
They were easy (so they would be SUPER EASY for a better sewer than me).
I get compliments EVERYTIME the kids wear them.
People ask where I bought them.
“Etsy?” they say. hehe.
TOWEL PONCHOS
Step one.
Buy cute towels and ribbon.
My towels are from Target 6.99 and the ribbon was from the Hob Lob 2.00 (half off)
Step two.
Fold your towel in half and cut a straight line down the middle
I cut about 6 inches in so the opening would end up being about 12 inches.
(This ended up being a little too big for the bean. So, I sewed his in a little when I was done.)
Hindsight, I would have done this with pinking shears to keep the terry cloth from unraveling. But since I am was a ‘no sew’ crafter I have no pinking shears (yet). 🙂
Step three.
Pin your ribbon to the front of the towel. And sew it on.
I didn’t sew any ribbon on the back side of the towel since you will never see that part.
(And because I only bought one roll of ribbon and only had enough to do the fronts.)
I cut the ribbon a few inches longer than the hole and crossed it over at the ends.
See – it’s not all that straight and it’s a little bunchy. 🙂
But, you can’t really tell when they are on the kiddos.
If I can make one – you can make one! Try it out.
Cindy deRosier says
I had a mint green baja in the late 80’s! I’d forgotten about that. Thanks for the memory. 🙂
erin says
@cindy -you’re welcome! You must have been SOO cool. 🙂 I’m jealous.
Jessica says
Erin, they are so cute! You did a GREAT job! I wish I could sew as good as you!
Erin says
haha. Funny, Jessica. You taught me everything I know!
GianneCurry says
So many cute ideas and so little time!! I just did your cloud dough and got lots of giggles and pretend play out of it!! Thanks!
Check it out-
Gianne at cowsgomooandducksgoquack.blogspot.com
Erin says
Thanks Gianne! So glad you loved the cloud dough. It’s so weird and cool!
amanda says
I made these for my boys last summer as well but I also ran a stich up each side (creates a poncho with sleves. this way if/when I have to strip them then I don’t have to worry about who is watching or when we get to the car from the beach I can do the strip down and all the sand stays outside my car. the boys LOVE them.
Erin says
Oh the sleeves! What a great idea.
Sherwin Saturnio says
Good day!
We are looking for a manufacturer of Poncho Towels. Please send us quotation for this information below:
Quantity: 2000 pcs
Color : Red or White.
Size: 64 x 45
Please confirm your price with and without embroidery of the logo. Please send us also image of the poncho towels that you will offer to us. .
Waiting for your immediate response.