Towel to Poolside Robe Tutorial

First off, HOW cute is Eloise? She is such a happy baby.

We have this tradition in our home where after a baby is done with her bath I wrap her in a towel and present her to everyone sitting on the sofa by saying "Look at this baby!" For some reason they LOVE it.

But to do this I have to be wearing a towel as well and I'm constantly struggling to keep it on while I'm holding one of them in my arms. Often it's two seconds away from falling off in front of everyone.

I went to the Salvation Army every Wednesday looking for a robe but never found just what I was looking for. Plus, buying a used robe kind of skeeved me out.

So I took an old towel and decided to turn it into a robe, one that could be used for the pool or the bath. It's really simple! Here, I'll show you!
Materials:
Towel you don't use anymore
2 yards of elastic
velcro (iron on)
Coordintating color towel for optional straps


Step 1: Find a towel that you don't use anymore









Step 2: If you have a striped towel and you want the stripes to sit vertically, fold the towel in half and cut up the middle.

If you have a solid color towel or you like horizontal stripes, leave the towel the way it is.






Step 3: If you cut the towel in half put the two pieces next to each other and sew, right sides together.









Step 4: Take the long side of the top of your towel and fold over by 1/2".










Step 5: Take that fold and fold over again by 1". Pin. Do this along the top of the towel.










Step 6: Take your elastic and wrap it around your chest. Cut it at the point where the two ends meet.










Step 7: Thread your elastic through the casing at the top of the towel that you just made with a large safety pin. I recommend using a diaper pin because it doesn't come open in the casing.

Sew the elastic at both ends to the towel.






Step 8: Take your towel and wrap it around you. Find where the end of the towel meets your right side and make a mark on the inside of the top layer and the outside of your bottom layer.

Cut a 5" piece of velcro.








Step 9: Stretch your towel by pinning it to the ironing board and lay your velcro down. Iron it by putting a heavy cloth overtop.









Step 10: Sew in small vertical lines in various places on the velcro to reinforce the durability.










Step 11: To make straps (optional) I actually like this better without straps but I will show you how to make them.

Take a small hand towel with a similar color and cut two four inch strips.






Step 12: Cut two 18" strips of elastic.











Step 13: Fold strip of towel in half lengthwise and sew up the side.

Trim the excess.








Step 14: Take your safety pin and pin through one side. Push the pin in the casing and turn it inside out.










Step 15: Thread the elastic through as you did in Step 7. Sew at both ends.










Step 16: Position your straps where I'm pointing on the robe and sew the strap to the robe on the inside.

Done!