This Is the Best Beach Towel Hack You’ve Ever Seen
When heading to the beach or a pool party, there are a few ways to distinguish your style — you can wear a chic floppy hat, a flowy cover-up, some dazzling sunnies or a DIY bathing suit. Carry your book, sunscreen and water in a beach tote, and the only fashion accessory you’re missing is a towel. Today we’ve got a project that combines the beach bag and towel into one adorable item. Inspired by The Golden Adventures of a Very Dark Horse, we made a towel with a pillow that rolls up into a bag. The best part — the incredible flamingo towel we found at Target!
Materials:
– 2 beach towels
– polyester fiberfill
– fabric
– VELCRO
Tools:
– fabric scissors
– sewing machine
– pins
Instructions:
Get started by laying out one towel, and then (if the towels aren’t the same size) place the second one perpendicular to the first, lining up one edge. Cut the second towel, making a rectangle that, folded over, will form your pillow.
- Lay out one towel, and then (if the towels aren’t the same size) place the second one perpendicular to the first, lining up one edge. Cut the second towel, making a rectangle that, folded over, will form your pillow.
- Fold this rectangle in half, sew three sides and part of the fourth, leaving a hole to fill with pillow stuffing.
- Add polyester fiberfill to the pillow, then sew the open edge.
- Cut two strips of fabric for your straps. Adjust the size to the length you prefer, just remember you will lose about an inch on each end where it attaches to the towel.
- Fold your strips in half lengthwise with the right side facing in, and sew along the long edge. Flip the strap right-side out so the pattern is on the outside.
- Pin the pillow to the unaltered towel, and sew it in place.
- Roll the towel around the pillow. If it’s long like ours, fold it in half. Pin the straps and VELCRO on the appropriate parts of the towel (so that it functions like a bag).
- Cut out a rectangle of fabric to create a pocket on the side of the “bag,” making sure to iron down the edges to create a hem. Sew the side that will be the top of the pocket.
- Pin your pocket to the towel while it’s still wrapped up and in its bag form.
- Now that everything is pinned in place, unroll the towel and sew all of the pieces to secure them to the towel.
Fold the rectangle you just created in half, sew three sides and a little bit of the fourth, leaving a hole to fill with pillow stuffing. Add polyester fiberfill to the pillow, and then sew the open edge. Pillow complete!
Next, cut two strips of fabric for your straps. Adjust the size to the length you prefer by laying them over your shoulder. Remember you will lose about an inch on each end where it attaches to the towel. Now fold your strips in half lengthwise with the right side facing in, and sew along the long edge.
Flip the straps right-side out so the pattern is on the outside. You might want to iron your straps at this point. Flipping them right side out can create some wrinkles.
Now it’s time to construct your towel. Attach the pillow to your unaltered towel with pins, and then sew it in place.
Next, we’ll add all of the pieces to make it a functional bag. Roll the towel around the pillow. If it’s long like ours, fold it in half. Pin the straps and VELCRO on the appropriate parts of the towel.
All great bags have pockets, so we’re making one to carry sunscreen, sunnies and poolside beverages. Cut out a rectangle of fabric to create your pocket on the side of the “bag,” making sure to iron down the edges to create a hem. Sew the side that will be the top of the pocket. Pin your pocket to the towel while it’s still wrapped up and in its bag form.
Now that everything is pinned in place, unroll the towel and sew all of the pieces to secure them to the towel.
We sewed two lines down the front of the pocket to create sections. We just love this little guy!
Pop it on your shoulder, and head to the pool.
This towel is SO comfy with its luxurious pillow. It’s perfect to prop your head up for poolside reading.
What else would you add to this towel bag? A phone case? A key holder? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!