Towel Cake Gift

 How I made this Towel Cake- and why!

I can't believe its been 7 months since my little brother got married.  I am and was so excited for him and love his wife Rachel!  It was about a month before their wedding that I made this gift for them.  I have made many diaper cakes before for baby showers and have even made a few towel cakes for bridal showers in the past but this time I decided to photograph my way through it.  Usually a towel cake would consist of 3 layers: 2 Bath towels or Bath sheets for the bottom, 2 hand towels for the center and 2 face wash cloth towels for the top.  I decided that my brother and his wife needed a rug more than face towels so switched things up a bit.  

Here is what I used:

Glue Gun, coordinating color ribbon, clear cellophane bag, but I just used a clear trash bag, I also used some velcro tabs, a rubber band and scissors not pictured

 A toilet paper roll holder (as my functional and structural center), 2 bath towels, 1 rug and 2 hand towels

Here is what I did:

Starting with the bath towels I folded one lengthwise in half twice and the started rolling it into the center of the toilet paper roll with the double seam down and the clean 1 seam facing the top.

 The first towel folded neatly into the toilet paper holder after the factory tag (I figured when they took it apart it would be nice to see that and know they are new and all that).  I Then simply continued with the second bath towel (this time tag side in) as if the two towels were connected.  

When complete I wrapped a large piece of ribbon around the center and connected the ends with velcro.  I could have used hot glue or even tied a bow but I wanted a really clean look..  Bottom level DONE

 Onto Level 2 of the towel cake: The Rug.  I again folded it lengthwise but the keep with the height of the bath towel level only folded the rug into 3rds.

 

 Again I rolled it into the center with the clean seam facing upward and inward....

This layer didn't stay well on its own so i tucked in back into the toilet paper holder and plan to use the "valley" seam as the rear of the completed and displayed "cake".  I repeated the ribbon and velcro on this level as with the bottom level. Middle layer DONE

Now to the top layer.  Also had to do these in thirds to keep with the heights of the bath and rug layers... See how I just line the towels up end to end, no connecting them or anything, just keep rolling as if they are one looong towel.

 Top layer DONE... but total project?  Almost.

I then wrapped it with plastic and held it tight with a rubber band at the top, then flattened out the extra plastic ontop.

With the rest of the ribbon I made my own coordinating bow/flower.  3 long even strips and one shorter strip as shown.   

Fold the longer pieces into the center keeping the "pretty" side up.   (the one on the left shows a partially done "petal".  The one on the far right is the small piece glued in a circle for the center.

 Assemble is the 3 long pieces centers touching each other and the circle piece in the middle.  Your own homemade bow! 

 

 And now it is ready to present to the recipient!  I love making these for bridal showers so if I come to yours- act surprised!  (I check registrys first to make sure you need towels and to get the kinds you like!).  After 10 years of marriage, 2 kids and 1 on the way I am not likely to know many single people that are doing traditional weddings and bridal showers anymore (more likely to go to a baby shower) but hey... when I can I do.