Maybe you guys are like me, and don't actually follow tutorials at all. I just look at the pictures and go - "yeah I think I could make that," and then give it a go. Well anyway, feel free to do just that, and completely ignore my instructions, which might not be that fab anyway. But if you do want a step by step, this is how I made the following project...
The Sunbathing Companion
From this:
To this:
Just add your sunbathing self to this pic!
This project is a little more challenging than the last, though still really a beginner project (because what am I? A beginner. Yeah that's right). It definitely took me a couple of hours to make this.
You will need:
Cut the 1st towel into the following pieces (you should have a medium sized piece left over)
The instructions (sorry they're so hard to read on this one): Draw both edges together and pin - leaving 1cm(ish) between the edge of the pillow seam and your new seam, so that the towel lies flat (see the pic below for further clarification...
Then sew!
The pic doesn't show it, but both handles are on the same part of the towel, the erm, flap. One on either side of the pillow.
I think velcro will work much better than domes, but either would be fine...
And well, that's pretty much it. I don't know technical sewing terms, so I hope you were able to follow all of that, and if not, were able to figure out how to do it anyway. The result will be a lovely sunbathing towel with an attached pillow, that can all be rolled up into a bag and carried (with sunbathing items included) down to the beach with you. It had me hanging out for summer days, that's for sure.
If you DO make one, please pop back and share a link, I would love to see how yours turns out!
this is totally AMAZING! and especially perfect for moi (who no longer actually uses a towel at the beach for drying off after a swimsy, only for a mere sunbathesy)
ReplyDeletei might actually do this.
(pinning~~)
X
I am so absolutely, without a doubt going to make some of these. Perfect Chrissy pressies for an Aussie Summer. Yay!
ReplyDeleteWill post a pic when I've made one.
Thanks for sharing x
I agree with you..
Deleteskewline.in
Great tutorial - I think I'm going to make some of these as Christmas gifts! (and start following your blog!)
ReplyDeletesadly I cannot find the button to follow you
ReplyDeleteomgoodness!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant!! I can see myself making more than one as I wouldn't want to share and my kids would want one each :)
ReplyDeletethis is RAD! you are a genius, girl. think I'll be having a go at this one too! x
ReplyDeleteOMG. This is so cool. I love it. I go to our community swimming pool and I bring a bunch of stuff and never have enough hands. This is super perfect. Thank you so much!
ReplyDelete-Shannon
http://homeondesertrose.blogspot.com/
this is awesome! haha I saw this on pinterst before I saw it on your blog! totally making one (or 3)
ReplyDeletex
This would be great to use as a nap mat for young kids too!
ReplyDeleteHi there. Great post! I'm wondering though-- how has this held up to washing? Particularly the pillow stuffing part?
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks for your question! To be honest, I haven't had the opportunity to use it yet - thus no washing... But we regularly wash our toddler's pillow (she often sits on it and there can be leakages - sorry TMI), which I do by hand, and I would do the same with this. I think a gentle soak would be fine, unless you're really using it to dry yourself off after swims...
ReplyDeleteAlternatively, you could make the pillow part more of a pillow case, and just slide a regular pillow in and out as you need... That way it would be easy to bang it in the washing machine after use.
I hope that answers your question - as I said, I haven't trialled that part of things yet!
That's what I was thinking....gonna make mine like a case...with an opening in the side for a pillow. This is a wonderful idea....thanks so much for taking the time to make it and post it!
DeleteThat's what I'm thinking would be easier since I'm not really yet past beginner sewing too much either it seems much simpler and I could put a more solid pillow inside it and just sew it or zip it.
DeleteGreat idea!! So excited to make these, and will likely make the pillow removal option as well. Thanks!
DeleteI am in the middle of making one for my little sister for Christmas and I'm sooooo excited to give it to her! It is going good so far, ill send a pic when I finish. Thanks for the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea... I'm thinking of making one, but was thinking of adjusting the pillow pocket to accommodate an inflatable camping pillow... That way its less bulky AND can be removed for washing!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea. I will be making some for granddaughters as well as for myself. I think I will use a travel pillow, purchased at JoAnn's with a 50% off coupon, instead of stuffing. Maybe make a tube at the top with velcro, instead of stitching, at the ends to keep the pillow in. Easy to remove for washing! This is my first venture into Pinterest. I think I'm going to love it.
ReplyDeleteJust think of all the things you could put in tour Velcro pillow pocket. Then roll up and off you go. I would want handles long enough to go over shoulder so I could hold my child's hand.
DeleteApproximately how wide did you cut the strips for the handles? I'm not sure how large to make them, and I don't want to have too thin of handles either :-)
ReplyDeleteapproximately 3 inches, give or take. I'm never exact, but something like that
ReplyDeleteAwesome and great idea...but i think I will reuse an old plastic table cloth on the underside to make it "waterproof" on one side!
ReplyDeleteI like your idea
DeleteLove this!! The only thing I am going to change is instead of sewing the batting into the towel, I'm going to leave an opening for a pillow and use velcro to hold it in. That way when it needs to be washed, it will slide out.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post :)
Im going to try to use a waterproof fabric on the bottom. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteis the entire underneath side of the towel the other fabric? or is it just around the edges?
ReplyDeleteJust the edges, but I'm sure it would look great either way!
ReplyDeleteI'm working on a "double wide' version, not as cusy pillows but twice as wide, so it can be for 2.
ReplyDeleteDude that's sweet... invite me!!! Can't WAIT for summer
DeleteTotally cute idea! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLove the idea! Haven't made it yet but re-posted it at www.sewreliable after finding it on Pinterst!
ReplyDeleteAwesome idea. Thanks for the great tutorial. Need to make a few of these before the summer.
ReplyDeleteI just made this! Very easy. I made a pouch with a velcro closure for a pillow and a little pocket near the pillow for a cell phone.
ReplyDeletei'm making it now, and yes, pillow pouch is good so you can wash the towel. I just left the end open so pillow can easily be slipped in and out- also accomodates different size pillows.
DeleteWonderful idea and can be such a personal gift. Would love to see more of your works. I am going to make for my wonderful niece
ReplyDeleteThis is a wondeful idea! In summer, I live on the beach so this will come in handy! Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute! I am going to make them as Mother's Day gifts. Has anyone tried washing it yet? How did the stuffing in the pillow part hold up? Any other ideas of what to stuff it with that might be sturdier- maybe a foam pillow?? :) Love it!!
ReplyDeleteI didn't stuff because it will ball all up when washed. I just left the pillow part open on one end so a pillow can be slipped in and out.
DeleteWhy didn't I think of this?! I just bent one sewing machine needle & gummed up another trying to sew velcro strips down. The stickiness on the back of the strips is really giving me trouble. Just leave it open on one side! Hello! Good thinking, Sue! Thanks for sharing! Now if I can just get these velcro strips pulled out! :)
DeleteYou should have used the regular Velcro, instead of the sticky one...
DeleteThis looks like such a great idea! I was wondering though, how do the handles hold up against the velcro (or "domes")? I guess it depends on how much you intend to stuff into the pockets and how sturdy of velcro you use, but have you noticed it coming unstuck at all as you carried it around? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Debra (and Eric), the truth is - I was heavily pregnant all summer and never got to use mine (too hard to get up off, and I could only lie on my side which wasn't that comfortable)... Would be interested to hear from anyone else who's made one though - but perhaps some bigger domes would be best if you are planning to carry books and things?
DeleteIf the handles are a concern, perhaps move them down so they are not attached to the velcro flap?
DeleteStella Rutherford
DeleteYou missed a great opportunity. Going to the beach when pregnant is awesome. Dig a hole in the sand about the size of your belly, lay your towel over it and lay down on your stomach with baby in the hole. One of my favorite things to do when pregnant. Felt so good to not lay on my side for awhile LOL
Haha that is so funny! I always told my fiance that I needed a hole dug out before he can run off ?Imagine a pregnant girl digging a hold with her hands ..😲 omg lol). But yes u are right, it feels amazing! Plus, the cold sand keeps the baby nice and cool!
DeleteI had to move my handles down so it wasn't on the Velcro flap. Otherwise, it was a little too heavy for the Velcro to hold well. :)
DeleteI just finished this for my mom for Mother's Day and will probably need to make one for myself soon! I put a zipper on the back side of the pillow so I can remove the pillow to wash the towel. I used a sports quality zipper so it will hold up to stuffing and unstuffing and washing. Adding a zipper also allowed me to sew the seam differently because I was able to flip the towels inside and out. I'm so excited to give this as a gift! Thanks for he wonderful tutorial!
ReplyDeletewould love to see a tutorial on how you did yours.
DeleteThis is too late for those who've already made theirs, but for readers down the road: be careful not to put any kind of metal zipper in, if you plan on going to the beach with it. The salty water/air will corrode the metal and it will be impossible to zip/unzip-believe me! I'm pretty sure you can buy all plastic Zippers...honestly I don't even know how to put a zipper in, I just know my experiences at the beach with ready made things!
DeleteI recently made one of these. It is a lot easier if you wait to stuff the pillow after you have sewn everything on because if you have a standard sewing machine it is hard to fit the end of the towel to sew the pillow to the second towel. Also when you are making the handles you should really pin the edges of the handles because if you don't they will twist. I cannot wait to use this when I go on vacation!!! Thanks for the idea
ReplyDeleteSo cool! I had to post it on my website! Here's the link: http://www.lescreateliers.com/Les_Createliers/Idees_Ideas/Entries/2012/5/10_Companion_de_bronzageSunbathing_companion.html
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Marie-Eve
Y'all don't copy and paste this sight-it takes you to one of those "you've been randomly selected for an iPhone" pop up thing where you have to press "okay" and who knows what kind of virus that puts on your phone...great...
DeleteSo cool! I had to post it on my website. Here's the link: http://www.lescreateliers.com/Les_Createliers/Idees_Ideas/Entries/2012/5/10_Companion_de_bronzageSunbathing_companion.html
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Marie-Eve
Simply Brilliant!!!
ReplyDeleteKindest regards,
Jennifer
Simply Brilliant!!!!
ReplyDeleteKindest regards,
Jennifer
wow this is great. I love it!
ReplyDeleteHi! I made two of these for my daughters and they came out great. I tweeked them a bit and made some instructions and then taught a few friends how to make them. We had a blast!
ReplyDeletehi any chance you could post those instructions for me, if you still have them :)
DeleteThis was a great idea! Made one for my sister. http://pinterest.com/pin/261349584596384548/
ReplyDelete:)
This was a great idea! I made one for my sister.
ReplyDeletehttp://pinterest.com/pin/261349584596384548/
:)
HELP! I can't sew. Could I use fabric glue?
ReplyDeleteMy teenagers will love these! Can't wait to make some. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI made a pink star wars one for myself. It turned out great. We're finishing up my BFF's Marvel Comics one this week. Thanks for the tutorial!!
ReplyDeletehttp://img27.imageshack.us/img27/9559/starwarstowel.jpg
I made a girly star wars one for myself and we are finishing up my BFF's marvel comics one this week. Mine turned out GREAT! Thanks for sharing your tutorial.
ReplyDeletehttp://img27.imageshack.us/img27/9559/starwarstowel.jpg
I'm about to attempt this, but without velcro strips because the ones I have are sticky - like adhesive glue sticky - on one side & are breaking & gumming up my needles. I'm thinking I'll do some buttons ... and little flaps made out of my same fabric with button holes for my closures. I think that would work?!
ReplyDeleteUsing buttons to close is a really good idea, I will have to try this...
DeleteThis is too late to help you now, but for future readers-try gluing on the Velcro with another glue called E-6000 (if all you have is sticky Velcro-I'm sure you know already that you would normally use the non sticky "sew on" velco for sewing). Yes, it's another trip to the store for this glue which you may think defeats the purpose, but this stuff is so strong-you will have so many uses for it. And it's a flexible hold-waterproof-I think it would be worth a try. I wish they'd make some kind of gum-proof needles-wouldn't that be nice? They actually do make a Teflon coated scissor -fiskars....I need to get some! I always mess up my scissors cutting tape (especially duck tape!)
DeleteI was also thinking buttons-unfortunately I e never learned to sew button holes but maybe a piece of looped elastic (?) instead of a buttonhole.....
DeleteSo me and my friends are totally making these for band camp!!!!
ReplyDeleteI also was just thinking of how you could alter it so the pillow would stay up behind your head when using the sunning towel on a chaise lounge lawn chair. You could add an elastic "band" on the backside of the pillow. Then you could put the band around the top of the chaise, and the pillow would stay near the top, when using the sunning towel at the poolside. If it still slips down, you could add a vertical piece of elastic, making a "T", to keep the top from slipping down. Does anyone understand what I mean? lol
ReplyDeleteI do and that's not a bad idea. My pool area is packed with chairs (of the uncomfortable variety) and something like this would be great and the elastic straps to hold it on the chair is brilliant!
DeleteI have been working on one of these for a few days and could use a few tips. Once I made the handles, how do i turn them inside out? I made them three inches and once sewn, they were so tight i had no clue how to turn them.
ReplyDeleteI used a travel pillow and have added velco to remove the pillow and also to keep the flap down.
Also when its all rolled out, there is velco down by the foot area (luckily its the softer side), just something for newbies like me to keep in mind
I think this is a wonderful idea!
not sure if you figured it out yet, but whenever I have to turn something that is really thin, I use a pencil just stick the pointy part at the part thats sewn and push the pencil through, kinda scrunching the fabric. In my head I described the process better, sorry if its confusing.
DeleteVOCÊ PODE USAR UMA AGULHA COM LINHA DOBRADA E CURTA COM NÓ. PRENDE NUMA EXTREMIDADE E PASSA POR DENTRE DO TUBO DE TECIDO, COM O FUNDO DA AGULHA VIRADO PARA A FRENTE E VAI EMPURRANDO ATÉ SAIR DO OUTRO LADO. FAÇO ASSIM COM QUALQUER LARGURA DE ALÇA. ESPERO TER AJUDADO.
DeleteI made one and I LOVE IT! I can't wait til my lake vacation in a couple weeks it is going to be so useful! One tweak I made was with the straps... If you put them both on the same part of the towel at the bottom then you don't have to lay on one, but it's towel material and it's soft and i didn't want to use velcro so i put one strap on each side of the pillow but not the same part of the towel, so when I pick it up, it holds itself together and doesn't need velcro. And I used a stuffing that said it is for stuffed animals and dolls that can be washed and won't ball up, so I will have to see what happens when I wash it! I'll let you know. Thanks for the genius idea!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Can't wait to make this/probably several. I think I would definetly make it more as a pillow case than actually sewing a pillow in. That would make it more versitile, less seasonal. Don't have many beaches where I am at (Arizona) so the blanket will most likely pick up alot more dirt.
ReplyDeleteThinking of making one! I love this idea. But maybe instead of the stuffing do it like a pillow case and stuff my clothes i usually wear to the beach. I guess it will protect it a little more too? I dont know. anyone wash it with the stuffing in it??
ReplyDeleteUsing your clothes to stuff it is a good idea, I didnt stuff it, I bought a camping inflatable pillow for it.
Deleteamazing! i am going to get my craft group to make this! will send a link with a pic or join our fb https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beehive/246210035459337 helen x
ReplyDeletegreat idea! will make these with my craft group and send you the pics! or join our fb group :) https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beehive/246210035459337 helenx
ReplyDeleteI loved , I will do the same, thank you for great idea, amazing.
ReplyDeletehttp://tearpiaocupacional.blogspot.com.br/
I'm getting ready to make one, but not sure what size towel you used I got one, but thinking it is to wide and makes it really wide when folded up with the handles. How does it look folded up without the pillow though?
ReplyDeletehttp://pinterest.com/pin/284571270176442688/ I made one!! I used velcro for a removable pillow and I used the corresponding material for the handles.
ReplyDeleteGostei muito e vou fazer. Parabéns e obrigada pela dica. Angela Sueli
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I bought a towel today at Ocean State Job Lot and the towel is 40 x 66...I'm thinking that is too big?
ReplyDeleteLove it! Love the sewing terms too as i am a beginner as well!
ReplyDeleteHi Stella, made the tote bag and I Love how it turned out. I posted some pics on my pinterest board, let me know what you think. Thank you for the great idea! Esmeralda http://pinterest.com/esme521/
ReplyDeleteThis is AMAZING! And going to make it for my friends birthday, what is the estimated time that this will take?
ReplyDeletePlease could you tell me the measurements of the original towels? I know you said medium, but what are the actual measurements please??? Thank you very much. This is fab idea and I'm dying to try it :) Xxx
ReplyDeleteI love this! We live on the Gulf Coast and while I'm no longer a beach bunny, I know LOTS of folks who would love this! Especially guys since apparently carrying a beach bag isn't manly! This way they can roll their stuff and go! I tried to pin it to Pinterest so I could keep up with your tutorial but no pic came up. Okay, lots of pics came up, but none for this project. The two projects at the bottom, your web site 'logo'(is that the right word??) and a bunch of people pics, but no cool beach towel to bag pic. :( Could you make it simple for the stupid and put a 'pin' button on your tutorials?
ReplyDeleteI just found this on Pinterest, but it linked to a compilation of summer projects on another site and after coming to check the tutorial and giving the rest of your blog a quick view I went back and deleted the pin, then pinned directly from you. You have a great blog here and I figured you deserve a chance at a few more views =) Also, it strikes me this would also be a good way to make a changing station/diaper tote, with a few adaptations. Just some food for thought =P
ReplyDeleteMade one! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://pinterest.com/pin/547398529678908206/
Enjoyed making this for my uncle who LOVES going to the beach. I made some modifications to make this more usable for him:
ReplyDelete1) I used a full-size beach towel - 6 feet long - I know when I go to the beach I like to pull ALL of my stuff on the towel so that it's not in the sand
2) Made the pillow case large enough for a standard bed pillow
3) Left the sides of the pillow case open so that the pillow can be removed for easy machine washing
Check it out on pinterest:
http://pinterest.com/shenryvalla/shels-completed-projects/
WOW!!! I wanted to make something like this!!! What a great idea! Thank you so much for sharing your tutorial. I'm going to try it ASAP! :-)
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea! No more having to try to find a comfortable spot in the yard or the beach for your head. I also like how this can be folded into a bag and has pockets- better organization. Towels always take up a large amount of space in bags. Again, great idea definitely worth a shot trying to make!
ReplyDeleteHallo ,
ReplyDeleteich hab da mal eine frage ist der bunte Stoffe auf den ganzen Rückseite würder gern ein bild davon sehen oder ist nur der rand noch mal ein gefaste
vielen dank
liebe grüße Birgit
Hola, me super encanto, gracias por compartir.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteWould love to make one of these but I don't know how to sew or use a sewing machine.
ReplyDeleteWhy not fill the inside of the pillow pocket with an additional "drying" off towel? It will stay sand free!
ReplyDeleteNow-THAT is a GENIUS idea!!!
DeleteLove the way this turned out! Thanks for the idea! Can't wait to hit the beach this week :D Check mine out: instagram.com/p/oyizRQrNPg
ReplyDeleteMuchisimas gracias por este precioso tutorial. Voy a intentar hacerlo y si me sale bien te mandaré la foto para que la veas. Gracias, otra vez y creo que me voy a quedar en tu blog. Si quieres pasarte por el mio es: aromadetela.blogspot.com Un beso fuerte.
ReplyDeleteMade one tonight!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFOR PPL WHO ARE WONDERING ABOUT WASHING THE BAG~~~
ReplyDeleteInstead of stuffing the pillow (with the stuffing) while your making it just put a normal pillow in and sew on a zipper to the side of the pillow. So when you go to wash the towel bag you can just unzip the pillow casing and pull out the pillow and wash the towel bag!!(:
I'd love love love to know if someone would please make a few of these for my girls. I'm happy to pay any costs involved plus costs for your time =)
ReplyDeleteI love this!!! However I am. Visual learner. Is there any way you could do a video tutorial on this project? Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteI believe I will try this! (I will try with old towels first) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteNicely presented information in this post, I prefer to read this kind of stuff. The quality of content is fine and the conclusion is good. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteroll bag
Great idea. I will use an air cushion so I can keep it flat while walking to the beach and inflate when needed. You can also remove it for washing... As soon as I make my own towel I will post a picture! Thanks for your tutorial :)
ReplyDeleteLove this idea!! Definitely making one! I think I'll use the accent fabric to make a "sham" type pillowcase. (where there's 2 overlapping flaps on the back) I love the idea of being able to take the pillow out to wash it, but me a zippers don't get along well :) Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteLove the sham idea, I was trying to figure out how to make this work for me! Glad I read to the end
DeleteMy sister is a total beach bum! I am sooooo making this for her birthday! Thank you for the idea!
ReplyDeleteI'm making it for my sister for our birthday also. I saw this and it instantly made me think of her!
DeleteYou could use buttons instead of velcro that way everything is not sticking to the velcro.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I may try my hand at this. I was thinking that you could use buttons instead of velcro.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of using waterproof backing and in between the backing and the towel put padding of some sort - old yoga mat maybe. If you put an opening on one side you could slide the padding in and out like the pillow case area.
ReplyDeleteHi! I recently found out this tutorial and as i saw it i started wanting to make one for a friend of mine who loves sunbathing. I just came home from the shopping, and i've bought two towels for this project (2 dollars each, not bad) i am just afraid they will be too small :( so i wanted to ask what you mean by "medium size". Mine are just regular bathroom hand towels :( will they suffice? :( thank you
ReplyDeleteSerena
This is such a cool idea. I run a challenge at my blog www.achelois.co for creatives. I hope you don’t mind but I have featured your idea as inspiration for our challenge this month. You might want to share my blog post since it will hopefully be driving some traffic to your site http://achelois.co/2016/08/summertime-creative-loops-august-challenge/
ReplyDeleteKind Regards
Elaine Nicholls
OMG love it and thank you for sharing with us. I'm thinking of making the mat in to a little road and village (something very basic) for my friends little boy. That way he can use it as a sleeping mat and a play may. Deff going to do the open pillow case bit so it can be easily washed.
ReplyDeleteOMG you should make and sell these on Amazon. I would rather buy one because I'm too busy, or too lazy to make one.
ReplyDeleteI can't read how many yards of fabric we need. I know it says it on the picture but I can't read it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI would really like to make this but I'm going to need better instructions and supply list. Is there any chance you can update it and type out the instructions in a little better detail with a supply list?
ReplyDelete