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Sunday, July 18, 2010

beach towel bonanza

Thought I would go ahead and share what I guess posted at Tatertots and Jello on Friday. 

I'm getting ready to take a small trip to the beach so how about something to use...How about a towel that has a little pocket across the top to hook across the top of the beach/lounge chair? That way you don't have to constantly keep readjusting your towel throughout the day and pulling it up? I'm talking something like this:



Personally, I had never seen this until a friend of ours was at our pool on Father's day and had one. I scoffed and was like, I can make that!

Now, for all of you sewers out there, you will immediately see how this project can be improved upon. For all you non-sewers - WELCOME my friends! I didn't sew a single stitch. There I said it. For those of you who want to click to another page I understand. Still with me? Wow. Ok well, I'll go ahead and let it out that I didn't measure either. Go ahead, I can't watch. 

Wow, okay so some of you are still reading, be still my heart. Well, then here we go. 

Here's what you need:



a beach towel, or 2
scissors
iron
ironing board (that's right people that's a counter top one and it's the very first one I've owned, have you lost all respect?! - I'm a big fan of take it out of the dryer and shake shake shake!)
Steam-A-Seam
Velcro (optional)
*sunglasses (totally optional, but they get you in the mood)

 


I did take my towel outside to the lounge chair. I put it on it, an I sat on it making sure I had enough pulled up over the top of the chair. I had this to look at, so it wasn't bad inspiration.

I didn't even have any pins or safety pins with me because I'll confess, it's not my pool. I'm staying at a friend's housesitting. Fortunately, I had just received a package from the Pleated Poppy and there were a few safety pins in there. Literally, I am talking three. So I used one on each side (the two sides and the top) to pin the towel, just so I did have some type of marking. Then I came inside and got to work with my Steam-A-Seam. I just followed the directions for that (and yes, I'm even ashamed to admit that it was my first time working with it).

 

And TA-DA! I'll be honest, I was impressed with myself, even though it's like a very simple thing!

  

And even after this, I questioned its adequacy for Tatertots & Jello - so just for you I took another towel and folded it in half. I took the pieces across each top and created a hem (again with the Steam-A-Seam) leaving room to wiggle a rope cord through. I then also closed up the sides almost like a pillowcase. Thus, we have a drawstring bag made out of a towel. 

1. It's a big bag - it can hold the towel we made plus many others. 2. It matches! 3. and this was truly most important for me - when you open it completely and lay it on the bottom half of the chair it is multifunctional. It served as a bag, coming and going, and while there, it provides a place for your feet (I'm a freckle-faced, redhead so as much as I love the sun, it doesn't love me, and I wind up having to stay covered). Plus it's nice little bonus to tuck your cell phone or whatever else, so it's not in the blaring sun!


 



Now my live & learn 
- yes, it'd be better to sew. or top stitch. or I even wonder about stitch witchery vs. steam-a-seam
-i'd also use bigger cording for the drawstring, and I probably will replace it. 

Hope you've been having a great weekend!


8 comments:

ellie said...

cute and clever!! I might have to try it.

ellie said...

Forgot. Got so carried away with the cleverness with the towels. I like your new look. Did you use picassa?

Jen said...

SUPER CLEVER! I love this! Thanks for sharing and thanks too for stopping by AAS and leaving a comment. I really appreciate it!!!

PS the embroidery hoop was pretty easy too. :)

Juliette Crane said...

Hello! Just stopping over from the flying lessons group :) Your blog is so lovely! I can't wait to try this out! Thank you so much for being such an inspiration!

best wishes to you!
Juliette

Marianne said...

This is a great idea. But forget the towel. If that's your pool, I'm am coming to visit!
lol

Marianne said...

I'm am ????
What the heck is in my ice tea?

Lessons Learned said...

Thanks everyone! @ ellie- i used picasa for my old header, but this "new look" i had help with so that it matches my "main site" www.memorableminutes.com.
She does great stuff.

I'm glad you like it. :) Sydney

Christine said...

Very cool idea!

stroll down memory lane...

find something creative i've done

KARMA IS REAL!

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