Recycled Glam - Spa Towel
Wrap
(Textiles 8)
On average, how many kilograms
of textile waste (clothes, bedding, curtains,
etc) per person end up in landfills
throughout Canada each year?
A.
1
B.
3
C.
5
D.
7
The answer is D. Canadians throw
away approximately seven kilograms or
15 pounds (approximately 3 bags of
flour!) of textile waste (clothes, bedding,
etc.) annually (Coulter, 2010). So the next
time you get ready to throw out a piece of
clothing, linen or textiles, consider
recycling as alternative option. Often times, fabrics being thrown away could be reused
for another purpose (“repurposed”) or given to somebody else to get further use out of.
Not only can you save some real cash, but also reduce your carbon footprint.
The simplest way to recycle those extra fabrics lying around the house is to reuse
textiles, or “upcycle”. All you need is a good all around sewing machine and you are
good to go. Whether you make repairs to existing items or create unique pieces out of
several different types of fabric, it’s easy to see how you can really make a huge
environmental impact. Think of all the money you spent on buying the particular item.
Why not get more use out of it? Even if you didn’t spend a lot of money, why contribute
to overfilled landfills when there was no reason to throw it out? So here is a great project
that recycles some everyday household fabrics in to a glamorous spa towel-wrap.
Constructing this textile item will foster your understanding of the fundamental
preconstruction basics, including measuring to determine size of product, preshrinking
fabric, marking, pinning, cutting, sewing corners, and hemming/casing. Before you
begin, be sure that the towel will wrap and overlap around your body and read through
your instructions!
Prescribed Learning Outcomes
A1 - demonstrate safe use of tools and equipment needed to produce textile items
B1 - demonstrate an understanding of basic preconstruction procedures
B2 - construct and repair simple textile items using construction basics, including:
 plain seam and seam finish
 back stitching
 buttons
 hemming
 hand sewing
C1 - identify colour as an element of design
Construction Time / Budget Considerations
Students will require 2-3 hours to finish this project depending upon which
version they are creating or any extensions incorporated. This project is budget friendly,
as old towels and face cloths can be brought in from home or purchased at thrift stores for
approximately $3.00. The cotton fabric can be leftover from senior classes or again
purchased from thrift stores in the form of bed sheets/linens. Factoring in the elastic and
Velcro the total cost for this project should be approximately $7.00.
Materials
1 Large Old Bath Towel (The thinner the towel the less strain on the sewing machine!)
1 Old Facecloth
1 m Old Bed Sheet/Prewashed Cotton Fabric
Matching Thread
1.5 inch wide Elastic
4 inch Velcro Strip
Procedure
1. Measure and mark one 7” x 7” square or pin the cut-out pattern onto the facecloth
with original top edge of cloth remaining on one of the 3 sides of the square. Check
your measuring or pinning with your teacher before you cut!
2. Create the cotton fabric contrast band for the front of the towel wrap and the pocket.
Place the towel on a flat surface with the longest edge at the top and bottom. Measure
one short side of the towel and the perimeter of three sides of the pocket. This step
can be done without the decorative pleats for men. If so, add 4 cm to both these two
measurements. This the length of the cotton fabric you will need to cut. If you are
making the decorative pleats, you will need to add an additional 1 cm of fabric for
every 5 cm. (So…we have to do some math!)
Extra Fabric Needed for Pleats (cm) =
Total Measured (cm) x 1 cm
5 cm
Total Fabric (cm) = Extra Fabric Needed for Pleats (cm) + Total Measured (cm)
Solve this for both the side of the towel and the pocket and then add 4 cm to both
totals (the side and the pocket). This is the length of the cotton fabric you will need to
cut.
3. Measure 5” inwards from a straight edge on the cotton fabric. Draw a straight line the
entire length needed (from above) for the side of the towel and the pocket. Check
with your teacher before you cut!
4. Fold cotton in half lengthwise so the two edges are directly on the top of each other;
wrong-side to wrong-side. Right side should be showing. Smooth out the fabric so
that there are no wrinkles. Pin edges together. Check your pinning with the teacher
before you sew!
5. Thread your machine and bobbin with the same colour. Colour should closely match
your fabric.
No Pleats
6. Straight stitch the edges together along the 3/8 mark and backstitch at ends. Then
repeat but this time use a zigzag stitch, feeding the fabric along the presser foot. Trim
along the stitching with fabric shears if needed. Repeat with the other fabric for the
pocket.
Pleats
6a. Straight stitch the edges together along the 3/8 mark and backstitch at ends. Fold the
material upward 1 cm every 5 cm and pin in place. Continue the entire length of the
fabric. Check your pinning with the teacher
before you continue. Straight stitch the
edges and pleats together feeding the
fabric along the presser foot and backstitch
at ends. Then repeat but this time use a
zigzag stitch, feeding the fabric along the
presser foot. Trim along the stitching with
fabric shears if needed. Repeat with the other
fabric for the pocket.
7. With a sewing gauge, fold over the top and bottom edges of the cotton fabric at 1 cm
and press. Pin in place and then stitch centre of the fold. Stitch very close to the top
edge all the way around. Fold again 1 cm and press. Pin in place. Stitch very close to
the bottom edge all the way across. Repeat with the second strip of fabric.
8. Using the sewing gauge, attach the contrast
band/pleated band to the one side of your
towel using pins at 1.5 cm. Make sure you
have the finished edge of the towel on top of
the band.
9. Lay the band on top of the pocket fabric
lining up the outer edges and manipulating the fabric through the corners and pinning
in place. It will not align perfectly, so the excess towel can be trimmed off. Straight
stitch along the 3/8 line and backstitch. Zigzag stitch the pocket feeding the fabric
along the presser foot and backstitch. Trim the edges if needed.
10. Create the casing for the upper elastic band.
Using the seam gauge again, fold over the top long
edge of the towel, measuring 5 cm and pin in place.
Straight stitch along the presser foot (along the
finished seam of the towel) and remember to
backstitch.
11. Now it is time to measure and cut the elastic before we can insert it into the casing.
For ladies, measure above the chest and around through the armpits, subtract 3 cm from
this measurement, and cut this amount of elastic. For men, measure around the waist just
above the hips, subtract 3 cm from this measurement, and cut this amount of elastic. The
elastic must be measured and cut without stretching
it. Using a safety pin attached to one end, feed the cut
elastic through the casing to create a gathering in the
towel.
12. Anchor the elastic in place by stitching from the
top of the casing to the bottom of the casing at each
end along the 3/8 line and the presser foot. Don’t
forget to backstitch.
13. Lay the towel out on a table finished side up. For
your closure, attach one piece of the Velcro pieces to
the underside of the towel on the end containing the
contrast band. Make sure it is in the middle of the
casing before you secure using pins. Attach the
remaining Velcro to the finished side at the opposite
end without the contrast band. Carefully (watch for
the pins!) wrap yourself in the towel to ensure that
the Velcro meets and secures the towel wrap shut. If
it is correct, slowly straight stitch around the Velcro,
using the needle to pivot the fabric in corners.
14. Try the towel wrap on once again, and
determine the preferred location on the front for
the pocket. Lay the towel wrap out on a table and
pin the pocket in place, folding the seams inwards
(towards the inside of the pocket). Check your
pinning with the teacher before you sew.
15. This is the final step in creating your
Recycled Glam - Spa Towel Wrap!
Carefully, as there is a bulk of fabric, straight stitch the pocket to the towel by stitching
down the center of where the contrast band and the towel meet. Do not forget to
backstitch.
Voilà and congratulations on completing your sewing project! Please fill out the
Self-Assessment for Recycled Glam - Spa Towel Wrap sheets and attach it to your
project with a safety pin for marking.
Extension
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Pattern can be modified to a very basic towel wrap (casing, elastic, and Velcro),
adapting to differentiated instruction.
Continue pleat down from the front all the way around the base of the towel.
Attach contrasting cotton fabric to the top to make the casing, extending the
length of the towel.
Add straps.
Introduce embroidery and use the embroidery machine to personalize the spa
towel wraps for the students.
Attach bows and appliqués.
Create a beach version using an old beach towel.

Self-assessment sheets can be modified to reflect contrast banding and extensions
or left basic/modified (as shown below) to reflect/support differentiated
instruction and learning.
References & Resources
Coulter, L. (2010). “Looking good in green”. David Suzuki Foundation. Retrieved from:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/queen-of-green/2010/02/looking-good-in-green/
Earth Day Canada. (2014). http://www.earthday.ca/teachers
Pattern adapted from “Centsational girl: Fabulous, for less”. (2009). Retrieved from:
http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2009/09/diy-spa-towel-wrap/
Images obtained from “Centsational girl: Fabulous, for less”. (2009). Retrieved from:
http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2009/09/diy-spa-towel-wrap/
Smith, M.G., and de Zwart, M.L. (2011). Chapter six assessment and evaluation in home
economics: In what ways can we gather evidence of learning? Education for everyday
life: Curriculum and pedagogy in home economics. Retrieved from:
https://circle.ubc.ca/bitstream/handle/2429/37154/DeZwart%20Smith%20Ch6.pdf?seque
nce=7
Appendix
Pocket Pattern
Cut 1
Self Assessment for Recycled Glam – Spa Towel Wrap
Name: _____________________________
Date: ___________________
By doing this project, I learned/can ___________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
The techniques I used to complete this project were ______________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3 things about my project that I am proud of are _________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
I had difficulty with _______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
If I were to do this project again, I would ______________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2 goals for my next textiles project are ________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Something I want noticed about my project is ___________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Self Assessment for Recycled Glam – Spa Towel Wrap
Examine your spa towel wrap and give yourself a mark for the stitching, casing,
Velcro, and overall appearance. In the space provided, give the reason for the mark you
gave yourself.
L – Listen
E – Effort; A – Positive
R – Respect
N – Don’t
participate,
Attitude
for others,
be afraid
Work Habits when others
are speaking
complete
yourself, and
to try
&
work on time
the
something
Behavioural
environment
new
Expectations
G S N
G S N
G S N
G S N
G S N
Stitching - (Ex: neat, small stitches that are not visible, threads trimmed, no knots,
followed the correct seam allowances, thread colour coordinates with fabric)
/10 ______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Casing – (Ex. used a seam gauge, even and straight stitching along casing, elastic fit
through casing with ease, elastic is not twisted, elastic is secured, elastic is correct
size/fit, no puckers)
/10 ______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Velcro – (Ex. matches and attaches, on the correct sides of the wrap for closure, straight
stitching, pivoting in corners, in the middle of the casing, secure closure of wrap)
/5 _______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Overall Appearance
/10 ______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Total:
/35
* Adapted from Hay, C. (2014). Textiles project self-evaluation. Assessment & evaluation in textile studies: Home economics (EDCP
392) [Lecture Notes]. Retrieved from: https://www.elearning.ubc.ca and Smith, M.G., and de Zwart, M.L. (2011). Chapter six
assessment and evaluation in home economics: In what ways can we gather evidence of learning? Education for everyday life:
Curriculum and pedagogy in home economics, Pg. 53-54. Retrieved from:
https://circle.ubc.ca/bitstream/handle/2429/37154/DeZwart%20Smith%20Ch6.pdf?sequence=7
Rubric for Recycled Glam – Spa Towel Wrap
Name: _____________________________
Stitching - (Ex: neat,
small stitches that are
not visible, threads
trimmed, no knots,
followed the correct
seam allowances,
thread colour
coordinates with
fabric).




Casing – (Ex. used a
seam gauge, even
and straight stitching
along casing, elastic
fit through casing
with ease, elastic is
not twisted, elastic is
secured, elastic is
correct size/fit, no
puckers).





Velcro – (Ex.
matches and
attaches, on the
correct sides of the
wrap for closure,
straight stitching,
pivoting in corners,
in the middle of the
casing, secure
closure of wrap).

Overall Appearance
- (Ex. neatness and
presentation, no
tears/rips, fit and
ease, identifies
colour/pattern as an
element of design).



3-5
Stitch length is not
correct/consistent,
and tension is too
tight or too loose.
Seams are puckered.
They are wider than
what the instructions
call for.
Threads were not
trimmed during the
sewing process.
Student did not
consistently
backstitch on their
project.
3-5
Did not use a seam
gauge, very uneven.
Elastic did not fit
through casing.
Twisted Elastic.
Elastic is not
correctly fitted.
Elastic is not secure.
1-2
Velcro attached
incorrectly.
Final product does
not close
properly/securely.
Stitching was not
straight.
3-5
The student paid no
attention to
instructions. Poor
quality and little
effort displayed in
final product.
Date: __________________
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6-8
Stitch length is
correct, but tension is
too loose/too tight at
times.
Seams are wider than
outlined in the
instructions. In some
places correct sides of
the fabric are together.
Some threads were
trimmed during the
sewing process.
Student backstitched
most of the time on
their project.
6-8
Student attempted to
use a seam gauge,
casing, slightly
uneven.
Elastic fit through the
majority with ease.
Elastic not twisted.
Elastic closely fits.
Elastic was secured.
3-4
Velcro attached off
center.
Final product exhibits
partial closure.
Stitching
demonstrated above
average skills.
6-8
The project was
adequately
constructed

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

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9-10
Stitch length is
correct and tension
is perfect.
Seams are correct in
width and
construction.
Correct sides of
fabric are together.
All threads were
trimmed during the
sewing process.
Student
backstitched all the
time on their
project.
9-10
Student used a seam
gauge, casing is
even all the way
around.
Elastic fit through
the casing with
ease.
Elastic is not
twisted.
Elastic is secured.
5
Velcro attached
correctly and
centered.
Final product
exhibits complete
and secure closure.
Stitching is correct.
9-10
The project was
"store bought"
quality.
TOTAL:
/35
Comments: ______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________