Wash and dry your beach towel and your selected fabric. Measure the width of the towel from end to end. Cut two pieces of fabric in a length that is one inch longer than your towel measurement and a width that is about 7-8".
Lay fabric right sides together, fold both in half lengthwise to find the center point. From the center fold measure 4 inches and pin, just through the two layers, then pin again another inch towards the fold. Do this on both sides of the center fold so the pins are the same position. Now sew with 1/2" seam allowance continuously up one of the short sides, down the length that has the pins, skipping over the spaces between the pins, and continuing down the other short side. So you are left with what looks like a long envelope. Clip corners and turn right side out. Press.
Press the unfinished edge of the envelope in 1/2" all the way around towards the inside. Insert the towel into the envelope making sure you have the corners and edges of the towel all the way up against the envelope seams. Pin in place, check on back of towel to be sure the back of the envelope is being pinned as well and lines up with the front of the envelope.
Now cut a strip of fabric about 70" in length by 4" in width. You could also just use strapping. If you use fabric, crease with an iron at the center fold length wise, then fold both edges in again towards the center crease and press. You should be left with a four thickness strap that is about an inch wide. Topstitch down both sides 1/4" away from the edges. Press.
The above diagram shows the placement for the straps. Lay the towel right side up. Cut a length of about 8 or 9 inches off of the strap and insert in the top of the envelope/towel where there should be holes left from the envelope stitching step. Make the strap take a nice tight diagonal turn and lay snugly along the top edge of the towel and pin in place. Pin the rest of the strap in place underneath the bottom of the envelope with each end equal distance from the center. Make sure the strap is not twisted. Topstitch all the way around the envelope about 3/8" away from the edge. You may want to go back and sew some securing stitches where the straps are sewn in even closer to the edges.
The steps above show how to fold the towel:
1-Fold in the sides towards the center on the whole length
2-Fold bottom edges up to meet the underside of the envelope
3-Roll towards top
4-Slip long strap into short strap
The kids are at day camp this week and we've been throwing their suits right inside the towel before we start the fold and roll. They think thats cool.
There, now if everything else was that easy I'd have a smooth summer!
Happy swimming pals. xoxo,Anna