Creating A Wedding Shower Towel Cake: Step-By-Step Guide

A wedding shower towel cake is a cute and creative bridal shower gift idea that is easy to make and is sure to bring a smile to the bride's face. It can also be used as a beautiful decoration or centerpiece at the bridal shower. The basic materials required to make a simple towel cake design include a towel set (2 bath, 2 hand, and 2 wash cloths), ribbon, silk rose petals, a large silk flower or a grouping of small flowers, safety pins, sharp scissors, wire cutters, and a wooden dowel. The process involves folding and rolling the towels, stacking the layers, adding ribbons and decorative details, and stabilizing the cake with a wooden dowel if needed.

Choosing the towels

Firstly, decide whether you want to use bath towels or kitchen towels for your cake. Bath towels will give you a larger cake with a classic look, while kitchen towels will result in a smaller cake, often with a fun print. If you opt for bath towels, you will need two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths. On the other hand, if you choose kitchen towels, you will need six kitchen towels and four dishcloths.

When selecting your towels, opt for thick, high-quality towels. This will ensure that your cake looks luxurious and elegant. Choose towels that are free of any store tags, as these can be unsightly and detract from the overall appearance of the cake. If the towels have tags, use scissors to carefully remove them before starting the cake-making process.

Additionally, consider the colour and design of the towels. You can choose towels in any colour, but it is recommended to select a colour that complements the wedding theme or the bride's favourite colour. You can also opt for towels with quirky prints or patterns to add a unique touch to your cake. If you are feeling creative, you can even embroider the towels with the couple's initials or a special message.

Once you have chosen your towels, lay them out flat and start folding them. For bath towels, fold them in half lengthwise twice, while for kitchen towels, fold them in half lengthwise once. This will create a neat base for your cake layers.

In summary, choosing the right towels for your wedding shower towel cake involves selecting the appropriate type, ensuring they are high-quality, considering the colour and design, and then carefully folding them to create the base for your cake layers.

Folding and rolling the towels

Folding the Towels:

Start by laying out your towels on a flat surface. For the bath towels, fold them in half lengthwise twice, creating a long rectangular shape. Repeat this process for the hand towels. For the washcloths, you can fold them in thirds, as they are smaller in size. This folding technique will reduce the width of the towels, making them easier to roll and giving your cake a neat appearance.

Rolling the Towels:

Begin rolling the towels from one end, keeping the roll tight and neat. Make sure to roll them together, as if they were one long towel. Secure the ends of the rolled towels with two large safety pins, one at the top and one at the bottom. This will prevent the towels from unfurling. Repeat this process for the hand towels and washcloths, using safety pins to secure each layer. You should now have three separate rolls, which will form the layers of your cake.

Adding Stability:

To enhance the stability of your towel cake, especially if you plan on transporting it, consider using rubber bands. Wrap a rubber band around the middle of each layer before adding the ribbon. This will ensure that the towels stay securely rolled and reduce the risk of unfurling during transportation or display.

Preparing the Utensils (Optional):

If you plan to include kitchen utensils as part of your towel cake, now is the time to prepare them. Gather a few utensils and bundle them together. Then, take your folded washcloths and wrap them around the bottom of the utensil bundle. Continue wrapping until you achieve the desired width for the top layer of your cake. Secure the washcloths with a ribbon, tying a knot at the back.

Final Touches:

Before stacking the layers, you can add ribbons to each roll. Measure and cut the ribbons to the desired length, then wrap them around each tier. You can secure the ribbons with glue or double-sided tape, or simply tie them in a bow. The ribbons will enhance the visual appeal of your towel cake and help conceal the rubber bands or safety pins.

Now you have beautifully folded and rolled towels, ready to be stacked and embellished! Remember to handle the rolls gently to avoid disturbing their shape. With these steps, you're well on your way to creating a stunning and practical wedding shower towel cake.

Stacking the towel tiers

Now that you have your rolled towel tiers, it's time to stack them to form your cake.

Start with the largest tier, which will be the base of your cake. Place this tier in the centre of your cake board or stand. If you're using a wooden dowel for stability, place the dowel in the centre of the largest tier before adding the next layer.

Next, place the middle-sized tier on top of the largest one. Ensure that the middle tier is centred and pushed down slightly into the largest tier to keep it in place. If you're using a wooden dowel, slide the tiers over the dowel to keep them stable.

Finally, place the smallest tier on top of the middle one. Again, make sure it is centred and pushed down slightly into the middle tier. If you're using a dowel, slide the top tier over it to secure it in place.

Your towel cake should now have three distinct tiers, with the largest at the bottom and the smallest at the top. If you haven't already added a ribbon to each tier, you can do so now by wrapping a ribbon around each tier and securing it with glue, tape, or a bow.

You can further decorate your cake by adding silk flowers, kitchen utensils, or other embellishments. Simply push these items in between the towels, or slide them down through the top of the cake until they are sturdy.

Decorating with ribbon

Choose the Right Ribbon: Select a ribbon that complements the colour and theme of your wedding shower. You can opt for a solid colour or go with a fun pattern. The width of the ribbon can vary depending on your preference, but you will need enough length to wrap around each tier of the cake.

Cut the Ribbon: Use sharp scissors to cut your ribbon from the spool. You will need three pieces of ribbon, measuring 60", 40", and 30" in length. These measurements will allow you to wrap and tie bows around each tier of the cake.

Wrap and Secure the Ribbon: Start with the largest tier of your cake and wrap the ribbon around it. You can secure the ribbon by gluing the ends together or tying it in a bow. Repeat this process for the remaining tiers, using the corresponding ribbon lengths. If you prefer a seamless look, you can cut off the rubber bands holding the towels together after securing the ribbon.

Add Embellishments: Ribbons can be further embellished with decorative items such as silk flowers, pearls, or other accents. You can also attach kitchen utensils or small gifts to the ribbon for a unique touch. Simply push the items in between the towels or secure them with hot glue.

Personalise the Ribbon: If you want to make the towel cake even more special, consider personalising the ribbon with the couple's names, their wedding date, or a meaningful quote. You can use embroidery, fabric paint, or even glue-on letters to add this personal touch.

By following these steps and adding your own creative flair, you can create a stunning wedding shower towel cake that is sure to impress the guests and honour the happy couple.

Adding finishing touches

Now that you have your towel cake, it's time to decorate it! Here are some ideas for adding those final flourishes:

Flowers

Flowers are a beautiful way to add colour and elegance to your cake. You can use silk flowers, fresh flowers, or a combination of both. Choose flowers that complement the colour of your towels and the overall theme of the bridal shower. Place the flowers in between the layers of towels, or use wire cutters to trim the stems and gently push them into the top centre of the cake. You can also add some greenery, such as leaves or baby's breath, to create a more natural look.

Ribbons

Ribbons are an essential part of a towel cake, not only for decoration but also to help keep the cake together. Choose ribbons that match the colour scheme of the bridal shower or the bride's favourite colours. Cut the ribbons to the desired length and wrap them around each tier of the cake. You can secure the ribbons with glue, double-sided tape, or simply tie them into bows. If you want to add some sparkle, consider using ribbons with glitter or metallic accents.

Utensils and Gifts

If you're creating a kitchen-themed towel cake, you can add kitchen utensils as decorations. Choose items with long handles that can be easily tucked into the layers of towels, such as wooden spoons, spatulas, or even a whisk. You can also add other small gifts that the bride might appreciate, such as a cute apron, a recipe book, or some baking essentials. These items can be placed on top of the cake or tucked into the layers for a surprise.

Cake Topper

Finish off your cake with a special cake topper. This could be a simple bunch of flowers, a personalised sign with the bride's name or the couple's initials, or even a cute figurine that represents the bride's interests or hobbies. The cake topper should be the focal point of your cake, so choose something that will make a statement and wow the guests.

Extras

There are endless possibilities for extra decorations to make your cake truly unique. Consider adding some sparkle with rhinestones, pearls, or crystal confetti. You can also incorporate some themed items, such as a small cake stand, a recipe book, or even a set of champagne flutes for a romantic touch. Get creative and think about what the bride would love to see on her special day!

Remember, the most important thing is to have fun with the process and let your creativity shine. Enjoy crafting this beautiful and practical gift for the bride-to-be!

Frequently asked questions