Creative Towel Cakes: A Unique Wedding Shower Idea

A bridal shower towel cake is a cute and creative gift for the bride-to-be. It's easy to make, and you can customise it to fit any shower theme. The cake is made by rolling up towels to look like tiers of a cake, and then decorating them with ribbon, silk flowers, and other embellishments. This gift is not just thoughtful but also practical, as the bride can use the towels after the party. You can also play a fun game with the towel cake during the bridal shower.

Choosing the right towels

The type of towels you choose will depend on the design you have in mind. If you want a classic, elegant look, opt for bath towels, which will give you a larger cake with more prominent tiers. If you want something more fun and quirky, go for kitchen towels with interesting prints. You will need either two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths, or six kitchen towels and four dishcloths.

It is best to use thick, high-quality towels for this project, as they will hold their shape better and give your cake a more luxurious look. Choose towels that are smooth and soft to the touch, as these will be easier to work with and will give your cake a more polished appearance. Consider the colour scheme of your cake and the theme of the bridal shower when selecting your towels. You may want to use the wedding colours or opt for something more neutral, like white or ivory.

If you are feeling creative, you could even embroider the towels with the couple's initials or a special message. This will add a unique and personalised touch to your cake. If you plan to do this, make sure you allow enough time for the embroidery to be completed before you start assembling your cake.

Once you have selected your towels, remove any store tags and lay them out flat, ready for folding and rolling.

Folding and rolling the towels

Folding the Towels:

Firstly, lay out your towels on a flat surface. For bath towels, fold them in half lengthwise twice, creating a long, narrow shape. Repeat this process for all your bath towels. For hand towels, a single fold lengthwise should suffice.

Rolling the Towels:

Now, take one bath towel and begin rolling it from one end to the other, keeping the roll as tight and neat as possible. Secure the ends of the towel to itself using safety pins or rubber bands. Repeat this process for all your bath towels, creating the base layer of your cake.

For the next layer, take your hand towels and follow the same process of rolling and securing. This layer will be slightly smaller than the base layer. Finally, repeat with the washcloths to create the top layer of your cake.

Combining the Layers:

Once all your layers are rolled and secured, it's time to combine them. Place the largest layer (bath towels) at the bottom, followed by the medium layer (hand towels), and finally, the smallest layer (washcloths) on top. You can use a wooden dowel through the centre of the cake for added stability, especially if you plan to transport the cake.

Final Touches:

Before adding any decorations, you may want to wrap each layer with a ribbon, tying it in a bow or securing it with glue or tape at the back. This adds a stylish touch and can also help to hide any safety pins or rubber bands.

Now your wedding shower cake made of towels is ready for the finishing touches! You can add silk flowers, ribbon, or other embellishments to make it truly unique and beautiful.

Stacking the layers

Firstly, you'll need to decide whether you want to use a wooden dowel to hold the layers together. This is an optional step, but it can be useful if you're planning on transporting the cake. If you do opt for a dowel, place it in the centre of your cake stand, ready for the first layer.

Now it's time to assemble the layers. Start with the largest layer—this will be the base of your cake. Carefully place it on the cake stand, or, if you're using a dowel, slide the layer onto the dowel. You can use a little hot glue on the stand to help secure the layer, but be careful not to use too much, as you don't want it to seep through the towels.

Next, add the middle layer. This will be made up of your hand towels. Again, if you're using a dowel, slide the layer onto that, or simply place it centrally on top of the first layer. You can use a little double-sided tape or hot glue to secure the layers together, but remember, this is optional.

Finally, add the smallest layer—the washcloths—on top. If you're using a dowel, your cake should now be nice and secure. If not, you can use a little glue or double-sided tape between the layers to hold them in place.

Now your cake is stacked and ready for the finishing touches!

Adding ribbons and decorations

You will need about 130 inches of ribbon in total. Cut the ribbon into 60", 40", and 30" lengths. The longer piece of ribbon will be used for the bath towels, which form the base of the cake, and the shorter pieces will be used for the hand towels and washcloths, respectively. Tie each piece of ribbon around its respective layer in a bow, and then trim the ends at an angle with sharp scissors. Dull scissors will fray the ribbons and result in uneven cuts.

If you prefer, you can use double-sided tape or hot glue to secure the ends of the ribbon together, rather than tying it in a bow. This will give your cake a neater appearance.

You can also use the ribbon to cover up any rubber bands or safety pins that you may have used to secure the towels. Simply wrap the ribbon around each tier, making sure to cover any unsightly fasteners, and then glue or tape the ends together.

Once you have added the ribbons, you can start decorating your cake with various embellishments. Popular choices include silk flowers, lace, and other decorative accents. You can also add small gifts or kitchen utensils to make the cake even more special. Get creative and choose decorations that match the colour scheme or theme of the wedding.

Finally, don't forget to add some finishing touches to the top of your cake. This could be a large silk flower or a grouping of small flowers, silk rose petals, or other decorative filler items. If you are transporting your cake, you may want to secure a wooden dowel through the centre of the cake to stabilize it.

Transporting the cake

Transporting a towel cake is a delicate task, but with the right preparation, it can be done without a hitch! Here are some tips to ensure your beautiful creation arrives intact:

Use a Box or Carrier:

Provide a protective cover for your towel cake by using a box or cake carrier. If you opt for a box, choose one that is the same size as the cake's base to prevent sliding. You can also make your own box by taping up the ends of a larger box and cutting a slit down the side to create a side opening. This way, you can gently slide the cake into the box without having to worry about it tipping over.

Flat Surfaces Only:

Avoid placing the towel cake on car seats or laps during transport. Instead, utilise clean floorboards or the trunk of your car to provide a flat and stable surface. Push the front seat all the way back to make room and consider adding a non-slip shelf liner or rubber mat to prevent sliding and provide extra stability.

Chill the Cake:

Firm up your buttercream or cream cheese-frosted cake by chilling it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before transport. This will help the frosting set and reduce the chances of it melting or sliding off during the journey.

Plan Your Route:

Give yourself ample time to drive slowly and carefully. Avoid sudden stops and bumpy roads as much as possible. If the route includes challenging terrain, consider transporting the tiers separately and assembling the cake upon arrival.

Cushion and Absorb Shock:

Place a soft towel, yoga mat, or beach towel underneath the cake box to absorb shock and provide a cushioned barrier. This will help minimise the impact of bumps and vibrations during the journey.

Emergency Kit:

Prepare an emergency kit with essential tools and supplies, such as extra ribbon, safety pins, scissors, and any decorative elements. This way, if any minor damage occurs during transport, you can easily fix it before the event.

Secure with a Dowel:

Consider using a wooden dowel to hold the layers of your towel cake together during transport, especially if it is heavily decorated or has draped embellishments. The dowel will provide extra stability and reduce the risk of the layers shifting or falling apart.

Frequently asked questions