A couple weekends ago was my sister-in-law’s bridal shower that was given by my mother-in-law. The shower was french themed since the couple will be honeymooning in France. I took lots of pictures of all the amazing details from the bridal shower, but I’ll share those with you in another post.
For now I wanted to share a fun little gift idea that I came up with. I really wanted to make something for my sister-in-law, but with the craziness that comes with life with a newborn and two toddlers, I just decided that this was not the right time. However, I still wanted to do something kind of crafty. Have you seen those diaper cakes that some people make for baby showers? Well, I thought I would try to make something similar, but use dish towels instead of diapers.
I purchased three packs of solid color dish towels as well as one with a print. I rolled up each dish towel and put a elastic hair-tie to hold it in place. I got a pie dish that I decide was going to be the base for my cake. I put a small, round craft box (the cardboard kind) in the middle and put the dish towels on their sides surrounding the box. Once I had put the dish towels all the way around, I took a grosgrain ribbon and tied it around all the towels.
For the second tier, I laid a dish towel that was folded on the top of the craft box lid to give me a little more height. Then I placed more rolled up dish towels all together. This time there was nothing in the middle. Once I had them all on top, I tied the grosgrain ribbon around them to hold in place. I used straight pins to secure the top tier to the bottom tier.
For added decoration, I folded a printed dish towel and wrapped in around the top tier and made a bow.
Once the cake was complete, I needed to add something to the top. I had purchased a french rolling pin and I stuck that into the middle of the top tier. Then I placed bamboo cooking utensils into the middle of the rolled up towels on the top. I put an oven mitt over the top of the rolling pin and put the other oven mitt in front. I had one extra dish towel, so I folded that and place it behind the rolling pin which actually added a little more support. I tried to pick a print on the dish towel that looked sort of french country.
Since the shower was french themed, I thought I would try to make the gift entirely themed. I bought four Le Creuset french ramekins and a baking dish as well as on of my favorite cookbooks, Barefoot Contessa Paris by Ina Garten.
Lindsay Wilkes is the owner and designer behind The Cottage Mama. She creates timeless, vintage inspired sewing patterns for children’s clothes. She is also a fabric designer for Riley Black Designers / Penny Rose Fabrics, author of the book ‘Sew Classic Clothes for Girls’ and can be seen teaching nationwide and online in her video series ‘Lessons with Lindsay’ sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing and Embroidery machines.
that’s such a great idea!
What a wonderful gift idea! I LOVE Ina, she is the best chef ever!
What a great idea! I love putting together “gift baskets” for showers…..this just takes it to a whole new level!
I’ve seen diaper cakes, but never dishtowel cakes.. and that is brilliant! What fun gift to make.. give.. or receive!
Fab idea, and I love Le Creuset stuff, I would have really appreciated this gift :o)
So awesome! Way cooler than diaper cakes, which I’ve always found a bit weird. Your gift was super fun, I hope she really liked it!
Wow. Awesome gift. I want to get married all over again and totally invite YOU to the shower. 🙂
This is an awesome gift! Nicely Done!! I will have to copy it, thank you for the pictures!!
Le Creuset for the win! I have a large casserole of theirs and it’s wonderful! It goes from stove top to oven and cleans up like a charm. plus it’s gorgeous. 🙂 Saving this idea for my daughter’s upcoming (Aug) wedding..
What a great twist on old idea! I have a bridal shower coming up and might have to give this a try. 🙂
I love this idea – you are so clever! I made a diaper cake for my sister-in-law’s baby shower, and it was so much easier to make than I thought it would be. I will have to try this for my engaged friends’ showers coming up! Thanks!
what a cute idea! i’m stopping by from tatertots and jello. i’d love for you to check out the huge giveaway going on at my blog- http://thelovelypoppy.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-follower-giveaway.html
What a cute idea. I will have to remember this one!
This is a beautiful idea, I am pinning it!
What a wonderful idea! 🙂 Thanks for sharing Lindsay!
cute housewarming or new neighbor gift! Shared on my FB page. facebook.com/homeconfetti
Such a great gift idea! Thanks for sharing! I will be “pinning” it as well!
Chrissy @
http://www.everydaywiththejays.blogspot.com
I LOVE this! I would love if you would share this at the Crazy Cute link party happening at Between U & Me right now! I’ve got a totally awesome giveaway this week, too!
OOH! AND, I’m your newest follower! 😉
http://www.betweenuandme.com
What a great gift!
This is ADORABLE. ANd you are invited to my bridal shower now, too. (Well, um, it was in 1999, but…)
Why would a diaper cake be weird? We made one for my daughter-in-law back in September and those diapers were very practical!
Great idea!! thanks for sharing.. I have a bridal shower coming up and might have to give this a try. 🙂