Unexpected Ways to Craft with Washcloths for Memorable Gifts

Crafting often involves discovering surprising uses for everyday objects, and washcloths are a prime example. Rather than handing over a plain set of washcloths at a housewarming, baby shower, or wedding, you can transform them into decorations or playful characters that draw attention to your present. Whether you create a washcloth bride and groom, a floral soap gift wrapped in washcloths, or a washcloth fish, these ideas add fun to gift-giving and leave a lasting impression.

Bride and Groom

For a wedding reception, these adorable bride and groom washcloths can serve as memorable centerpieces on each table. Choose two white washcloths; higher-quality cloths yield nicer gifts. Place one cloth flat on a table. Roll each side toward the center until you have two rolls. Fold the top of the rolls down to the bottom so the rolls sit inside the flat portion of the cloth and rest at the bottom, representing legs. Repeat with the second cloth.

On one cloth—the groom—tie an 8-inch piece of black ribbon (his "tie") about one third of the way down from the top. On the other cloth—the bride—tie a ribbon in the wedding colors. Use wiggly eyes for both figures. Make sure any adhesive you use is removable and won't damage the washcloth. Add mouths and noses with self-sticking foam, which behaves like felt and can be cut into shapes. For the bride, pin a small sprig of artificial flowers near where her arms would be. Tie another ribbon around the "bouquet." A small piece of tulle or silk can become a veil, pinned to the bride's head. Avoid glue that could harm the washcloths.

Floral Washcloth Soap

This fragrant project calls for two washcloths, one white and one colored. Begin with the white cloth. Lay it flat and fold the left side about 1 inch toward the middle. Fold it over again, and once more if needed, until the fold reaches the center of the cloth. Repeat on the right side of the white washcloth. Do the same folding for the colored cloth, but keep folding until it is about 1 inch narrower than the white cloth.

Center a bar of scented soap on the white washcloth, aligning its long edges with the left and right edges of the cloth, then fold the bottom of the white cloth up to the top, enclosing the soap. Place the soap and white cloth on top of the colored cloth and make the same bottom-to-top fold. Just above the soap, tie a ribbon, pulling tightly until the tops of the washcloths gather. Embellish the cloths and soap with real or artificial flowers, attaching them to the ribbon by tying or with hot glue. Be careful not to let glue spill onto the washcloths, as it will damage them.

Washcloth Fish

Put a travel-size bar of soap in the center of a small white washcloth, and gather the cloth around the soap until it is enclosed in a "pouch." Secure the gathered part with a rubber band; this gathered section forms the fish's tail. On the face, create eyes and a mouth using self-stick foam. On both sides, attach a crescent-moon-shaped piece of foam for fins. Give the fish as a gift, or use it as is for washing.