How to Make a Towel Swan

To make a towel swan, roll both long sides of a flat bath towel tightly into the centre, fold the rolled towel in half so the rolls face outward, then shape one end into a curved neck and head and fan the other end out as the body and tail. It is the classic hotel and cruise-ship towel animal, and with a firm roll it comes together in a few minutes. Here is the full method, plus a quick elephant variant.

What do I need to make a towel swan?

• One large bath towel or, for a bigger result, a bath sheet. A full-size rectangular towel works far better than a small one.
• A flat surface such as a bed or table.
• Optional: two small buttons, googly eyes or a folded face cloth for decoration.

A slightly stiffer, freshly laundered towel holds its shape better than a very soft, well-worn one.

How do I fold a towel swan step by step?

1. Lay the towel flat. Spread it out lengthways in front of you so the long edges run left to right.
2. Roll the first side in. Starting at one long edge, roll the towel tightly and evenly toward the centre. Keep the roll firm; a loose roll will sag later.
3. Roll the second side in. Roll the opposite long edge to the centre the same way, so you end up with two equal rolls meeting in the middle, like a scroll.
4. Fold in half. Slide one hand under the centre and fold the towel in half along the seam where the rolls meet, so the two rolls sit together on the outside and the folded join forms the underside.
5. Lift the neck. Take hold of the top corner of the folded end, where both rolls come to a point, and pull it upward and outward to draw out a long, thin neck.
6. Curve the head. Bend the very tip of that drawn-out point back on itself to form the swan's head and beak, leaving a graceful S-curve in the neck.
7. Fan the tail. At the opposite end, gently spread and lift the loose layers of towel so they flare upward into a fanned tail.
8. Stand it up and finish. Sit the swan upright on its body, adjust the neck so it balances, and add eyes if you like.

If the neck will not stand on its own, your initial rolls were probably too loose. Re-roll more tightly and try again. For more on rolling technique, see how to roll towels.

How do I make a quick towel elephant?

An elephant is a friendly variant that uses the same rolling idea and pairs well with a swan in a display.

1. Roll a hand towel. Roll both long edges of a hand towel to the centre to make a double scroll, as with the swan.
2. Fold it into a U. Bend the scroll into a U shape so the two rolled ends point the same way; these become the front legs and the body sits behind.
3. Make the head. Fold a face cloth or small towel into a triangle, then roll the long point loosely to form a trunk.
4. Attach the head. Tuck the folded edge of the head between the two rolls at the front, leaving the trunk hanging down.
5. Add ears and eyes. Fold back the corners of the head piece to suggest ears, and add eyes to finish.

Tips for the best display

• Roll tightly and evenly. Firmness is what separates a crisp swan from a droopy one.
• Use a larger towel. A bath sheet gives a taller neck and a fuller tail than a small towel.
• Work on a flat, firm surface so the rolls stay straight.
• Pose it on a bed or basket and add a flower, a folded face cloth or a few petals for a finished, hotel-style look.
• Keep towels clean and dry. Display towels should be freshly laundered; see the towel care guide for keeping them looking their best.

For everyday neatness rather than display pieces, our how to fold towels guide covers practical folds.

The bottom line

A towel swan is just two tight rolls, a fold and a shaped neck, yet it turns an ordinary bath towel into a centrepiece. Roll firmly, draw out a graceful neck, fan the tail and stand it up. Once you have the swan, the same rolling trick gives you an elephant and plenty of room to experiment.