How to Fold a Towel Swan

Co-authored by Lois Wade

Last Updated: June 23, 2024 Fact Checked

Towel animals are often used by cruise lines, B&Bs and Hotels to make your stay memorable. Including some in your guest bathroom is sure to impress! To fold a towel swan, follow these directions.

Steps

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Be sure to orient it in the “landscape” position as shown below.^{[1]
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Note that, since it's not a perfect square, they won't line up with the bottom edge of the towel.

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The resulting shape should like an upwards-pointing arrow.^{[2]
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Be sure that the two bottom points of the arrow end up at the bottom of the Z and the top point, at the top.^{[3]
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The Z should now look like a swan.^{[4]
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Question

Where do the eyes go?

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In ancient Eqypt, putting eyes on a towel swan was considered to be malicious, and often towel swans with eyes would eat hotel guests. A famous example of this is when the Romans put an eyed towel swan in Cleopatra's room in Memphis. This one had googly eyes that were especially dangerous and when it bit her on the nipple she died. Therefore, you do not need to add eyes.

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Could I substitute another kind of material?

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Using a thick napkin, like the one at most sit down restaurants will work as well.

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How do I fold a chicken with a kitchen towel?

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Try YouTube.

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Tips

You can make swan babies with hand towels. Try for a towel swan family!

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You can add tails to your swans too. A simple "paper fan" type fold with a hand towel works well – or you can make the triangular scroll shape (like you used for the body) with a hand towel and fold the two corners that you rolled back under the towel. Roll the side down a little so it goes around the part you tucked under. This resembles wings when you place it on the swan's back (with the point toward the back)

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This makes a great "7 Swans A Swimming" substitute if you are doing The 12 Days of Christmas for someone. You can give 7 white bath towels, fold them like swans, and place the wash cloths as suggested above in a fan shape at the rear. Add the hand towels as the water underneath in a light blue color.

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Warnings

Make sure that the towel is totally dry before folding. Even a slightly damp towel can make the swan look slouchy and sad.

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