How to Fold a Towel Swan

Co-authored by Lois Wade

Last Updated: November 4, 2021 Approved

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

1
Lay a bath towel flat. Be sure to orient it in the “landscape” position as shown below.
2
Fold the top two corners downwards and inwards so that they meet in the center. 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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3
Roll the two outside edges inwards toward the center. The resulting shape should like an upwards-pointing arrow.
4
Fold the resulting arrow in to a Z. 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.
5
Set the Z down and squeeze the corners to set the curves. The Z should now look like a swan.
6
Repeat for a swan companion whose neck can complete a heart shape.

Community Q&A

Question

Where do the eyes go?

Community Answer

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.
Question

Could I substitute another kind of material?

Community Answer

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

How do I fold a chicken with a kitchen towel?

Community Answer

Try YouTube.

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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