My contribution to Towel Lore is my amazing and versatile Travel Towel. I first created this as an item for my health club locker, to have a towel that FITS me that also dries fast and does not get moldy in the locker. Soon I realized it's also an essential travel item; now I have several stashed in convenient places like cars, pre-packed overnight travel bag, and club.

Go to the $1/yd table at your favorite fabric source. Sort through to find the thickest and most handsome flannel-- there are different weights and tightness of weaves. Most prized for this item is Canton Cloth, usually quite expensive-- heavy flannel that is brushed on BOTH sides, very cushy. It can even be lightweight cotton (all cotton, not cotton/poly), and I have used even very filmy cotton voile.

Whatever you find, get 2-1/2 yards. Make a simple hem on each end or, if you are terribly unhandy, just trim the ends with pinking shears until you meet up with a sewer.

Now you have a lightweight, low-bulk...

<> Towel
<> After-bath cover up
<> Bathrobe
<> Shawl
<> Sheet blanket
<> Camp chair awning
<> Emergency window-curtain
<> Emergency outhouse screen
<> Wet-Meg wrapper
<> Bath mat or bunkside rug
<> Instrument case camouflage and sunshade
<> Baby/child cocoon
<> Picnic tablecloth
<> Apron
<> Wrap skirt/kilt/dress
<> Folded-up chair pad or splinter-preventive

... and more!

With this item and a hand towel, or even a few paper towels, I can dry off and sit around comfortably in it air-drying my hair, without the bulk of packing a bath sheet and/or robe. I have a comfy extra skirt or dress I an wrap around me and top with a shirt or jacket.

This item air-dries very quickly and is small and light enough to be handwashed. After travel, throw it in the washing machine and dry it nice and fluffy. (No fabric softener-- it ruins the absorbency of the cotton.)

It will give you many years of unanticipated comfort, and make you a cheerier traveler and a happier guest!

~Susan