Tea Towels

Tea towels are a nice way to add seasonal decor to your kitchen and they are also a functional gift.  You can whip these up in minutes, but watch out, they are addicting to make!  Before getting started, here is a quick list of supplies you will need.  

Supplies:

• Tea towels or flour sack towels
• Fabric Scraps
• Cardstock Paper
• Marking Tool (fabric pen or hera marker)
• Scissors
• Pins
• Iron
• Sewing Machine & Thread

First, you will have to decide what shapes you would like to add to your tea towels.  Cut out the shapes on cardstock paper to create tracing templates.  You can also make small quilt blocks to add to your towels (as pictured below).  

Using your iron, press both the towel and the fabric, so there are no wrinkles where you will be sewing.  Place your cardstock template on top of your fabric and trace the shape using a fabric marker or hera marker.  

The next step is your personal preference.  You can cut out the shape before sewing onto the towel or after sewing it onto the towel.  I prefer to cut out after, as I find it's easier to sew on.  Pin your fabric onto the towel to hold in place while sewing.  

(Pictured here, I cut out the shape prior to sewing on.)

Next, you can choose what color thread and what type of stitch you would like to use.  Have fun with this part, choose threads that stand out against the fabric and experiment with different stitches on your machine.  

Make sure you have the proper foot on your machine for the stitch you chose.  This part is important, or you will end up with a broken needle...not fun!

Slowly stitch along your traced lined.  

Remove pins and trim excess thread.  If you did not cut out the shape prior to sewing, now is the time to carefully cut the remaining fabric.  I like to cut about 1/4" away from the stitch line.  

This tutorial leaves the towel with a raw edge, which will fray a bit after washing.  Personally, I like this look, but if you prefer a more finished edge, you can press the edge under prior to sewing on.  Or you can stitch right along the edge.  

Once you have cut away excess fabric, they are ready to use!  I recommend washing prior to using, to make sure all stitching held up.  

Share what you made with me!  Tag me on Instagram @lindseymakes.

All fabrics used in this tutorial are from the fabric collection Juniper designed by Sharon Holland for Art Gallery Fabrics.  This blog post is part of Sharon Holland's Gifting Handmade - 2024 Maker's Showcase.  For more projects featured in the showcase, search on Instagram using the hashtag #giftinghandmadeshowcase2024.