Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Tutorial Tuesday - Fancy Pants Hand Towels for Under $2!

I have new towels for my kitchen!



Maybe that doesn't sound like a big deal, but I can never find anything that I like that matches my kitchen. First of all, it's cherry red {already painted when we moved in} with kind of a hodge-podge of mismatched appliances, and ugly cabinets to top it off... so I have trouble accessorizing. Secondly, truth be told - I'm picky. It can get ridiculous at times. I still don't have a matching set of bath/hand/wash towels for the master bath because nothing I've come across speaks to my splishy-splashy side. 
Eh, all in good time I guess. HAHA!

I'm getting off topic, sorry! 

So I'm excited about my little kitchen towels! 
There's only one thing that could make this whole scenario better, and that's if I had made them. 
Oh wait! I DID! Yay me!

P.S. The whole project cost under $2 to make {that's less than $1 per towel!!} 
Now that's a winner in my book!

And because I love you all so much I whipped up a little tutorial so you can make your own fancy pants towels using a couple of scraps and your pocket change. Let's get started!


~ Dressed Up Hand Towels ~

Wal*Mart, 2 pack, $1.68. 
SCORE!


My fabric was a little scrap left over from a jelly roll, ribbon was a scrap from my white felt wreath, and the lace stuff a scrap from a ribbon scrap pack I bought at Hobby Lobby ages ago. You don't need much of anything to do this project, these particular towels are only 15" wide to give you an idea.

First, lay your pieces out across the short side of your towel to make sure they are long enough with a bit leftover at each end to fold under and hem. I left about an inch on each end.



I started with my fabric since I knew I wanted it on the bottom. I planned to sew the ribbon and the lace over the top of the raw edges of the fabric so I wouldn't have to do any more hemming than necessary.

I folded under and pinned the edges down first, then used the wonky little zig-zag stitch 
to attach it to the towel. Clean edges, pretty little ziggy zaggy.


Next, I pinned and basted down the long edges. I know I'm going to be attaching the ribbon and lace 
over the fabric, so I mostly just need it to stay down and in place. The real reinforcing will come later.


Now more pinning for the lace...
{what is that stuff? Seriously, I have no idea what to call it, so I'm just going with lace for now.}
And again with the wonky zig zag stitch to make sure this stays in place and can be machine washed.


I did the same thing for the ribbon on top that I did for the fabric: 
Pinned and basted on both the top and bottom long edge. 
Somehow I managed to miss taking the pic on this one so you'll just have to use your imagination, haha!

Iron out any wrinkles, and ta-da! Pretty little dish towel!



They're SO easy, and you already have an extra towel, so why not make it two?


 Two is better than one anyway, I think. :)



Since I made these two, I've been digging around in my scrap box for other coordinating colors to make more. I could seriously solve my entire house-wide towel problem with what I find in my scrap box. :) 
But wouldn't they make great gifts? Housewarming parties, hostess gifts, wedding shower... 


Now let's see what you've been working on this week! I'm excited that our little linky party is growing, thanks to you all for participating and spreading the word. Don't forget, once we have at least 10 link ups I'll do a Saturday post featuring my favorites from that week. 

Grab yourself a button if you're linking up this week, and you can find all the parties I'll be linking up to this week up top under the "linky parties!" tab. There's lots of great spots on that list so definitely go check them out, and let me know if you have a party that I can add to my list!


<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EUZEMD4scxL2eZF2LEPusA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybpWehEcQYkr_bcTNwQtjMs-pSV-lbAnKMq0wQAbpkfm8Vn6I1fmUjYtVvzwqfTuazi67qG1Z7SWKRWPfgV3kkRVaYGnhKP7LJ0txiH6AQQj2x8KUcYdEuPtOudXo4oDmxEdFyxqjJ7RO/s144/Tute%20Tues%20LB.png" height="144" width="144" /></a>


Visit thecsiproject.com

XOXO




46 comments:

Meagan said...

Very pretty Rachael! I received some towels like this for Christmas one year & I love them. It's such a simple way to dress up something for less. Of course mine were no where as fancy as yours. I'm inspired! Thanks again!

keri @ shaken together said...

So pretty! I just inherited a sewing machine and I know what I'm trying out next!!

Keri
shakentogether.blogspot.com

Janet said...

This is so cute!! I LOVE IT :)

http://www.craigslistqueen.blogspot.com

Joy@Thrifty Parsonage Living said...

Your towels are so cute!!!

{northern cottage} said...

very cute! I totally will make some towels like that ONE DAY. So glad you popped over for a visit! newest follower!

Rachel // Maybe Matilda said...

Thanks for inviting me to your party ;-) Those towels are adorable! I made some similar ones a while back but I like yours better :-) I'm following you now!

Rachel @ Maybe Matilda

Rachael @ The Little Birdie said...

I'm loving all these link ups this week!! You guys are SO talented!! Keep 'em coming! :)

And WELCOME to our new partiers! Yay!

An Oasis in the Desert said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog & inviting me to join your party. I love the dishtowels. I'm crazy for black & white toile, but I'm holding off until we move. I'm already a follower & if you aren't following me yet, please do.
CAS

Stephanie McDonnell said...

Your towels are gorgeous.

Anne of Little Princess Pea said...

Those towels are beautiful! Great tutorial!

Jamie said...

Love these towels, they are so pretty! I really need to be on the lookout for some pretty fabric to go in my kitchen. I am definitely adding this to my list of things to make...

LADY JANE said...

Racheal...Just came over from Night Owls and well...looks like we found another place to flock together! We hope you willstop over and meet us too! Happy St. Patty's Day to you!

Lisa said...

Thanks for inviting me! I linked up and I really love your blog! I am your newest follower!

LADY JANE said...

Thanks for the invite...we have linked up! So sorry you were not mentioned in our post...but we will put you up next week! Hugs new FriEnDs!

Oxford Impressions said...

This is a great idea for towels. Love the black and white fabrics and ribbon too. Thanks for visiting my blog this morning. I did add my latest project to your Linky today! Thanks for the invite. I also became a follower of your blog and your facebook! Have a great day!

Kelsey said...

Love your towels. I think the ribbon and lace really makes it sophisticated!

Abby said...

Super cute! What a simple idea but so pretty!

Vivienne @ the V Spot said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog and inviting me to the party! I linked up 3 projects, grabbed a button and am following you. :)

Jena @ Involving Color and Home said...

I LOVE these towels! Great tutorial. So glad I came across your blog. I'm a new follower.

Marti said...

I love your towels. Very classy! I'm having a challenge on my blog and these (or one) will fit right in. I'd love it if you entered this project.

Marti @ http://thenextfiftyyears.blogspot.com

Kristie @ Treast and Trinkets said...

I featured this project on my blog! Thanks for sharing!

Treats and Trinkets

Esther Asbury said...

I love the towels --- gives me a great idea for my bathroom that I'm re-doing in a pink/black/white Paris theme!

Lauren @ Love, Water and Wine said...

OH my goodness! These are GREAT! Thanks for an awesome tutorial!

Paula@SweetPea said...

I love this idea! The fabric and trims that you chose are so pretty. I need several gifts in the very near future and these would be perfect for me to make.

Have you washed yours yet? I'm wondering if once you wash them if the fabrics will shrink the same amount.

Karen@SimpleBlue said...

I love your fancy pants towels! When I need new towels I'll finally get to be fancy too! Thanks for sharing!


www.HandmadeSimpleBlue.blogspot.com

Donna Baker said...

these are gorgeous! thanks for sharing where you got your towels, I have been looking for some of these to do the same thing forever~

Tanya said...

Those towels are great and look super easy

Leslie said...

Oh those towels are so cute! I featured them on Hoo's got talent! Thanks for linking up to the party!

Renee said...

This is a great idea and makes even me (a non-sewer) want to attempt this!

The Sunflower Patch said...

Love your new fancy pants towels! I make these and sell them although, your are a lot more fancy than mine! :)

Bathroom Hand Towels said...

That's a nice touch of elegance to kitchen and bathroom hand towels at home. Great job!

Robert Clarke said...

Have been looking to get rid of all those annoying Paper Hand Towels for ages, and this is exactly what I need to get the Mrs on-board!
Thanks a bunch, you may have saved my sanity :o)

Clarky

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jantel said...

Nice collections of towels.Nice ideas of making towels.

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Unknown said...

I really like the design you put in your kitchen towel , simple towels you make it very unique, and it totally fit to your kitchen. Thank you for sharing this very inspiring idea. Love it!

Wholesale Towels said...

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Unknown said...

Nice post. Thanks for sharing this blog. its very useful for us. We also Manufacturers of Kitchen Linen Suppliers Kitchen Linens

Unknown said...


What is the colour of your bath towel ?
Toilet Rolls

Towel Depot said...

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We are offering Salon towels

Wania Sheikh said...

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Melvin Joe said...

I really loved these Embroidery designs. I will use these designs to my dish
towels for attractive and aesthetic look !!

amanda joseph said...

saloon towel

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Homes Perception said...

Wow, it looks imaginary! This is just fabulous and actually pretty easy. I'm so glad you made this
fitted sheet set

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