Monthly Project for October, 2004
Suggested Fabrics
Gift Towel
This quick and easy project makes a wonderful gift for newlyweds, new home owners, students striking out on their own, an accent for a powder room or guest bathroom, a fresh accent for your own kitchen or bath, or just a nice holiday gift for a friend.
Why We Like This Project
Start with a commercial grade towel. It can be a hand towel, kitchen towel, bath towel or beach towel. The accent fabric can be any color or theme to match your purpose. You can even add an embroidery accent to echo your theme. You can make a spectacular project even if you don't feel particulary endowed with the creativity gene.
Materials Needed
- Commercial towel, any size
- Accent Fabric, amount depends on size of towel.
Directions
Choose an accent fabric that presents the theme you are working for. It can be a fabric that matches your shower curtains or kitchen curtain for a pulled together look. It can be a favorite character for a child's own personal towel. You can use more than one print or add solid color accent strips if you wish.
How wide your accent fabric should be is up to you. A small print may need a narrow accent, as may a project going for a subtle look. Using a famous character print, a large print, or if you are going for a bold statement, may want a wider accent. Try folding your chosen fabric to determine your best width. Add about an inch to the width for turning the edges under.
Measure the width of the towel and add about an inch for turning the edges under.
Please be sure to pre-wash your fabric BEFORE cutting.
Cut your accent fabric so that the length is equal to the width of your towel plus about an inch for turning under the side edges, and about an inch wider than your chosen width.
Once you have cut your fabric accent strip turn all edges under and press. Place accent strip across the towel a few inches from the bottom. Many towels have a smooth stripe. If so, cover this with your accent strip.
Once you are happy with the placement of the fabric accent strip pin it in place and then baste. Check to be sure that the edges are tucked under and are straight.
Sew fabric accent strip to towel with a basic straight stitch, or if you like the look, a zig zag stitch or other decorative top stitch.
Remove basting thread and trim excess threads. You can do several towels in a short amount of time.
Proudly display your towel or wrap your homemade gift.