how to make a dish towel

3 min read 16-01-2025

Making your own dish towels is a rewarding project, perfect for beginners. This guide will walk you through the process, from choosing fabric to finishing the seams. You'll end up with beautiful, absorbent, and personalized dish towels for your kitchen.

Choosing Your Fabric

The right fabric is key to a great dish towel. You want something absorbent and durable. Here are some excellent choices:

Cotton: A classic choice, cotton is absorbent, soft, and relatively inexpensive. Look for 100% cotton for best results.
Linen: Linen is also highly absorbent and durable, offering a luxurious feel. It tends to be more expensive than cotton.
Cotton blends: Blends of cotton with other fibers, like linen or rayon, can offer a unique texture and blend of properties.

Pro-Tip: Pre-washing your fabric before cutting is highly recommended. This prevents shrinkage after you’ve sewn your towels.

Materials You'll Need

Before you begin, gather these essential materials:

Fabric: Approximately 1/2 yard of your chosen fabric (this will yield about two standard-sized dish towels).
Scissors: A good pair of fabric scissors is crucial for clean cuts.
Measuring tape: Accurate measurements are essential for even seams.
Pins: Use plenty of pins to hold your fabric together while sewing.
Sewing machine: While you can sew by hand, a sewing machine makes the process much quicker and easier.
Thread: Choose thread that matches your fabric color.
Iron and ironing board: Pressing seams creates a professional finish.

Cutting Your Fabric

Once you've chosen your fabric and pre-washed it, it's time to cut:

Decide on your size: Standard dish towels are usually around 16" x 24", but you can adjust this to your preference.
Cut two rectangles: Cut two rectangles of fabric to your desired dimensions. Remember to account for seam allowances (more on that below).

Sewing Your Dish Towels: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now for the fun part – sewing! Here's how to assemble your dish towels:

Pinning: Place the two rectangles of fabric right sides together (meaning the pretty sides are facing each other). Pin along all four sides, leaving about ½ inch seam allowance.
Sewing: Sew along all four sides using a straight stitch on your sewing machine. Leave a small opening (about 2 inches) on one side to turn the towel right side out.
Turning: Carefully turn the towel right side out through the opening you left. Use a blunt object, like a chopstick or knitting needle, to help poke out the corners.
Pressing: Press the seams flat, paying attention to the corners to make them crisp and neat.
Closing the opening: Fold the raw edges of the opening inward and stitch it closed. You can use a slip stitch (a hand-sewing technique) for an invisible finish, or simply sew it closed with your machine.

Adding Finishing Touches (Optional)

Want to elevate your dish towels? Consider these additions:

Hemming: For a more professional look, hem the edges before sewing the towels together. This adds durability and prevents fraying.
Embroidery: Add a personalized touch with embroidery. Monograms or simple designs look great on dish towels.
Decorative stitching: Use a decorative stitch on your sewing machine along the edges for an added design element.

Caring for Your Homemade Dish Towels

Washing: Wash your new dish towels before first use to remove any excess dye.
Drying: Tumble dry on low or hang to dry. High heat can damage the fabric.
Ironing: Ironing your dish towels will keep them looking crisp and fresh.

Making your own dish towels is a fantastic way to personalize your kitchen and have fun with your creativity. So grab your fabric and get started! You'll be amazed at how easy it is to create something beautiful and useful for your home.