Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Hand towel love

I don't know about your household, but around here you'd be hard pressed to find a hand towel! It's not that we don't own any, it's just that the boys use them for every thing else besides drying their hands!
Last year Doug's mom gifted me with some hanging hand towels that his grandmother made. They were beautifully crocheted vintage towels and I actually used them! The button loop hanger was perfect ~ and they stayed put! But I soon felt the need to put such a treasure away for safe keeping. I certainly didn't want to ruin them or find the boys giving Abby a bath with them!


I found some cute and colorful towels at Walmart for $4.00 for a pack of 24 and decided that they needed some fabric hangers to keep them from wandering off. I scoured the internet and found a free downloadable pattern HERE.
In about an hour I had a set of six pretty little hanging hand towels! They certainly brighten up my very white kitchen! I just love them!
I think this is going to be part of our handmade Christmas gifts this year, so friends and family send me your kitchen colors and I'll make you a set, too!


63 comments:

Eden said...

I needed this! It is now on my Projects To Do list in my Favorites!

Rachel said...

Well, while I doubt I am on your Christmas list, lol, my kitchen is in red and white (VERY white) and black (well, ORB, but still).

I think this would be really easy to do in those colors. But I can safely say that I don't think that I've got a real problem finding dishtowels...:-)

But the boys are still young (mine are), and so I may end up needing to make some...lol. :-)

Thanks for sharing!

Mom2fur said...

My husband would tie our towels to the oven handle because the kids were always making off with them for 'placemats.' So now I try to put hangers on them whenever I can. It's a fun and quick project. I've never seen this particular pattern, so I'm definitely going to check it out. Thanks! It looks really cute on your towels.

Alison said...

I love the bright colors you used for these!

Unknown said...

Cute!! I have a white kitchen in need of color - and handtowels, too! Love these!

Kristy said...

LOVE those. my kids are always using my hand towels as face cloths in the bathrooms. driving me crazy when guests go in and no hand towels are there.

with that pattern did you follow the instructions? i was confused with the two buttons they said and why would you need flannel?

JoAnnC. said...

Kristy, I used regular fabric with no flannel. I think the flannel makes it a bit more "quilted", and the two buttons is so that you can use both sides of the towel to hang. I only used one button and it's fine (mainly because I was too lazy to sew on two!)

Anonymous said...

these are so cute! I want to be on your Christmas list as well! lol great colors! thanks for sharing

Anonymous said...

I recently bought a hand-crocheted version at a pumpkin patch gift store. One was $4. It has no sentimental value, so I'm good with using it. But ONE? LOL! I need about ten, so I think I shall make them! I'm not one to crochet, so this would be great!

Anonymous said...

Did you use hand towels like is in the pattern or washcloths?

Unknown said...

I was browsing Pinterest and saw your towels I recognized them immediately as I LOVE this pattern by kleio's belly! This is definitely my go-to hostess/housewarming present. Love the fabrics you used! I always use white towels but will have to try colorful ones like yours. Happy Holidays!

Anonymous said...

I use to tie a string on a hairbrush and then tie it to the sink,, same concept
.

Jen @ frazzled 5 said...

So excited about these towels- I have "Learn to Sew" on my bucket list- this look like the perfect first project! New Follower over from pinterest!
~Jen @ hutchinsonherd.blogspot.com

Silvinha said...

I love this , I'll make at this week end . Thanks

http://tearpiaocupacional.blogspot.com/

cstinnette said...

do you sell these?

caitlin.stinnette@yahoo.com

Mere said...

I would like to know if you sell these, too! I don't have a sewing machine so I'd be happy to buy!

mcginnis.meredith@yahoo

JoAnnC. said...

Right now I just don't have the time to make and sell these. I just had a baby (#5!) four months ago and I just returned to working full time. Maybe if I get the time and get on a sewing spree I can contact you, but for now my plate is so full! Thanks for asking though!

Tortilla Depot said...

I am making this now but dont have the flannel. I am making 3 of them, I will show you what they look like if you would like :)

Tortilla Depot said...

I am making these tonight and will put up on my blog http://tortilladepot.blogspot.com/
I hope they are as cute as yours!

Nazifa Mazni said...

thanks for sharing...I want make it too..

Cold Hands Warm Heart | Crafts said...

Wonderful tutorial! I featured you on my tutorial roundup! Thanks for sharing!

Caroline
Cold Hands Warm Heart Crafts
http://www.coldhandswarmheartcrafts.com/2012/05/tutorial-roundup.html

amyjguerra said...

How do you "finish" the bottom edge (where the towel sews in)? It's clearly finished, but the instructions say nothing about it. Do you just iron it under before sewing the towel in?

JoAnnC. said...

Yes, just turn up the edge of the fabric about 1/2 and inch and tuck the towel in and sew.

Anonymous said...

Hi these towels I really like. However I don't sew. Would anyone be interested in making some for me to purchase? Thanks

junesummer said...

God is good! My mother in law just came up from fl. and saw a towel I had gotten from my aunts estate. She said she never liked the crocheted ones, but loved the fabric one I had. I was thinking I could possibly come up with a design(knowing full well I wouldn,t when low and behold I stumbled upon your site. Now I know what she will be getting for Christmas. Thanks again

karebeartx80 said...

You should sell these on Etsy! In don't sew, therefore!

TerriT said...

Were the towels washcloth size or in the kitchen towel size?

loharle321 said...

Cannot figure out where the flannel goes in this pattern. Says it goes on the bottom of the two material pieces, but that would leave the back flannel, not patterned material. I am guessing that the flannel goes in the middle of the pieces?????

Margo said...

I sew these! I love them for the reasons you stated. I started selling them in my etsy shop and they've been very popular:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThriftatHome?ref=seller_info

Lisa Adams said...

I have a sewing machine and sell handmade things from my Facebook page SewMuchLoveForYou@facebook.com
If anyone would like me to make some of these towels for them please let me know!

Brenda C said...

My Granny always made these for all her married granddaughters as Christmas gifts. I loved mine and never seemed to have enough. Granny passed away last year and I've been thinking about starting to make them. Sort of taking over Granny's role. I wasn't planning on using a pattern but this pattern will work just fine. Thanks so much for sharing it!

shelley said...

Hey I have a question about the bottom. How do you make the hem at the bottom with out sewing all the way through?
Thanks!
Shelley

JoAnnC. said...

@ Shelly, it's a prefinished towel, no hemming needed.

Linda P said...

I just finished making a dozen of these towels and I love them! I did not use the flannel on the inside, and they came out just fine. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Does the tab absolutely have to be cut out as a separate piece? I'm a beginner's beginner, but, I keep looking at the picture, wondering why you couldn't just cut the whole top out as one piece (one front, one back with the extended tab)?

Then, sew Velcro tabs on the undersides of the tab to flap over, and sew the bottom onto the outside of the tab (no buttonhole needed)?

I'm a beginner, so I know there's a flaw in my thought process somewhere, but ya'll will let me know!

Hugs!

Unknown said...

Couldn't you just cut the front and back out as one piece with a "self" tab to fold over.

Then, sew Velcro tabs onto the undersides of the tab to flap over, and sew the bottom onto the outside (no buttonhole needed)?

Anonymous said...

I just got through cutting the pattern pieces out, but I'm confused with the directions about "overlap the tabs and glue or tape in place?" That would leave the tab as a raw edge once it is turned right side out, wouldn't it?

Anonymous said...

The kitchen towels I bought must be too thick because I can't sew the bottom edge.... any suggestions?? :/

Amy said...

Thank you soooooo much for posting this pattern! I can't wait to make one now!

Anonymous said...

I made 26 of these last month. My take on a couple of posters questions. Pattern is 2 pieces to conserve fabric. Cut this way, quarter yard makes two towels. Flannel is softer than interfacing. I used interfacing. I also use snaps. I think they are less fiddling when hanging on stove. I am amazed O P found 24 towels for 4 dollars. I paid average of 3 dollars each. My towels may be thicker. Thinner towels would be easier to sew.

Anonymous said...

Testing. I made a long comment. Seems to be delayed by moderator. Nancy

Wilkin97 said...

Hello, I totally love these & hope to make them as gifts this year for Christmas. I went to wal-mart & the only bulk items I saw were wash cloths...I've looked at the picture 100 times & I am convinced it looks like a washcloth too, but I don't want to do it wrong. I noticed several others asked that question, but I didn't see an answer. Help please ;) Thanks! LaDonna

JoAnnC. said...

Yes, these were large washcloths. If you use towels they need to be thinner and cut the end hem off to reduce bulk.

Crafts a la Mode said...

My grandmother used to make these in the 70's but they are certainly appropriate now and yours are lovely. Thanks for showing how. Linda

Jessica said...

What size towel did you use? Washcloth or hand towel size? I found a pack of 18 at walmart for $4 but they are washcloths. Thanks so much! I can't wait to make these.

JoAnnC. said...

These were a large washcloth size. Ive used the handtowels too, just cut off the top hem of them before gathering. The hem makes them too bulky.

Unknown said...

What should I do with the bottom of the handle? Should I hem it before sewing the towel in?

JoAnnC. said...

Sarah, I just fold the bottom edge under, pin well, and sew the holder to the towel in one line stitch.

Natalie said...

I love this idea! I am a beginner sewer and the pattern instructions are a little confusing to me ( I need pictures, lol). I am going to guess and figure it out on my own by looking at what you've done. :) Thanks for the idea and pattern!

Amanda s said...

I just made two of these as a test for Christmas presents and they look great. I'd love to share a photo If you tell me how.

Clay & Diane Carlson said...

Yes, I agree, the instructions are VERY confusing! I am a long time sewer, but I think I am going to wing it. Can't figure out why I have cut out four pieces - ???? I think I am going to start out sewing those two pieces together!? Would you ever consider posting a clearer tutorial?

Thanks!!!

Diane

Anonymous said...

Can someone send me a link to the pattern?

Anonymous said...

Please send me a link, maybe I'm missing it, but I really want to make these. Thanks!!

Rdcruz40@gmail.com

JoAnnC. said...

The link to the pattern and directions are in the blog post!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I think the directions are very clear unless you are like me and just glance at them and try to make the towels without looking back again. Put flannel on wrong side of fabric on the first one. should have known better The pattern pieces are to be taped together before you cut the material that way you have two pieces plus flannel liner to sew together. I turned to bottom of the holder under and sewed a hem before I put the towel inside that way you don't have mess with pins while you are tucking in the towel. Started 15 of them last night, my machine crashed before I was done. Selling them at a garage sale to make money for a food bank I work at. Glad I found this site

Anonymous said...

Thank you so very much for the template and tutorial. I'm really new to sewing and it was a fabulous experience as one of my first projects. The button hole made me nervous but after failing my first attempt I got the hang of it. Thanks again - I know my aunt is going to like this as a christmas gift.

Unknown said...

Hello, My daughter gave me her old sewing machine and asked me to make her a few things. The list keeps growing and growing. She had asked me to make a hanging towel and I will of course. After reading your blog and printing the directions, I am ready to make her one or three. Thank you for making this so easy.

Jack

Rosie said...

Can't access the pattern. It is password protected on their blog. SO frustrating!!!

Pat said...

Pattern link is password protected. Can't get to the pattern! Any suggestions? Thanks!

JoAnnC. said...

Oh no! Just did a quick google search on Hand Towel Toppers and came up with this free pattern. It's different from the one in the blog, but you can adapt it by elongating the fold over piece: http://sewing.about.com/library/towelpatterns.pdf

Lindsey said...

Very cute! I'm hoping to make some of these in the next few days!

Thegiftsguy said...

Those look really easy to make, thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Thank you for this easy pattern :)