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DIY, Sewing · January 12, 2022

How to Sew a Kitchen Tea Towel

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How to sew a kitchen towel is a beginner friendly sewing tutorial. This simple project makes a great gift and can be made in about 20 minutes!

Ticking stripe tea towel in a stainless steel pot

I was noticing the other day that my kitchen tea towels are getting low. Yes, they are fairly inexpensive but I had fabric on had already so I figured I’d just make some! Plus it adds that personal, hand-made touch to my home. There is so much satisfaction in creating things.

There is also something special about receiving a handmade gift from someone. I cherish handmade gifts because I know the time and effort that was put into creating it. This is something I’ve grown to appreciate the older I have become. I will admit that when I was younger, I did not see the value in hand-made items that I see now.

What fabric to use to sew a kitchen tea towel

You can use an array of materials to sew a simple kitchen towel. Some of my favorite options include: Cotton, Linen, Cloth diaper material, Drop cloth, and Flannel. Choose fabric that has a tight weave. Avoid any fabrics that are too stretchy or have a loose weave.

Finished picture of a handmade towel on a wooden table
Handmade ticking stripe tea towel

Uses for a kitchen tea towel

The first thing I use tea towels for is the obvious use of drying dishes. Secondly, I actually use these a lot when I’m fermenting grains. Often times I will drape a hand-sewn kitchen tea towel over my jar of Sourdough starter or dough recipes to allow the natural yeast in the air to ferment my grains.

Kitchen Tea Towels also make a great last minute gift. I don’t know about you but I’ve been stuck a time or two trying to figure out a gift idea for someone because I waited until the last minute. That is where handmade gifts come in handy. Not only can home-made gifts typically be made up quickly, but they usually save you money as well. Our budget doesn’t always allow for extra expenses and I love to save money whenever I can.

What you will need for this project

  • A sewing machine
  • 17″x21″ Piece of fabric
  • Thread to match your fabric of choice
  • Scissors
  • Iron
  • Ruler
  • Rotary cutter (Optional)

Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions for a Kitchen Tea Towel

To begin, cut a rectangle out of the fabric 17″x21″. For clean cuts and ease, use a rotary cutter for this step.

21 inches measured out with a tape measure on bleached drop cloth
17 inches measured out with a tape measure on bleached drop cloth

Next, fold each edge in 1″. Press flat with a hot iron.

1 inch measured out for step-by-step process of sewing a hand towel
Pressing down fabric with hot iron

Fold each edge 1/2″ and press again with a hot iron.

Iron on ticking stripe fabric folded

Fold the edges over again to meet the 1″ seam you ironed onto the fabric, as shown below.

Ticking stripe fabric folded by one half of an inch on a towel

Place the folded edge of the right side of the rectangle into the sewing machine. Begin to top stitch all the way down the seam.

In process backstitch image
Top stitch visual on ticking stripe fabric for a handmade kitchen tea towel
In process shot of top stitching on ticking stripe material with a sewing machine

Once you get to the end, fold the next edge and continue top stitching all the way down the next seam.

Measuring tape with in back view of towel

Once you get to where you began top stitching, back stitch a time or two to secure the thread. This will ensure that the thread does not unravel.

Handmade tea towel in a basket

And voila, there you have a hand-sewn tea towel. Continue this step-by-step process to create a pair of tea towels.

Save it for later!

Other hand-sewn projects from My abiding home:

Oven Mitts Easy DIY Tutorial

If you find this tutorial helpful, I’d love for you to come back and give it 5 stars!

Ticking stripe handmade kitchen tea towel hung on a pot on a wooden table
Print

How to Sew a Kitchen Tea Towel DIY

A beginner friendly DIY Sewing Tutorial for a Kitchen Tea Towel. This project makes a great gift and can be made in about 20 minutes!
Active Time20 mins
Keyword: DIY, Hand Sewn, Kitchen, Tea Towel
Yield: 1 Towel

Equipment

  • A Sewing machine
  • Scissors
  • Iron
  • Rotary Cutter (Optional)

Materials

  • 1 17"x21" piece Fabric of choice
  • Thread to match the fabric

Instructions

  • To begin, cut a rectangle out of the fabric 17"x21". For clean cuts and ease, use a rotary cutter for this step.
  • Next, fold each edge in 1". Press flat with a hot iron.
  • Fold each edge 1/2" and press again with a hot iron.
  • Fold the edges over again to meet the 1" seam you ironed onto the fabric.
  • Place the folded edge of the right side of the rectangle into the sewing machine. Begin to top stitch all the way down the seam.
  • Once you get to the end, fold the next edge and continue top stitching all the way down the next seam.
  • Once you get to where you began top stitching, back stitch a time or two to secure the thread. This will ensure that the thread does not unravel.
  • And voila, there you have a hand-sewn tea towel. Continue this step-by-step process to create a pair of tea towels.

Notes

Cotton, Linen, and Flannels are best for this project. Avoid using any stretchy or loose knit fabrics. 
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Deneen Kunishige says

    June 28, 2022 at 12:59 am

    Very good info. Lucky me I found your website by accident (stumbleupon). I’ve bookmarked it for later!

    Reply
  2. Rachel says

    September 12, 2022 at 2:54 am

    Very cute towels. I have never sewn my own kitchen towels, I will have to try it sometime!

    Reply

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Hello, I’m Bre! My home is full of 3 hungry, rowdy boys. I’m passionate about being the heart of my home. Follow along to see how I keep up with all the crazy, all the while living for Christ. Read more about me here.

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