How to Dress Up Plain Towels

With a small investment of your time and money, your plain terry-cloth towels can sport a designer look. Here are some ideas.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Braided Trim
• Embroidery Threads
• Grosgrain Ribbons
• Lace Trims
• Fabrics
• Terry Cloth Towels
• Threads
• Terry cloth towels
• appliqués

1. 

   Choose a solid-color towel that picks up a color from the bathroom or kitchen wall, floor, fixtures, etc. Then stitch a band of grosgrain ribbon in a contrasting color that's also part of the decor.

2. 

   Stitch on a washable purchased trim - such as flat lace or braid - as a border on the towel. You can also attach lace to the ends of towels for an airy look.

3. 

   Machine-embroider a pattern onto the flat-fabric (non-loopy) bands that are typically near the hem of the towel. Fabric stores sell satin thread that gives an especially nice effect when used for machine embroidery.

4. 

   Machine- or hand-embroider words ("kitchen", "his," "hers," "imagine," etc.) or monograms onto the towel.

5. Cut a band of fabric that matches the room's curtains or wallpaper. Sew it to the towel as a ruffle below the hem or as a flat band above the hem.

6. Cut a design from fabric for an appliqué (or use a purchased appliqué) that will harmonize with your bathroom decor - then overcast the appliqué's edges with a zigzag stitch onto your towel. This might be a rooster that matches the wallpaper and collectibles in the kitchen or a rose that complements the pink on the bathroom walls.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice on an old towel to get the right settings on your sewing machine (stitch width, length and tension, for example). Machine stitches tend to tighten up on towels.
• Most fabric glues are not sturdy enough to hold up through the many washings that most towels endure, so it's better to sew on the embellishments.
• Buttons and faux gems can be used in moderation. But they can be scratchy and sometimes are too fragile for the washing machine.

on 11/22/2005 Make a one-inch band of crochet
edging to fit the towel. You
can add beads and small ribbon
bows. I made a small fan and
put it above the band with pearls and a small ribbon bow.

on 11/22/2005 Even rather inexpensive towels can make great gifts when dressed up this way. Make sure you know the recipient's taste and color scheme first - or stick to neutrals like white, beige or ivory.