BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Dress Up Plain Towels

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

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

Step1

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.

Step2

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.

Step3

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.

Step4

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

Step5

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.

Step6

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.

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Comments

Anonymous said

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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.

Anonymous said

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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.