How to Make Tea Towels

A tea towel is used for drying dishes and silverware after washing. Sometimes a clean tea towel can be spread over a tray under tea things when serving tea. A tea towel can also be used to keep pastries warm.

Linen is the most popular fabric used for tea towels because this can be used to dry delicate plates and silverware without worrying about scratching. Tea towels are made with simple weave fabrics and generally not a looped terry. Tea towels are typically hand towel size.

Tea towels can also be made out of less expensive cotton, making these tea towels good daily-use towels. Tea towels can be decorated with embroidery as well.

Tea towels are easy and affordable to make. Cotton or linen can be cut to size and simply hemmed. Sewers who can embroider can embellish a tea towel, or they can also be left plain. Tea towels are useful in the kitchen because they can be used to cover hot foods, dry dishes, or other kitchen jobs.

Things You'll Need

• 27 by 19-inch piece of cotton or linen fabric
• 4 inches cotton twill tape
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Iron

Instructions

1. Press a 1/4-inch seam around the edge of the fabric piece. Fold the edge over another 1/4-inch and press it well with a steam iron to enclose the raw edge.

2. Cut the ends of cotton twill tape at opposite 45-degree angles. Insert the cotton tape into one of the top right corners so the ends fit under the pressed folds and pin the tape in place. This is creating a loop that will be used to hang the tea towel from a hook.

3. Sew the pressed hem down close to inside edge, making sure to securely sew the corners down. Check to be sure that the twill tape is in the correct position before sewing. If desired, sew around the towel again 1/4-inch inside of first hem, making a double hem.

Tips & Warnings

• This is an easy method of making a unique and custom-made tea towel that can match or complement any kitchen decor. These make wonderful hostess gifts as well. Simple embroidery can be added to one or both width edges to embellish if desired.