How to do Embroidery on Towels

Even the simplest hand-embroidered guest towel or dish towel adds a romantic touch to any decor and makes a personalized holiday or hostess gift. Mary Thomas, editor of Needlewoman magazine in the 1930s and author of the original classic "Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches" wrote, "One of the delights of embroidery lies in the simplicity of the materials and the lack of complicated equipment and techniques."
Floral patterns, monograms and holiday motifs are all appropriate themes for embroidery on towels. Supplies can be purchased at most arts and crafts stores. An endless number of pattern and stitch ideas---often free---are available in books, magazines and on the Internet.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Guest/Dish towel
• Embroidery needles
• Embroidery floss--cotton, linen, or wool
• Embroidery hoop
• Embroidery pattern
• Scissors
• Transfer paper

1. Choose the towel. Heavy fabrics like terry cloth are too bulky for hand embroidery. Look for light-weight, woven fabrics such as linen or cotton. Wash and, if necessary, iron.

2. Choose the design. Consider the décor and the complexity of the stitches required. Even the most elaborate monogram can be completed using a relatively simple satin stitch whereas a floral or animal motif may require more involved outline stitches or knots. Size the pattern as needed.

3. Choose the color scheme and threads. The color scheme should enhance the design and contrast the towel color.

4. Create a stitch pattern or plan. This plan does not need to be complicated however you should precisely plan which embroidery stitches you will use to complete your design. Practice any new stitches on scrap fabric.

5. Transfer the design onto the fabric using transfer paper according to manufacturer's instructions.

6. Stretch and secure the towel, pattern side up, between the bottom and top rings of an embroidery hoop.

7. Stitch design.

Tips & Warnings

• Stitches that are tight to the fabric will withstand repeated washing better than loose or "loopy" stitches. Floss or thread must be colorfast. There are many methods for transferring embroidery patterns onto fabric. If using transfer paper or transfer pens be sure they will disappear when washed. Iron-on embroidery patterns are also available. Vintage dish towels or hand towels are ideal for hand embroidery and can be found at garage sales, estate sales and on the Internet.

References

• The Embroiderer's Guild of America has free projects, glossary and educational opportunities.
• Mary Corbet's Needle'n Thread website is a blog offering free patterns and information on stitches
• Book: Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches; Mary Thomas; 1934