How to Add Lace & Fabric to a Bath Towel
Transform a plain bath towel into a beautiful one by adding contrasting fabric and pretty lace. This is an excellent project both children and adults can make in a variety of themes. Make several to give as gifts for weddings, birthdays, holidays such as Christmas or for a special occasion. One-of-a-kind personalized and decorated bath towels also make great swim towels, easy to recognize and identify by their owners. Be sure to make at least one for yourself.
Things You'll Need
- Fabric
- Lace
- Measuring tape
- Marker
- Scissors
- Iron
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Straight pins
Instructions
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1
Measure the width of the bath towel with the measuring tape. Add 1 inch to get the length of fabric and lace you'll need. In general, standard bath towels range from 27 inches by 52 inches to 30 inches by 58 inches.
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2
With a marker, measure two fabric strips 5 inches wide (each) and the length you determined in Step 1. Cut them with scissors so you have two identical pieces.
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3
Fold the fabric strips in half lengthwise (right side out) and press with a hot iron to make a crease.
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4
Fold in the edges of the pressed fabric strips 1/2 inch to create a 2-inch-wide double-fold binding tape. Press with a hot iron as you fold the edges in (carefully).
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5
Open one end of the fabric strip and fold wrong side out. Straight stitch 1/2 inch across from the end. With scissors, make a diagonal cut on the corner tip. Proceed the same way with the other end of the fabric strip. Turn the ends right side out, and push the corners out with the tip of closed scissors. Make two identical fabric strips (for both ends of the bath towel). Press with a hot iron.
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6
Slip one of the double-fold fabric strips 1/2 inch over the end of the bath towel. Straight stitch the fabric strip onto the towel. Make sure your stitching secures both sides of the double-fold fabric strip to the towel in one step. (if desired, use straight pins to pin before sewing.)
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7
Pin the top of lace strips to the bottom of the double-fold fabric strips already secured to the bath towels. Tuck in the ends to make a neat finish. Make sure the lace front is aligned with the right side of the towel. Straight stitch the lace to the double-fold fabric on both ends.
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Tips & Warnings
When considering this project as a gift, add a hand towel and wash cloth.
If children are participating in this project, only an adult should handle the sewing machine and iron.
