How to Sew a Border on a Towel

Towels with tassels or other decorations may still need borders.

Towels of different sizes are necessities for most bathrooms and kitchens, but decorative towels add flare and personal style to otherwise bland living spaces. However, decorative towels can be relatively expensive when store-bought. A less expensive option is to make them at home. Homemade decorative towels can be customized to match the color scheme of any room.

Things You'll Need

• Towel
• Two ribbons
• Pins
• Sewing machine

Instructions

1. Select a towel of any color. Either hand towels or larger bath towels will work for the project. Select two ribbons in colors or designs that complement the towel. The ribbons should be long enough to run the width of the towel twice. They can be any width.

2. Spread the towel on a flat surface. Cut the first ribbon in half and position it across the width of the towel close to the edge. Place the other half of the ribbon on the opposite end of the towel so that the ribbons mirror each other. Pin the ribbons to the towel on both ends.

3. Stitch the ribbons to the towel, removing pins as you sew. Then, lay the towel on a flat surface once again.

4. Cut the second ribbon in half and position it along the first ribbon that is already stitched onto the towel. Move the second ribbon so that it slightly overlaps the first. Pin it in place. Position the other half of the second ribbon on the other end of the towel and pin.

5. Stitch the second ribbons into place on both ends, removing pins as you sew.

References

• Not 2 Crafty; Decorative Bathroom Towels with Ribbon Border; Elaine Kazinec; September 2009