Learn how to sew tea towels that are super versatile and a kitchen essential with this easy sewing tutorial and free pattern!

Tea towels are one of my favorite items in my kitchen because not only are they functional, especially when it comes to covering rising dough, but they’re also beautiful! In fact, I love to have a few hanging on the wall in my kitchen to add an extra touch to my decor. I’ve fallen in love with the Hearth & Hand flour sack towels at Target and always add a few to my collection every season.

BUT, making your own tea towels is surprisingly easy! It’s the perfect beginner sewing project and a great way to create your own custom tea towel for yourself or for others! I love that you can use a variety of different fabrics and make any size you wish. You can also add a crocheted border, embroidery or even further personalize them with an iron on decal using your Cricut machine! Let’s dive into this super easy tea towel tutorial!

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FAQs

What are tea towels?

Tea towels are large kitchen towels that are made of natural fibers like linen or cotton that are meant for versatility in the kitchen. They can be used to wipe your hands while cooking, dry dishes and so much more.

What do you use tea towels for?

While tea towels aren’t as absorbent as regular dish towels, they are great for a number of other uses in the kitchen. I love to use them to cover a bowl of rising dough or lay them out on the table to let clean fruit dry. They’re great for lining a bowl full of freshly baked bread or for covering a mixing bowl to avoid splatters. Tea towels also make great gifts and extra decor for your kitchen.

What materials do you use to make DIY tea towels?

I found a nice and basic toweling muslin fabric at Hobby Lobby that I used for this project, but you’ll want to use something that is made of cotton or natural fibers like linen. You may however find linen fabric to be too stiff, so a linen blend or something like unbleached muslin may work better. Search your local craft store to find the best fabric that works for you.

How many yards of fabric do I need to make a tea towel?

You’ll need 1 yard of fabric to make 1 tea towel. I prefer to buy 2 yards at a time to make more.

How do you gift a tea towel?

As I mentioned, tea towels make a lovely gift. A great way to create a gift utilizing a tea towel is to pair it with some mixing bowls, a mixing spoon and maybe a cookie cutter or two.

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How to Sew Tea Towels

Tools You May Need:

Materials Needed:

Directions

Wash, dry and iron the fabric, then cut the fabric to 21.5″ wide by 32″ long using a cutting mat and rotary cutter or sharp scissors.

With the wrong side facing up (if your fabric has a wrong side), choose a raw edge, then fold the fabric up 1/2″ and press with a hot iron.

Fold the fabric over again 1/2″, press with the iron, then pin. Repeat this step for all four sides of the piece of fabric.

If you want to add a hanging loop for hanging the tea towel, cut a strip of the extra fabric 2″ x 5″.

Take the first long side and fold to the middle point and press, then do the same for the other side.

Fold the strip in half again, press, then pin.

Line the open edge of the strip up with the edge of the presser foot and sew down the entire length of the strip.

Fold the tea towel in half over the long edge, place the end of the loop under the hem of the towel on one side of the fold and pin, then repeat on the other side of the fold.

Line the edge of the presser foot up with the edge of the tea towel and begin sewing, starting with a forward and backward stitch, all the way down the side, then cut the thread.

Repeat for the entire perimeter of the tea towel.

Notes

If you find the corners are a bit too bulky, check out this tutorial to learn how to get the perfect corners.
If needed, add a dab of fabric glue in the corners to keep them intact while you sew.
Standard size tea towels are 28″ x 28″, but the fabric I used was only 21.5″ wide. If you want a more traditional size, find a fabric that will accommodate that size.
To make flour sack towels cut fabric to roughly 36″ by 36″.
Use your finished tea towels to cover bowls of rising dough, as decorations or for great handmade gifts!

How to Sew Tea Towels

Yield: 1 tea towel

Prep Time: 1 hour

Active Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Learn how to sew tea towels that are super versatile and a kitchen essential with this easy sewing tutorial and free pattern!

Materials

1 yard of toweling muslin fabric
Coordinating thread
Fabric glue (optional)

Tools

Sewing machine
Cutting mat
Straight edge ruler
Rotary cutter and/or scissors
Iron and ironing board
Pins

Instructions

Wash, dry and iron the fabric.
Cut the fabric to 21.5" wide by 32" long using a cutting mat and rotary cutter or sharp scissors.
With the wrong side facing up (if your fabric has a wrong side), choose a raw edge, then fold the fabric up 1/2" and press with a hot iron.
Fold the fabric over again 1/2", press with the iron, then pin. Repeat this step for all four sides of the piece of fabric.
If needed, add a dab of fabric glue in the corners to keep them intact while you sew.
If you want to add a hanging loop for hanging the tea towel, cut a strip of the extra fabric 2" x 5".
Take the first long side and fold to the middle point and press, then do the same for the other side.
Fold the strip in half again, press, then pin.
Line the open edge of the strip up with the edge of the presser foot and sew down the entire length of the strip.
Fold the tea towel in half over the long edge, place the end of the loop under the hem of the towel on one side of the fold and pin, then repeat on the other side of the fold.
Line the edge of the presser foot up with the edge of the tea towel and begin sewing, starting with a forward and backward stitch, all the way down the side, then cut the thread.
Repeat for the entire perimeter of the tea towel.

Notes

If you find the corners are a bit too bulky, check out this tutorial to learn how to get the perfect corners.

Standard size tea towels are 28" x 28", but the fabric I used was only 21.5" wide. If you want a more traditional size, find a fabric that will accommodate that size.

To make flour sack towels cut fabric to roughly 36" by 36".

Use your finished tea towels to cover bowls of rising dough, as decorations or for great handmade gifts!

Looking for more easy sewing projects?

Looking for more easy sewing projects like these handmade tea towels? Check these out:

Did you make a tea towel using this tutorial? If you did, I’d really love to see it. Tag me on Instagram (@thesimplehomeplace) to show me your own creations!

How to Sew Tea Towels – Quick & Easy Sewing Tutorial

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