Waffle Dish Cloths - tutorial

51 comments
A while ago I bought some white waffle cloth. When I made dish towels last year I thought it would be good to make some dish cloths too, but I ran out of time. I finally took an evening a couple weeks ago to make these dish cloths and it was really easy and fun. I've since found out that (of course) I'm not the first to make these waffle dish cloths. Lynn (thanks Lynn) let me know that Amanda Jean had written about this on her blog too. But I thought I would post about mine anyway. What the heck.

You can buy waffle cloth from many sources. Hancock carries it and Moda makes some waffle coth too. You can also get it here, here and here among many sources. It comes in several colors and textures/patterns. Lynn and the Amanda Jean post let me know that it is best to wash the waffle cotton BEFORE sewing into dish cloths. Unfortunately I didn't think of that before hand and haven't washed mine yet but I'll certainly prewash before making my next batch of dish cloths. I used my 9 1/2" template to cut the waffle cloth into squares.I'm always looking for ways to use "left overs". I used extra Jelly Roll strips from from the Moda Sweet line. Don't we all have extra Jelly Roll strips hanging around? Yes. The 2 1/2" strips worked out just great. There was enough length to join the ends of the binding with a bit to spare.I just sewed the strip on the waffle cloth like regular quilt binding.Then I pressed the binding flat and then pressed it folded over to the back of the cloth.I top stitched some of the binding, stitching on the front so that it caught the binding on the back of the dish cloth. And some of the dish cloths I stitched in the ditch, catching the stitching on the back of the binding. I think either one worked well and it would be a personal preference which method to use. This is a view from the back where you can see the stitching is close to the edge and does tack the binding in place.Here is another view from the back. It was an easy project and it makes a very simple and inexpensive gift. I used them last weekend to give to my sisters and friends along with some great smelling countertop spray I bought on sale here. And no, I didn't pay the price they have listed.

-nanette

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51 comments

Anonymous said...

Well those are just down-right darling! I immediately went to the sites you listed and guess what? They are ALL sold out of white waffle cloth! So I'll keep looking because these would be the perfect VT-ing gifts! Thanks for the great idea! xo, Nan

jen duncan said...

They're very cute Nanette. Of course!
I've spent the last three Tuesdays learning how to longarm quilt and using quilt tops destined for the charity closet at the guild as my guinea pigs. I think this post just gave me the 'permission' to machine sew all these bindings I have building up in the hand sew pile. Done is better than perfect, right?

Sherri said...

I love my dishcloth...and the countertop cleaner is the most wonderful product...I have black granite countertops...and it makes them shine!!!

Nedra said...

I love my dishcloth! Thank you again for the lovely gift along with the countertop cleaner. I used it this morning and my kitchen smells wonderful.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Well after reading nan's post I guess I will wait a while to get the waffle cloth. I saw what a wonderful day you had on Sat. with you now "real" blogging friends. I am so happy for all of you, what fun. I also need to get the cleaner you suggested, what scent do you get?

Unknown said...

I love your tutorials!!!!

I love you even more!

I am going to search high and low for waffle cloth this coming weekend.

Di~ said...

Nice tutorial Nanette. I used the waffle fabric for dish towels a couple of years ago. I raw edged appliqued cute pink flowers on. I DID NOT prewash the waffle fab. and was very disappointed, plus it isn't very soft for drying hands. I was so surprised at 'how much' it shrank. I think it would definately be better for dish CLOTHS, not towels. Thanks.

MichelleB said...

Great idea, thanks!

Mary Grace McNamara said...

Those cloths are so cute, and quick too! Much quicker than the crocheted dish/wash cloths I've been making lately! I love the fabric trim on them.

MGM

rachel griffith said...

SO very cute!!!
thanks far sharing these.
i SO wanna make some!!!
and the sweet line is perfect!!!

Darlene said...

Cute, cute and cute!!! I love those - will have to look for the waffle cloth.

pratima said...

These are gorgeous! They would definitely make lovely gifts :)

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Nanette, thank you for sharing, really like this idea and such a great gift.
Keep Stitchen'
Bonnie

Dawn said...

Nanette, I love my dishcloth and cleaner!! It makes my countertops shine (just like you said it would) and my kitchen smells wonderful!! Thanks too for the tutorial on making the dishcloths!! I had a wonderful visit!

Lynn said...

Thanks Nanette! I love making these - great to sew the binding while watching tv. Something small I can accomplish in a short time. Sadly though I only watch one show so I don't get many done. Maybe I should start watching more TV!

Susan said...

Hi Nanette. I use the Caldrea stainless steel cleaner and love it. The Green Tea smells heavenly. I sort of knew what waffle cloth was but just read about it in Kitchen Linens Book. It also informed me about huck. I guess I am not to old to learn about textiles; I sure do love to use them. I am going to try this out instead of buying my kitchen towels at Kohl's. I saw what a wonderful time you had with the blogging peeps:-)

Des said...

I'm really tired of my crocheted dishcloths. These look awesome. They are absorbant??

Browndirtcottage said...

Way cute and very easy looking!!

Kaaren said...

Thanks Nanette. Wouldn't they make great hostess gifts and stocking stuffers? There's something about white waffle cloth that looks so clean and refreshing. Gotta get me some.

Sounds like y'all had a super time at your girl-y get together. Aren't they the best?

Thimbleanna said...

I LOVE these Nanette -- they're SO cute! I do have to answer "no" to your jelly roll question though -- can you believe I've never purchased one? I guess we're slower to join the party back here!

Lurline said...

Welcome back, Nanette - see my acknowledgement to uou on my pinwheel tutorial! Thanks for the advice to pre-wash the waffle cloth - the dishcloths are too nice to use!
Hugs - Lurline♥

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic idea! Great gift idea...waffle dish cloth, yummy smelling kitchen cleaner.....maybe even coordinate in an apron. Thanks!

dotti white said...

Nanette....I love the dish cloths. You have wonderful ideas that inspire me! Keep up the great work!

Trisha said...

So very cute!

Unknown said...

Nanette, What a fantastic tutorial! I love these and saw them showing up around blogland as little gifties. You are so sweet and talented.

life in red shoes said...

sew cute, thanks!

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

Oh these are fantastic! Thanks so much, I'll be linking.

Red Geranium Cottage said...

Love it!! So happy.

Micki said...

I loved the tutorial and the dishcloths are wonderful!
Micki

jlk said...

I am going to have to make some of these!

Busy Little Quilter said...

These are cute! Thanks for the tutorial. I'm glad you had a great time getting away. We all need that every once in a while.

Anina said...

So lovely! They would make wonderful gifts.

Gigi's Thimble said...

Nanette,

Those are great towels. What a good idea to put those beautiful edges on them! I love that "Sweet" line!

I have tried to go to the site to look at the Friendship Block and the Pineapple Applique Block from the March guild meeting, but nothing shows up when I get there! What am I doing wrong? I missed the meeting, so I would love to see the blocks.

Thanks, Amber Johnson

Simone de Klerk said...

This looks very pretty! Thank you for sharing this with us (O:

Momoo said...

Thanks for the great idea. I really don't care for the dish towels I buy so I'll have to try these.
Years ago I bought yards and yards of the toweling they use to used in the cloth towel machines in restrooms. I like to make dish drying towels out of it. Now I can make matching dish cloths.

mo said...

They look great. I sewed some fabric onto some flour sack towels at Christmas and the flour sack towels were just a little wonky so they didn't end up half as nice as yours. I will do them your way next time- thanks for sharing! (again!).

Anonymous said...

These are wonderful! I definately want to make some. Thank you so much! x

Geek+Nerd said...

These are beautiful - thank you for the tutorial!

Amanda Jean said...

i just started using my dishcloths that i made last september. i love them. :) i never in my life thought that i would be using moda fabric to wash my dishes, LOL.

Nan said...

Once again, Nanette, you have come up with a lovely gift idea that is easy to make and oh so useful - thank you for sharing it with us! I have never heard of Caldrea, and am looking forward to trying their products.

One Happy Tree said...

Hi there! I love this idea. My brother and his fiance just purchased their first home. When I saw your post I thought this would be a great house warming gift.

I am having trouble with the binding though. Did you use a walking foot?

If you are able to respond please do at onehappytree@gmail.com

Thanks!
Thanita

Amy {The Idea Room} said...

These are so adorable. I am putting this on my growing project list.

Christy said...

I just wanted to say thank you for the great idea of using banana clips to hold the binding down,never thought of that and I hate pinning.

CRAFTS FROM THE HEART said...

how cute, I must make some of these.
Adding to my evergrowing list!

Crystelle said...

This is such a good idea. I really go through the dishcloths and it would be really nice to have some cute ones....
The banana clips are a great idea!
Thank you!

Ginger said...

Thanks for the idea! I made some up for Christmas gifts and I love them so much, I am going to make myself some after the Holidays! Thanks! ♥

Thriftyideastoday said...

Love these!

Deb Henderson said...

Love these! Can't help but think how easy it would be to turn them into cute baby blankets with just a few changes!

Vicki said...

Fabric.com has plenty of waffle cloth in many colors.

amanda joseph said...

nice post
saloon towel

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