Binding Tea Towels

17 comments
Friday I showed the linen/cotton blend fabric from Spoonflower. Saturday I had some time to bind the fabric and make the 2012 calendar tea towels.
LinkWorking with the linen cotton is nice because it has such a nice crisp body to work with. I cut some 2 1/2" strips for binding the edges out of fabric in my stash.
I bound the towels just like a quilt. Pressing the binding is the key to getting a nice, even look. I pressed the binding several times to get it to lay just right and then stitched in the ditch to catch the back edge.
It made a nice finish both on the top side of the towel and the back. If I made a little error, I just unpicked that part and restitched.
I love this simple blue, white and black towel. I used fabric from PKM's line to bind it.
I do like a gingham binding. This black and white complimented this modern/vintage design. There is so much color going on in this towel that I thought the black and white fit best.
They are all ready now to give as gifts. I have several more I need to do though. But for now I have 5 done.

Speaking of "done". I hate that "Done" Target commercial. I am never done with Christmas until 6:00 on Christmas eve. At least it seems that way.

-nanette
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17 comments

Mary said...

I found a few yards of waffle weave cotton at the thrift store for $2 a while back. I have been meaning to do your dishrag tutorial. I did a couple but the binding part is what puts me off. Sometimes I love sitting and hand binding but this time of year it just seems like there is too much else pressing on me.

Karen H said...

They turned out beautifully - I am envious of the recipients! :)

Unknown said...

These are just gorgeous. Thanks for showing your binding technique.
Teresa

Nedra said...

You always come up with such creative ideas for Christmas gifts. Love the calendars and thanks for the spoonflower lead.

em's scrapbag said...

These are lovely. The binding is such a nice touch.

AnnieO said...

Gorgeous! Love the gingham binding, so cheerful and fresh. I machine sew my bindings all the time. What great gifts these will make!

Cheryl said...

They are so wonderful Nanette!!! Very lucky people to be getting those!!!

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Nanette, you always come up with some of the best, most creative ideas. Love the calendar fabric and the gingham sets it off perfectly. Great gift idea!

Gayle said...

These are beautiful and your binding is so well done. I'm doing some Swedish Weaving on some towels and I'm wondering if binding would set them off. Thank you for sharing this idea. :-)

Bobbi said...

Based on your last tea towel post, I ended up buying the owl/kitchen fabric to make tea towels for my friends and family. Can't wait till it all gets here!

Browndirtcottage said...

Cutie patootie towels for sure!! The colors are so vibrant and show-ee!!

girlsmama said...

Those are darling! And the binding looks so precise. I haven't mastered the in the ditch and catch the binding technique yet. Are you pressing the binding before or after you attach it to the front? Thanks for your help!

Shari said...

The towels looks lovely and your binding is perfect - but I would hang mine on a wall - too pretty to use!

Thimbleanna said...

Gosh, now I'm going to have to pay more attention to the tv -- I tried youtube for the target commercial but can't find it.

Those tea towels are just adorable -- I love the binding you've chosen. You're brilliant Nanette!

Unknown said...

Ok, do you want my address? Seriously, I'm never going to look at towels like this again without thinking of you. Wonderful, and I recognize the fabrics you used, you clever person.

PatSloan said...

the BW is perfect! I am fascinated by the calendar towels on spoonflower.. really need to order one!

Alex Duenkel said...

Off to bind 14 of these... Yours are beautiful! And thank you for the measurements!