I love, love, love towels! Some people love shoes. Some people love purses. But, I love towels. I am that type of person that hates to throw away a towel unless it’s absolutely necessary. Just because a towel gets old or worn does not mean that it has to be thrown away. Normally, I cut them up and use them as cleaning rags, especially if the edges start to ravel. However, today, I decided to use a different technique…….re-purposing the worn-tattered bath towels into smaller hand towels. The towel in the above pic is from a set that I received as a wedding gift 18 years ago. Check out the simple steps below…
These are some of the large bath towels that have started to ravel on the edges or starting to get holes.
Using a hand towel as a guide, pin to bath towel.
Cut.
This is some type of trimming material that you will use on the sides. On the bottom of the towel, I will not add this trimming material because it’s still finished and not raveling. I’m not exactly sure of the name of the finishing product, but you can find it in the trimming and lace aisle in JoAnne’s Fabric Store. I’m sure that you can use some other type of material to finish the sides to keep it from raveling.
Pin trimming to sides.
Sew down close to the trimming edge.
Make sure to finish the trimming ends by folding down and sewing. Use a zigzag stitch to secure ends. Then, cut extra trimming away from towel.
Now, look at my towel. So, neat! Re-purposing to save money and towels…..
Close-up shot.
Now, I’m off to re-purpose this bath towel into smaller washcloths.
Just looking for tips and came across your really easy guide
. I have cut up a huge bath sheet ready to make into hand towels , so thank you so much for your I had forgotten to use Bias binding so you reminded me.
Jean
You’re welcome!
This is such a great idea. Another reason why I need to learn how to sew.
Thanks Sonya! Sewing is a must for me. You should definitely picked that up….
Sharon I love the way you think. I cut up old towels too. I hate to waste and will try to repurpose where I can. I’ve never fancied up my cut towels with binding before and I may have to give that a try. Thanks for sharing your tip on Merry Monday.
You’re welcome Erlene! It’s always nice when you can save towels and money….
I LOVE this idea and am ashamed that I haven’t thought of it! Pinning and then going to take stock of the towels. Stopping by from Merry Monday’s
Thanks Shirley! I love this, too. It really helps on saving towels and money….
Whoa! Never even thought to repurpose an old towel into another smaller towel!! Love this idea and will have to do. Plus, it’s so simple! 🙂
Swinging by from the Creative Style linkup!
It is definitely a simple task to perform. I wish I had thought to do this earlier because there were a couple of towels that I would have liked to keep….
I came over from Friendship Friday. I love this idea. i bought one of those hand towel rings for my sink. You can only use those very small towels. I won’t buy any. Rather, I will follow your example and make small towels from larger one. Clever!
Hi Elena! Thanks for stopping by. You should definitely make a small towel and save the money….
Great idea! You make it look so easy….I’m going to try this with the wedding gift towels that I can’t bear to part with, but are fraying on the edges.
Pinning it!
Lisa M
Thanks Lisa! My towel was a wedding gift also. It looks even better as a smaller towel….
Following from Friendship Friday at Create With Joy. Wonderful idea! Goodness knows I have a linen closet jammed with towels that could use a similar treatment!
Thanks LuAnn! I definitely have lots of worn towels and I can see a lot of re-purposed washcloths in the near future….
love this idea have worn towels and can play with this idea thanks for sharing at friendship friday have a great weekend.
Thanks Lorraine!