Flamingo Toes

Pretty Windows Dishtowel

68 Comments

So I was in Joann’s last week, minding my own business.
Well, not really. When I’m in Joann’s I tend to mind THEIR business.
After managing a fabric store for several years, I tend to be a compulsive straightener while I’m shopping.

I’m the fairy godmother of my Joann’s.
“How did the fabric in this aisle get so tidy??”
*| Bling |*. (those are my magic wands)

So while minding MY business, I stumbled (literally) across the most adorable bolt of fabric.
It’s from Heidi Grace’s line –  called House Windows.

And somehow magically the whole bolt came home with me.
*| Bling |*

So in the first of what will apparently be many “Windows” projects . . .
Here’s my new dishtowel!

I love to take the designs from fabrics and bring them up for the appliques in the dishtowel!
And even if you can’t find the windows fabric, I think the windows appliques would be so cute with a pretty print fabric border too!

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own dishtowel.

• White fabric, or purchased dishtowel
• Fabric for bottom border – 1/2 yard
• Fabric scraps for windows, curtains, shutters, etc.
• Trim scraps  – rick rack, tiny pompoms, etc.
• Embroidery floss for window boxes

Alot of this is whim – see what looks good to you and follow designs you like in the fabric.
Here are my steps just to give you an idea . . .

Cut out your fabric pieces. You’ll need a large rectangle for the dishtowel (30″ x 21″), pieces of the window fabric for the bands at the bottom (2 of 30″ x 7″), and small pieces for the windows, curtains, etc.
I didn’t use patterns for these, just cut out squares and rectangles from the white and added print fabrics for decoration similar to the Heidi Grace fabric.

Remove all the top pieces from the windows and set them aside in the same layout so you won’t forget where they go.
Pin on the bottom pieces and begin sewing them on with a contrasting thread. I used a dark gray.

If you do the round window, add the rick rack under it as you sew.
Don’t worry too much if your lines aren’t perfect. Part of the cuteness of this is the “hand-drawn” look to the windows.

Start adding in the fabrics over the windows. Add in lines, swirls, or trim as you want for decoration.

Once your windows are sewn on, add on your bottom panels. Sew the panels to each short side of the fabric, right sides together.
Make sure the windows will be facing the right direction.

Fold the printed panel in half, right sides together, so that the ends match up.
Sew along both short sides, until you reach the top seam. Use a 1″ seam allowance.

Trim off the seam allowance but don’t trim throught the seam that attaches the panel to the dishtowel.

Turn the folded panel right side out. Now the front will be sewn and the back will be open.

Tuck the seam allowance down and press under the top edge of the back of the panel, so the fold is just above the seam.
Turn under your dishtowel sides twice to form a hem and sew.

Sew along the top front of your panel. This will sew closed the opening in the back.

Add in any final embroidery details to your windows.
I put some french knot flowers in a couple –

A little birdie in the round window and bows for tiebacks.
I tied these bows but then added a drop of unique stitch to each to help hold them on.
I also fray-checked all the windows. I like them frayed but not out of control. ;)

That’s it!!!
*| Bling |*
A Pretty Windows Dishtowel!

What do you think?
Wouldn’t this be a fun housewarming gift?

Watch for more windows fabric projects – I think I might need an apron to match this. ;)

I’m linking to Sunday Scoop, Today’s Creative Blog, Met Monday, Skip to my Lou, Tutorials & Tips Tuesday,
Quilt Story, and the other fabulous parties on the sidebar – make sure you check them out!

Flamingo Toes Stitch and Share Club

Join my Facebook Group! We share projects, encourage each other, have giveaways, and have lots of fun!

Comments

  6. [email protected] says

    So cute – I love the applique, for a minute I thought you bought a large print version and a small print version and just cut out the large windows and appliqued them on – but you made them! love it.

    Reply

  11. Jerri Wood says

    Love, Love, Love it! May try to make a fabric post card like this. Got the perfect person to send it to.

    Reply

  17. Amy says

    Leave it to you to take something darling and make it absolutely fabulous!! Bev, You’ve done it again!
    xoxo,
    Amy

    Reply

  34. Sue says

    Wow….look at You!! This is so cute I have to Comment! It is a wonderful idea and thank you for sharing!

    Reply

  35. VickiT says

    Oh my gosh! That is just ADORABLE Bev!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s times like this that I am really glad you don’t live near me since you bought all this fabric at your store. HA

    I just love this. Such a fantastic idea. I don’t know how you do it.

    Reply

  38. tai says

    I am so tweeting this! My word it is so cute it makes me ALMOST want to do dishes. Really huge compliment. I dont think there is anything that could make me ACTUALLY want to do dishes!

    Reply

  41. Sue says

    Oh my gosh, this is THE cutest dishtowel EVER! Maybe I would frame it, or hang it from my window, but NEVER would I wipe my chocolate smudged hands on it, that’s for sure! :) You are so talented!

    Reply

  44. Teddie Seeley says

    Very clever. If I got a set of these, I would have to add curtains to my kitchen window to match. Really like your little embellishments, such as the flowers and birds.
    Newbie here.
    Teddie
    Portland, OR

    Reply

  48. Christy says

    simply adorable! you know…my joannes could use you. why is it always such a mess?! i love this project…so clever and useful. this would make a great bathroom “display” handtowel too. I think i would be heartbroken if this got ruined in the kitchen…as my towels tend to!

    Reply

  49. Leslie says

    This is just too cute! It is ready for a Spring spruce up in the kitchen. I am going to have to get brave and try appliques. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  53. donna ellis says

    i also used to work in a fabric store and love to straighten the joann fabrics i frequent here in towson, md!! i thought i was a lone, strange, ocd fabric nut!!! i am so happy to hear you are like that too!!! i feel validated!!! the towel you made is gorgeous and would cost a ton in antropologie!! i have seen others of that type there. it is really just great!!!

    Reply

  55. Becky says

    You are off the hook amazing. I would spend a lot of money to buy that at Kohl’s! I’m super impressed! (and here from Rook No 17)

    Reply

  57. madame samm says

    Hello…I don’t even know how I found you…but I am sew glad I did…what would you think of doing this as a tut..* it’s already done ….yes …I noted that….lol.. but to show this on http://stashmanicure.blogspot.com we are always looking for neat projects to share…and my dear..this one up my alley for window dressing…

    Lovely it is…simply, cute, and worth noting to many….they will adore you and embrace you as much as I will …

    JUST say YES….toodles madame samm

    Reply

  59. ashlee says

    Bev you’ve done it again! I would feature you every week, but I have to TRY not to. I just save it for your best stuff (which is still like once a month!) love it! I’m totally featuring you tonight again! This is simply amazing, all the DETAILS are just lovely!

    Reply

  61. Stephanie Lynn says

    Beverly – how cute! The window appliques are simply adorable – looks like you are having way too much fun =) Thanks so much for linking to The Sunday Showcase Party – I greatly appreciate it. I have featured this Sunday. Have a wonderful week.
    ~ Stephanie Lynn

    Reply

  65. Stephany says

    The window towels would make adorable window curtains and spruce up my kitchen. Thanks for the great idea.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Email Newsletter

The latest posts - emailed right to you!