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!
just amazing..you are always smart with your creations :)
So cute and so creative!
Just too cute! Yes, it would make a great housewarming, or newlywed gift!!
Oh, wow, I love this! :) Too adorable. I really need some of that fabric!
Oh my that is just adorable. How cute are you!!
You are seriously AMAZING!!! I am in love with the little flower window treatment! I cannot believe you did this – on love, seriously!!!
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.
REALLY cute! So much detail – it would be hard to use it and not just look at it!
Looks so cute! I wish I had thought of something like this. You are so clever
I love them and they would make fabulous gifts. :)
Awee… that is sooo cute…! awe.. must have taken quiet time to make it… <3
Love, Love, Love it! May try to make a fabric post card like this. Got the perfect person to send it to.
That is too beautiful to use on dishes!
I love this project! It’s soo cute.
Oh Bev!!! This is so adorable! You are amazing! The details are to die for.
that fabric is darling, but i love what you did with it even more!
that is ADORABLE! the little flowers in the window are the perfect detail! What a beautiful dishtowel…too pretty to use in my house! haha
Leave it to you to take something darling and make it absolutely fabulous!! Bev, You’ve done it again!
xoxo,
Amy
Beverly, this is SO adorable! how fun!!
I like! Very clever.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!! You are one amazingly talented lady!
A-dor-a-ble! The dish towel is just plain amazing! I think I may need to buy me some of that window fabric!
Oh Bev , this is just too cute for words and you’re so genius with these dishtowel ideas!
Holy smokes, Bev! It’s adorable!! Love it!
That’s adorable!! I’d be afraid to use it and ruin it!
Oh my gosh, this towel is so cute. Wouldn’t that make a cute window covering as well. You are just so creative.
Bev, this dishtowel is as charming as it gets! :) I LOVE it!
This is seriously so darling I can’t stand it. You are so talented. I love it. ♥
Holy cow! SOOOO cute!
That is so cute I just can’t stand it. Love the fabric and the dishtowel is perfect!
this is so cute, i love “house” stuff. you’re genius amazes me, seriously.
Love it! And so very creative. :)
Definitely, make the matching apron. That would be sooooo cute!
so that is where all the cute material goes….oh well great ideas u have…i got to quit makin tutus and make some of these..thanks patty
Wow….look at You!! This is so cute I have to Comment! It is a wonderful idea and thank you for sharing!
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.
THE cutest dishtowel I’ve ever seen!!!
This is soooo cute! What a great way to use scraps too.
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!
ummm i am OBSESSED with this! you are so creative!
These are darling. I need a set for my kitchen.
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!
SOOO Cute, Bev! Of course, everything you do is! :) I would love for you to link up to me new Summer Lovin’ Saturday Party at http://www.homemakerinheels.com/2011/05/brand-new-summer-lovin-saturday-soiree.html
Have a great weekend! :)
Crysta
Homemaker in Heels
Fantastic dishtowel!! love your very detailed tutorial too! great job!
Amy
http://www.sistersofthewildwest.blogspot.com
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
I love, love, LOVE your window dishtowel! Wow, so pretty!
This is SO so darling!! Love all the details you added to your windows <3
Great job! That is so fun!
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!
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!
SO adorable! I absolutely love it. Thanks so much for sharing!
NOW isn’T this JUST THE SWEETEST DISH towel ever? I TOTALLY adore it! SO DARN CUTE. thanks for linking. winks-jen
You are a magician!! |*bling*|
What a great vision you had for that fabric. I love it!!
I would love it if you would link this up to my Marvelous Mess party….each week I pick one project to feature on my sidebar!! Here is the link: http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com/2011/05/marvelous-mess-13-and-features.html
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!!!
i just skipped around your blog and i see you know what i mean about anthro!!!!! great stuff! donna
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)
This is adorable times 10! Awesome! Too cute to use :)
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
this is seriously A.DOR.ABLE!!! I’m in love!
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!
I always suspected that you had a magic wand, Bev! Everything you touch is magical!
Jenn
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
Love this towel! I featured this on my Inspiration Friday post…
http://www.laniejandco.com/2011/06/inspiration-friday-6311.html
I love your windows… and the variety that you have added to them. Very inspirational.
Awesome! Can’t wait for your next windows project ! Love your little wands.
The window towels would make adorable window curtains and spruce up my kitchen. Thanks for the great idea.
So cutie cute cute!!!!
This is so cute! I adore Heidi Grace’s line…I find myself standing in front of it every single time I go to JoAnns.