Scrappy Tea Towels

May 20, 2022 Crafts & Projects

Featuring: Blank Quilting Corp. Mariposa Dance by Suzan Lind

Sewn by: Shankari Paradee, Sewl Sister

This is a very simple beginner project that gives you the opportunity to try out new fabrics, use up scraps, and create a useable art piece in your home. Tea Towels are a versatile part of the kitchen and your beautiful work will be displayed for everyone to admire. I created this project to use the Blank Quilting Corp. Mariposa Dance by Suzan Lind, and I love how the fabric colors all complement each other.

Technique: Rotary cutting, Piecing, Straight stich, Top stitch

Skill Level: Beginner

Finished Size: approximately 28”x 28” (71.12cm x 71.12cm), depending on the size of your tea towels

Fabric Requirements:

Mariposa Dance Collection by Suzan Lind
(2) Tea Towels approximately 28”x28” (71.12cm x 71.12cm)

Equipment needed:
Rotary cutter and mat
Ruler
Marking chalk or pen
Pins
Iron
Sewing machine/thread

Cutting:

Cut (1) to (2) 2½” x *WOF strips from each fabric

Sub-cut (30) 2½” squares of fabric, picking 2-3 squares from each fabric in the collection, depending on what suits your style and color preference.

*WOF: Width of Fabric

Instructions:

Sew the squares together in any random order using a ¼” seam. You will need (1) strip of (15) 2 ½” squares per towel (this may need to be adjusted depending on the size of your towel).

Open your rows up and press the seams in one direction.

Use a ruler and chalk to mark 2 ½” from the bottom edge of your tea towel.

Place one of your fabric strips, centered over the towel along the marked line, right sides together. Pin.

Sew the strip, right sides together, to the towel, using ¼” seam.

Flip the strip over, press. Then press ¼” of the remaining unfinished long edge under so that the folded edge is even with the edge of the towel.

Press and pin.

Top stitch at 1/8” along top edge of the fabric strip. Then top stitch the bottom edge.

After positioning your strip centered over the towel and sewing the top and bottom edges, trim each side to extend 1/4” to 1/2”. Tuck that end under the fabric strip, on top of the towel, so that the strip is even with the towel. Press. Top stitch the sides 1/8” from edge.