Sew Custom Tea Towels from One Yard of Artist-Designed Fabric
Published by NannetteD on 8th Dec 2025
Tea towels are hands-down one of the most essential and versatile items in our kitchen. They are also one of the quickest and easiest sewing projects you can make for yourself, and are the perfect gift for friends, family, hostess gifts, and more!
TEA TOWELS or CLOTH NAPKIN SET
Skill Level: Easy
Approximate Finished Size: 17" x 26.5"
This project uses simple double-fold hems—no pattern required—and is a great way to create decorative towels for everyday kitchen use, but polished enough to double as dinner napkins or bread-basket liners.
The instructions below show you how to cut four panels from a single yard and finish them with neat, durable hems. Sew by machine for a fast finish, or hand-stitch if you enjoy slow sewing.
Materials Needed:
- 1 yard (36" x 55" wide) custom-printed fabric from The Textile District – yields four towels or napkins
- Sewing machine (or hand sewing needle)
- Coordinating thread
- Iron and ironing board or pressing mat
- Straight pins or fabric clips
- Fabric scissors or rotary cutter and cutting mat
- Clear acrylic ruler or quilting ruler for squaring corners
- Optional: twill tape or a narrow strip of fabric for hanging loops
Best Fabrics for Kitchen Towels & Napkins:
Choose natural-fiber bases for absorbent, hard-working towels and napkins. Cotton and linen blends printed with our fiber-reactive dyes offer vibrant color, a soft hand, and excellent wash and use durability.
Ideal options include:
- Cotton Duck (7 oz.)
- Cotton Twill (8 oz.)
- Cotton Linen Blends (7.37 oz or 7.7 oz.)
- 100% Linen - 7 oz.
How to Sew Four Kitchen Towels or Cloth Napkins from One Yard:
Prepare Your Fabric:
If you’re working with The Textile District’s natural-fiber fabrics, they are already steamed, washed, and dried as part of the finishing process, so you can begin cutting right away if you prefer.
(If you’re using fabrics from other sources, go ahead and wash and dry them the way you plan to launder your finished towels, then press to remove wrinkles and straighten the grain).
Cut the Fabric Panels:
- Spread your 36" x 55" yard of fabric on a flat surface with the selvages running along the long edges.
- Square up one short end so you have a clean, straight cutting line.
- Cut the yard in half across the width to create two strips measuring 18" x 55".
- Subcut each strip into two rectangles measuring 18" x 27.5".
You’ll have four identical panels. After hemming, each towel/napkin will finish at approximately 17" x 26.5"—a generous size for either kitchen towels or table use.
Press the Hems:
Work with one panel at a time, wrong side facing up.
- On one long edge, press the raw edge toward the wrong side by about 1/4". Press again by another 1/4" to form a tidy double-fold hem that encloses the raw edge.
- Pin or clip the hem in place.
- Repeat on the opposite long edge.
- Press one short edge up by 1/4", then again by 1/4" for a double-fold hem. Pin or clip.
- Repeat on the remaining short edge, tucking any loose threads into the folds so the corners look clean.
Stitch Around the Edges:
- Set your machine to a straight stitch with a slightly longer length (around 3.0 mm) for a smooth, professional-looking edge.
- Starting midway along one side, stitch close to the inner fold (about 1/8" from the edge), pivoting at each corner and continuing around all four sides.
- Overlap the first few stitches at the end and backstitch to secure the seam.
Repeat for the remaining three panels.
Add a Hanging Loop (Optional):
If you’d like a way to hang your towel from a hook, add a small loop to one short edge.
- Cut a 4"–5" strip of twill tape or a narrow strip of fabric.
- If using fabric, fold the long raw edges to the center, press, then fold in half lengthwise and topstitch to create a sturdy tab.
- Form the strip into a loop and tuck the raw ends under the hem at one corner on the wrong side of the towel.
- Stitch over the hem seam several times to secure the loop firmly.
Press and Finish:
Give each towel a final press, smoothing the hems and sharpening the corners. In just one yard of fabric, you now have a coordinated set of four towels or cloth napkins ready for daily use, holiday baking, or gifting.
Project Ideas & Gift Uses:
- Pair a set of towels with a favorite cookbook or baking mix for an easy hostess gift.
- Sew coordinating sets in different prints for everyday use and special occasions.
- Use seasonal designs (like plaids or holiday florals) to refresh your kitchen décor.
- Mix and match four coordinating prints from a designer collection for a curated look.
Ready to Sew Your Own?
Every design in The Textile District’s catalog is printed to order by the yard using fiber-reactive dyes for rich color and long-lasting wash performance. One yard is all it takes to create four custom towels or napkins in your favorite print.
How to Order Custom Printed Fabrics from The Textile District:
Each fabric image in our catalog represents approximately 27" of printed fabric so you can see the scale and repeat at a glance. Ordering is simple:
- Choose your base fabric from our selection of cottons, linens, and specialty substrates.
- Select the colorway you’d like to print.
- Enter the number of yards you need (minimum order is 1 yard).
- Add to cart and check out—we’ll print your fabric to order and ship it from our studio in the USA.
If you’re not sure which fabric is the best match for your project, we’re happy to help. Send us a note or give us a call for personalized recommendations.
Not Sure Which Base Fabric to Choose?
- View Our Fabrics – Custom Printing Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Order a Ground Fabric Swatch Kit to see and feel our base fabrics in person.
How To Order Custom Printed Fabrics
Each image represents 27" of printed fabric and clicks through to the product page for easy ordering.
- Select the base fabric most suitable for your project at hand.
- Choose a color way (click the icon)
- Enter the quantity you need
- Add to cart to order
As always, if you have a question or need help choosing which base fabric option is best for your project at hand, we are here to help. Please send us a note or give us a call. We'd love to hear from you!