Ragged edges to towels are annoying and unsightly, especially when the towels have plenty of life left in them otherwise. None of these towels was wearing thin at the middle, so I could not bring myself to throw them out. The answer was to bind them.
The white towels, which ceased being truly white long ago, belonged to my husband's parents. They are just the right size to wrap around my head after a hair wash. The tiny brown check makes a pleasing contrast, and gives the illusion that the towels were bought as a matching pair.
The greenish turquoise towel is one of two given to us as a wedding present, so it will be thirty years old this year. I can't believe it has lasted so well. It has ended up with ducklings all round the edge.
This project felt like something straight out of one of my old sewing books, with the emphasis on thrift. For added authenticity, here is a tiny patch I had to sew where a serious tear was threatening to take hold. An oddment of 1 inch bias binding was all that was needed to make the patch.
The material I used for the binding all came out of the stash left by my sister in law's mother. Both the brown check and the ducklings are synthetics, which I thought would be better than cotton, which might have a tendency to retain the damp.
Three done so far, and I am eyeing up at least another two for the same treatment. It would have been quicker and easier to go out and buy new towels, but binding the old ones has been so much more satisfying.
Linking up with Sarah's blog Confessions of a Fabric Addict for Whoop Whoop Friday
and Amanda Jean's blog Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It Up Friday.
Linking up with Sarah's blog Confessions of a Fabric Addict for Whoop Whoop Friday
and Amanda Jean's blog Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It Up Friday.
Good for you.
ReplyDeleteOur 'wedding' towels (also almost 30 years old) could use this. We started using them, years ago, when they started to fray around the edges, for dog towels (no wet dogs in my house). Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteSomehow the old towels seem to last longer than the new ones. Better quality, perhaps?
DeleteThis is myfavorite kind of project. I like them more with the narrow bindings and the tiny patch!
ReplyDeleteThe old saying, "Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do, or Do
ReplyDeleteWithout," holds so true for those of us who can repair rather than replace. The binding edge makes your towels look so different. Great idea! I will have to check my towels now. Oh, here's an idea to freshen towels if they need, Wash towels in hot water with 1 cup vinegar and then wash a second time in hot water with 1/2 cup baking soda.
Dry.
This gets rid of that old funky smell that sends a lot of towels to the trash or the garage rag pile.
Yes the towels certainly look different. My daughter came home from university and thought they were new. She really likes them.
DeleteGood work! Which of your machines managed to handle the thick towelling so well?
ReplyDeleteIt was the 1916 99K. Old towels aren't really that thick, but I can't imagine that new towelling would have been a problem..
DeleteI've repaired towels with a bit of stitching before, but never thought to bind them. Yours look quite fine! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Muv, that's a great idea. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great recycle/reuse project. I have a few that could use a similar "perk up"! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteIt is a good idea to do this, too many people are quick to throw things out. Good job. I also make them into cloths when they have seen better days.
ReplyDelete