Dishtowels Come Out Of The Kitchen
Dishtowels and linen dishtowel fabric, sold by the yard are ideal for a variety of decorating treatments.
Napkins
Dishtowels make the best, inexpensive cloth napkins and they're practical as well. I'm always on the look out for linen dishtowels that are on sale. When cut in half you have two napkins for a fraction of what you'd pay for cloth napkins. Turn the raw edge under and stitch for a quick and easy project.
Terry cloth, dishtowel napkins are perfect for backyard barbecues when you want something stronger than paper. After dinner simply toss them in the washing machine. No ironing necessary.
Patchwork Tablecloth
Did you know that you can buy dish toweling by the yard in red, green, or blue and white plaid? Sold in most fabric shops, it is l8 inches wide and wonderful for making an easy patchwork tablecloth. Simply cut two different colors into 9 inch squares (you'll get 8 squares per yard), arrange them in a patchwork pattern, by alternating the colored squares, and stitch together. It makes a pretty and practical country cover.
Cafe Curtains
Combine linen dishtowel to make cafe curtains with a valance.
Pillows
Country throw pillows are easy to make. Stitch 2 blue and white plaid dishtowels together, leaving a small opening on one side. Turn right side out, stuff with Poly-Fil and stitch closed. Make smaller pillows by cutting squares to the desired size from a large dishtowel and combine them with the larger pillows on a bed or sofa. You'll have an instant country look.
Chair Seats
Use dishtowels to cover foam rubber seat cushions and add matching chair back cushions with ribbon ties. And here's another idea: Cut barnyard shapes from the dishtowels so that each kitchen chair back is a different animal shape. To do this, cut the front and back pieces, shaped like a pig, for example. Cut a piece of thin quilt batting slightly smaller for the padding and stitch together as you would for a pillow. Add a button eye if desired.
Copyright Leslie Linsley, author
Reprinted with permission, HouseNet, Inc.