How To Make Custom Embroidered Towels
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Sheri Ann Richerson from ExperimentalHomesteader.com shows you step-by-step how to make DIY Decor Items that are perfect for Valentine's Day or for giving as a gift anytime of the year.
These are custom embroidered towels - some on flour sack towels, some on a towel that I wove by hand on my Union 36 Floor Loom.
No problem!
You can embroidery by hand a design that is less elaborate or buy an embroidered patch and sew, glue or iron it on.
In This Article
Custom Embroidered Towels Are A Great Way To Decorate
These towels are a great way to decorate your kitchen for Valentine's Day or any day of the year!
Please leave questions and comments below!
A No-Machine Option: Decorate a Towel with an Embroidered Patch
The videos below show my original machine-embroidery process. If you don't have an embroidery machine, you can still personalize a towel by attaching a finished embroidered patch. The printable card provides instructions for that simpler alternative.
How to Personalize a Flour Sack Towel with an Embroidered Patch
A beginner-friendly alternative for decorating towels without an embroidery machine, inspired by the original personalized-towel project.
Materials
- Flour sack towel
- Ready-made embroidered patch
- Needle, thread and scissors
- Pins or fabric clips
- Optional patch-compatible fabric adhesive or iron
Instructions
- Wash and dry the towel according to its care instructions, and press it flat if needed.
- Choose a finished embroidered patch suitable for the towel's fabric and intended use.
- Lay the towel flat and position the patch where it will be visible when the towel is hung or folded.
- Secure the patch temporarily with pins or clips. Check that the design is straight and that the patch does not sit in an awkward fold.
- Attach the patch by sewing around its edge with secure stitches. If you choose fabric adhesive or an iron-on patch instead, follow that product's instructions and verify it is suitable for laundered towels.
- Remove pins or clips and inspect the attachment for loose edges or threads.
- Care for the completed towel according to the patch, thread and fabric instructions. Avoid using decorative towels on hot cookware unless all components are designed for that use.
Notes
The printable card complements the original article. For the orchid, use only food-safe gum paste, tools, and edible decorative dusts. For embroidered towels, the patch method is an optional machine-free alternative; original machine embroidery videos remain in the article.
Watch this video to learn How I Stabilize Towels For Machine Embroidery (5 minutes 38 seconds):
Watch this video to learn how I made these Valentine's Day Towels which are perfect DIY Decor Items (14 minutes 2 seconds):
Behind The Scenes
I had always wanted to learn to embroidery using a machine, but embroidery machines are not cheap.
Not to mention, even though it looks really simple in the video, there is a learning curve I had no idea about until I finally acquired an embroidery machine of my own.
Here is my story.
Janome Memory Craft 8000 Embroidery Machine
My first embroidery machine that I picked up at an estate sale was a Janome Memory Craft 8000.
I had no idea it was over 25 years old when I bought it, but it worked great.
The issue was there was no way for me to download patterns off the internet.
It took these little cards that were very difficult to find and expensive to buy when I did find them.
The embroidery designs were also quite small compared to what modern machines can make, however it was a way to start learning about machine embroidery.
Husqvarna Viking H Class 500E Embroidery Machine
About a year later, I found a Husqvarna Viking H Class 500E at a pawn shop.
I bought it and was suddenly able to create lots of cute DIY decor items for my home in larger sizes than what the Janome Memory Craft 8000 was capable of.
However, this machine was not able to take a hoop larger than a 5 inch x 7 inch and sometimes it did not sew the design quite right.
I did not give up though and kept trying to learn how to work with this embroidery machine.
This is just one of the many items I have made.
Easy Projects For Beginner Machine Embroidery
For those just starting out learning how to machine embroidery, I suggest starting with towels - or t-shirts - as they are a lot easier to work with than larger items like blankets.
Also, do not feel you need to go out and buy a lot of new embroidery patterns to get started learning how to use your machine.
A quick online search for "free machine embroidery patterns" brings up many places.
Even online shops who sell patterns often offer free sample patterns - which are full size patterns - when you sign up for their newsletter.
One of my favorite online shops is Sue Box Creations.
I also really like Urban Threads and they do have some great sales!
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I highly recommend the following articles:
- Halloween Embroidery Ideas For Towels
- Create Memorable Moments This Valentine's Day!
- Holistic Valentine's Day Ideas
- Valentine Crafts: Cute DIY Tabletop Photo Holder
- How To Make French Valentine Personalized Pillows
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