Embroidery Library - Machine Embroidery Designs Inspired Project Page

Let's talk towels! Everyone has them, they're great for decorating, they make fantastic gifts, and they're handy for clean-up! We've compiled a selection of towel tutorials that will help you learn how to stitch on various types of towel fabrics. Scroll down the page to view the tips and techniques to take your towel projects to the next level.

Tea Towels & Flour Sack Towels

Tea towels or flour sack towels are a staple that have graced kitchens around the world for centuries. Quite a bit lighter and thinner than terrycloth, they are perfect for using around the house -- drying dishes, adding a decorative accent or giving them as a gift at Christmas or as a housewarming present. Their lightweight cotton texture makes them perfect for adding a bit of quick-stitching embroidery. Not to mention, they wash up fabulously! When embroidering on tea or flour sack towels, choose light, open designs such as redwork or toile. These light designs won't stand in the way of drying dishes, and they're a good match for the weight of the towel.

For more tips and techniques on how to stitch on tea and flour sack towels, click here.

'Tis the Season Towel Cozies

Dress up your towels for Christmas or any holiday or season with these unique towel cozies. They are easy to stitch, totally interchangeable, and are perfect for gift giving. Embroider a coordinating border on the bottom of the towel to give this project some extra festive flair, and mix and match towels and fabrics for a Christmas creation unique as you. For instructions on how to create these exciting new towel cozies, click here.

To purchase the Sparkling Christmas Critter (Mylar) designs featured on these the 'Tis the Season Towel Cozies, click here.

Cozy Bath Coordinates

Stitch a set of coordinating towels that all your guests will love. This is a unique project that won't require you to fuss with hard-to-hoop towels. Stitch your favorite designs onto cotton fabric and then attach it to the towel -- it's a quick and easy way to get luxurious looking towels! They also make fabulous gifts for Christmas, weddings, and more.

For instructions on how to get started on this wonderful project, click here.

Embossed Towels

Impress holiday guests with embossed embroidered towels. Embossed embroidery adds a beautifully unique look to terrycloth towels and the designs come in a variety of different styles from alphabets, towel text, icons, and backdrops (which allow you to add stitch-filled designs on top -- click here for instructions.). Because terrycloth has a weak weave, it's important to hoop the towel with one layer of cutaway stabilizer to support the design. Also, be sure to use water-soluble topping so that the stitches don't get lost in the towel.

Embossed terrycloth towels make fabulous gifts at Christmastime. For written and video instructions on how to use embossed embroidery designs, click here.

Cook 'n' Clean Apron

Christmastime brings baking goodies and cooking up family recipes with loved ones. Create an apron that is fashionable and functional. This unique apron is perfect for keeping clothing clean, and you can use the detachable towel to wipe up spills or to keep hands clean when cooking or baking. Customize the apron by adding your favorite mouthwatering designs paired with tasty borders for a classy coordinated look. For a great gift, make a set of his and hers aprons for that hard-to-sew-for couple this Christmas.

For free project instructions on how to create this creative Cook 'n' Clean Apron, click here.

In-the-Hoop Towel Toppers

Sweeten up your kitchen with in-the-hoop towel toppers. These fun designs are a cinch to put together. A handy loop holds a towel in place so the embroidery can be proudly displayed hanging in your kitchen. Coordinate your towel topper by adding a matching border to the towel. For instructions on how to create an in-the-hoop towel topper, click here.

Towel topper designs also have a dual purpose! You can easily make a coordinating refrigerator magnet - simply leave off the top loop and the back elastic strap, add magnetic tape or hot glue button magnets to the back side of the embroidery, and you have yourself a refrigerator magnet! To see more about making refrigerator magnets, click here.

Topsy Towel

Transform an ordinary dishtowel into a handy hanging Topsy Towel! Perfect your placement and embroider a diamond shaped design in the corner of the towel, create a flap, pull the towel through, add a button and conveniently hang it on a stove or fridge door. This one-of-a-kind towel is perfect for decorating the kitchen at Christmastime or giving as a gift.

Click here for instructions on how to create this terrific towel project.

Handy-Loop Dish Towel

Doing the dishes has never been more fun than with the Handy-Loop Dish Towel. A stylish alternative to flour sack and tea towels, this handy-loop dish towel is made of cotton and is an attractive accent to your kitchen decor. Be sure to use a medium-weight cutaway stabilizer to provide proper support for the embroidery. If you're looking for a great Christmas gift, make a matching his and hers towel set or make a set of seven -- one for each day of the week!

For project instructions to help you get started, click here.

Susan's Dish Towel Pillow

If you're looking for a unique way to dress up a tea towel or flour sack towel, look no further than Susan's Dish Towel Pillow. Stitcher Susan used an ordinary flour sack towel and made it into a festive holiday decor pillow! It's a quick and clever project with no set measurements so it will stitch in a flash. Just be sure to use one layer of medium-weight cutaway stabilizer to support the embroidery designs!

For instructions on how to make Susan's fabulous Dish Towel Pillow, click here.

Terrycloth Towels

Terrycloth is one of the most popular types of fabrics for towels. They're incredibly soft, highly absorbent, are perfect for decorating, and can be purchased at just about any local retail or home goods store. Add a bit of embroidery and you can customize a set for any occasion or as a special monogrammed gift for a friend or loved one.

Many people like to use a tear-away stabilizer when embroidering on terrycloth because it can be easily removed from the back of the towel. However, because terrycloth has a weak structure, it's important to use one layer of cutaway stabilizer to support the stitches in the design. Cutaway stabilizer will also hold up nicely through regular washing and use.

For a full written and video tutorial about embroidering on towels, click here.

Finding Blanks

Now that you have lots of fabulous tips and project ideas to get you busy embroidering on towels, all you need is to find some blank towels to embroider on! We've created a special tutorial dedicated to finding blank items to use for your embroidery. Click here to find links to dozens of web sites and retail stores perfect for finding terrycloth towels, tea towels, flour sack towels, and lots of other items for all your embroidery projects. Happy Stitching!