Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects (29 page)

b.
Then, add 1″ to this measurement for seam allowances. This will be the length measurement for the band to be cut.

c.
Simply measure and mark the dimensions below directly onto the
Wrong
side of the fabric, using a yardstick and a chalk pencil. Then, using your scissors, cut out each panel following the marked lines.

FROM THE FABRIC FOR THE BATH TOWEL BANDS

• Cut 2 bands: 15
¹
/
₂
″ wide × the length measurement from step 1b

FROM THE FABRIC FOR THE HAND TOWEL BANDS

• Cut 2 bands: 8″ wide × the length measurement from step 1b

d.
Set the bands aside.

Step 2. Cut the fabric for the loop.

Measure and mark the dimensions below directly onto the
Wrong
side of the fabric, using a yardstick and a chalk pencil. Then, using your scissors, cut out each panel following the marked lines.

FROM THE FABRIC FOR THE BATH TOWEL

• Cut 1 panel: 3
¹
/
₂
″ wide × 6″ long

FROM THE FABRIC FOR THE HAND TOWEL

• Cut 1 panel: 3″ wide × 4″ long

Step 3. Make the loop for the towel.
*

*
See page 170
for an explanation of how to make a drawstring (you’ll use the same process to make your loop).

a.
First, fold the loop panel in half lengthwise, with the
Wrong
sides together, matching the long raw edges.

b.
Now, press a crease at the center fold.

c.
Unfold the fabric, fold each long edge in toward the center crease, and press.

d.
Then, fold the fabric piece in half again, enclosing the long raw edges, and press well. Pin the folded edges together.

e.
Stitch along each long edge of the loop, stitching as close to the edge as possible and backstitching at each end.

Step 4. Make the fabric towel bands and attach the loop.

a.
First, press one long raw edge of a towel band under
¹
/
₂
″ toward the
Wrong
side. Then, unfold the edge, leaving the pressed crease.

b.
Now, fold the towel band in half, matching the short raw ends, and gently press a center crease.

c.
Using a yardstick and a chalk pencil, measure over 1
¹
/
₂
″ on each side of the center crease and mark.

d.
Place the loop and the marked towel band with the
Right
sides together, lining up the raw ends of the loop with the raw edges of the towel band, placing the ends of the loop as follows:

For the bath towel, place the loop ends just outside the marks on either side of the center crease and pin them in place.
(
FIGURE 4D-01
)

For the hand towel, place the loop ends just inside the marks on either side of the center crease and pin them in place.
(
FIGURE 4D-02
)

e.
Stitch the loop in place with a
¹
/
₂
″ seam, backstitching at each end. The edges of the loop will be turned under at the
¹
/
₂
″ pressed crease of the long edge in step 6.

Step 5. Attach the towel bands to the end of the towel.

a.
First, fold the end of the towel in half lengthwise and make a small mark or place a straight pin to mark the center of each end of the towel.

b.
Then, place the uncreased long raw edge of the towel band along one short end of the towel, with the
Right
side of the towel band facing the back side of the towel. Match up the center crease on the towel band with the marked center of the towel and the raw edge of the towel band to the end of the towel. The towel band will extend
¹
/
₂
″ past each side of the towel. Pin the towel band in place.

NOTE:
Not all towels have a Front and Back side. If your towel does not have these, you may attach the towel band to either side of the towel.

c.
Using a yardstick and a chalk pencil, make the following measurements:

For the bath towel, measure in from the end of the towel 5″ at each side edge and make a mark. Draw a line between the 2 marks on the towel band, creating a stitching line.

For the hand towel, measure in from the end of the towel 2
¹
/
₂
″ at each side edge and make a mark. Draw a line between the 2 marks on the towel band, creating a stitching line.

d.
Then, stitch across the line you have drawn, backstitching at each end, to attach the towel band to the towel.
(
FIGURE 5D
)

e.
Fold the towel band at the stitching line back over itself, toward the end of the towel, with the
Wrong
sides facing each other, and press across the folded edge.

f.
Now, press under the
¹
/
₂
″ again at the long edge of the towel band toward the
Wrong
side, pressing under the ends of the loop.
(
FIGURE 5F
)

g.
Then, fold the towel band back, with
Right
sides together, matching the long folded edge to the seam you stitched in step 5d.

Step 6. Sew the ends of the towel band and finish the Decorative Hanging Towel.

a.
First, pin the towel band together at the short ends, matching the raw edges, making sure that the
¹
/
₂
″ pressed edge you made in step 5f remains folded to the
Wrong
side.

b.
Stitch a
¹
/
₂
″ seam across both short ends, backstitching at each end.
(
FIGURE 6B
)

c.
Now, turn the towel band
Right
side out, so that the end of the towel is tucked inside the towel band. Use a turning tool
*
to push out the corners, and press.

*
See page 172
for an explanation of a turning tool.

d.
Match the long folded edge of the towel band to the stitching line on the front of the towel and pin in place.

e.
Then, topstitch
*
close to the folded edge, stitching through all the layers of the towel band and the towel, and backstitching at each end.
(
FIGURE 6E
)

*
See page 172
for an explanation of topstitching.

Step 7. Attach the second towel band to the other end of the towel.

a.
Press
¹
/
₂
″ under toward the
Wrong
side on one long edge of the second towel band.

b.
Then, follow the instructions in steps 5 and 6 to attach the second towel band to the other end of the towel, omitting the loop.

FIGURE 4D-01

FIGURE 4D-02

FIGURE 5D

FIGURE 5F

FIGURE 6B

FIGURE 6E

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