I’m excited because it’s time for the monthly share from our Country French design group…and I have a fun idea that has been cooking in my brain for a while…tea towels made from a pillowcase! I love French ticking and I love generous ruffles so I had planned to create a tea towel combining them both when it hit me…I am describing the pillowcases from my toile guest bedroom!
See them…peeking out from the black toile pillows? Well…I had come across an extra pair of them while thrifting and had snatched them up for just in case I ever needed them. And now…I have a way to use them! And…even better…they are the perfect size!
Here’s what you will need:- One standard size pillowcase, preferably made of cotton for better absorbency
- Scraps of dropcloth cut into squares
- Print-outs of the images below on iron-on transfer paper (I use Avery brand transfer paper for light images.)
- Cut the pillowcase along the seams and the long side to create two pieces. Just cut to separate the front from the back and you will have two pieces approximately 20" x 30" depending on your pillowcase. So...each pillow case makes two tea towels.
- Trim any portion of the seam that remains.
- Fold in 1/2 inch and press the two sides and the top of the fabric then fold and press again to create a finished edge.
- Stitch the pressed edges.
- Print the images below on transfer paper and apply them to the dropcloth squares following the directions on the package. I find that I generally need to add a little more time and press very hard.
- Stitch the dropcloth squares to the tea towels.
I love images from Karen at The Graphics Fairy since they really lend themselves to my vintage-look frenchy projects. I usually add a little something in French ‘cause the French teacher in me never dies! lol I especially like this one…a vintage cloche…since this is the way the French actually use a cloche…in the garden to protect tender plants.
I also love this one from The Graphics Fairy…a vintage watering can…since I have a thing about anything that is galvanized. The images have already been reversed for you so that they can be ironed on.
I like to leave the edge unfinished to add more of a rustic feel. It will not ravel far since the edges of the square are stitched about 1/2 inch in.
And here they are! Can you believe how easy that was? No gathering and stitching plus adding trim since it was already there! And…wouldn’t this be a great way to create pretty little hand towels? Just cut up (gulp..if you dare!) a vintage pillow case with lace trim and…voilà! 
I’ve added them to my latest centerpiece for a little frenchy, vintage-y touch. I love the way the ticking looks with sunflowers…two of my favorites together!
Baby Kitty says he doesn’t understand the need for towels when his tongue works so well and is always handy! But just in case, he offers a few more ideas…
…such as my VINTAGE FRENCH TEA TOWELS …some of my favorites! 
And for a really generous ruffle, how about these WISTERIA INSPIRED LINEN HAND TOWELS. They make very pretty napkins, too! 
And be sure to check out what my fellow francophiles are sharing…always some beautiful ideas with a Country French touch!
Thanks for stopping by! Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants.
Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party , Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday , Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday , The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday , Coastal Charm for the Show and Share Party , A Stroll thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday , My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Inspire Me Monday, Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays , Common Ground for Share Your Style on Thursdays , French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday , The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday , Craftberry Bush for the Inspiration Gallery on Friday, Tatertots & Jello for the Link Party Palooza on Fridays
See you next time! À la prochaine!
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Super cute towels, Debbie. Enjoy this cool down we are having!
ReplyDeleteSo cute Debbie! Always such creativity over here- and I always love seeing your sweet Baby Kitty too!
ReplyDeleteI love your towels! I keep thinking I am going to try this.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Deb, you are one clever lady!! Love the look of these for your Country French styled home.
ReplyDeleteIs the long fold just the length of the pillow cut in half? Are the pillows 2 layers, couldn't tell by the pictures. OR Are they only one layer? That would be 4 tea towels per pillowcase. I do want to try this.
ReplyDeleteJust cut to separate the front from the back and you will have two pieces approximately 20" x 30" depending on your pillowcase. So...each pillow case makes two tea towels. I hope that helps! So glad that you like them!
DeleteWhat a fabulous idea, Debbie! I'm going to make these and use them in my downstairs power room. So cute and just so easy!!!! Pinning and featuring your adorable project on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteI love your idea Debbie! They came out beautiful! Baby Kitty is very sweet!
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