Hi everyone, Angela here. Start by cutting out and joining the pattern pieces for the
top tie and the optional solid band for the bottom. This is the pattern piece for the
bottom band. If you want to join different fabrics together. Trace this out of template
plastic if you want to fussy cut your fabric. For this project I'm using 100% quilting cotton. Fold
your fabric preferably along the lengthwise grain and place the pattern along the fold.
Make sure not to use any of the selvedge edges and cut out.
If it isn't already, fold the fabric with right sides together and then mark out the opening on
the center of the edges. If you need to, pin or clip all around. To cut smaller fabric pieces, I like
to use my 28 mm rotary blade. Cut out the pieces for the bottom band and arrange them in the
order that you want. And then if you need to, pin or clip the seams with right sides together.
I'm using a Brother NV50S sewing machine. The link for this and the tools I use are in the description
below. Make sure to use coupon code Notches NV50S for the special offer.
Stitch the seams using ¼" or 6mm seam allowance.
No need to back tack. Just continue stitching about 1" of thread between each seam .
Once done, trim your threads leaving about ½" at each end.
For the top tie, start your stitching from the fold. Using a ¼" seam allowance again.
Begin by back tacking and stitch until you"re 1/4" or 6mm from the edge.
With the needle down, lift the presser foot and pivot. Continue stitching until you get to the first mark
of the opening and back tack. Raise the needle and foot, skip over to the other mark, back tack ,
continue stitching pivoting at the corner and then back tacking again. When you get to the other fold,
trim your threads and then trim all the corners on an
angle making sure not to cut any of the stitching .
Turn it right side out and then use a knitting needle or Point Turner to poke out all the corners.
Neatly adjust the opening. Centre all the seams and then press all around.
Starting at this opening, edgestitch all around back tacking at the start and finish.
Give it another quick press. Fold it in half with the points lined up and then
press in a centre crease. Next press open all the seams on the bottom band.
I'm adding this ric rac to the top and bottom edges. It measures ⅝ "or 16mm wide
but you can use 1/2" or narrower.
Place the ric rac on top of the fabric with a little bit extra at the end and line up the edges on the side. We need to stitch right down the
centre of the ric rac which can be a little bit tricky so just take your time. I'll use the side
of the foot as a guide and position the needle in the centre. On this machine it's #4.
Stitch right down the middle. When you get to the other end, cut the rick rac a little bit longer
than the fabric and then repeat on the other side. Lift up the ric rac and fold the seam
to the back then press the fabric edges flat on both sides. If you're finding this video helpful ,
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Use any size tea towel. This one is 20" or 50 cm wide. On the
right side of the towel, use a vanishing ink pen or some chalk and mark a line 2½" or 6½ cm up from the bottom edge.
Turn the towel over and fold in half lengthwise. With the wrong sides together, make a crease
in the centre. Open it up again to the wrong side and then mark a line along that crease.
On the front of the towel, find the centre of that bottom line by folding the towel in half and
mark it. Next, centre the bottom band onto that line and pin in place. Put your pins in vertically along
both edges in the centre of each piece. Fold in the end of the band so it's even with the side
of the towel and pin it in place. You may need to trim some off the end of your band if your
towel is narrower. On the back, fold the end of the ric rac on a 45 degree angle and
clip in place. This way the raw edges will be sewn into the seam. Repeat on all the corners.
Starting at the bottom corner of the
band, edgestitch all around backtacking at the start and finish.
The ends of your ric rac are caught inside the seam .
Next, set to the longest stitch length and your top thread tension to 0.
Then pull out your top and bobbin thread so you have about 4 "or 5".
On the wrong side of the towel we'll be stitching to the left and also to the right
of the center line and we'll just use the side of the presser foot as a guide. There's no need
to backtack and I'm just using a contrast thread so you can see what I'm doing. Just stitch beside
the line and when you get to the other end, pivot around and stitch down the other side.
At the end of the stitch line, leave a long tail before trimming your thread.
Open up the top band and then place the right side of the towel on top. Match the centre line
of the towel without the loose threads with the centre crease on the top band and pin it in place.
On the other side you can see that the stitches of the top thread are nice and loose because we had
the tension on 0. Separate the two top threads from the bobbin threads and then pull on the two
bobbin threads together to gather up the fabric . This should be pretty easy with the loose stitches .
Gather up until it's about the same width as the band and then pin those edges in place .
Keep the hems on either side flat but gather up some more and adjust all the gathered fabric
until everything looks nice and even. Then place a couple more pins through that centre line.
Sewing 2 stitch lines for gathering gives you a lot more control of the fabric.
If you like the look of this towel you may want to have a look at my
tutorial for a matching Patchwork Bowl Cozy. Re-adjust your tension and the stitch length .
Stitch right down that centre line backtacking well at the start and finish. Making sure that
you're catching the edges of both the towel . and the top band. To give this towel a bit more
strength, pivot around and stitch right on top of the previous stitch line and back tack to finish.
Carefully cut a gathering stitch on either side of the centre stitch line and then on the
other side cut the bobbin thread on either side. Now gently pull out all those threads.
If you have any light marks from the gathering, just give it a little bit of steam to remove them.
To hang this towel, loop the band from the back over your handle, cross with the front of
the band and tie a half knot. Pretty up the ends and it really does stay in place. to remove just
pull on the center . Thanks again for watching make sure to check out my new video up next.