Today’s project is specifically designed for those who have embroidery machines, but it can also be done with fussy cuts and fall fabrics. Who could use a new pretty kitchen towel? Just about everyone, I think. So, even if you do not have an embroidery machine, read on anyway for a great giveaway today and some ideas on how to make a fall inspired towel with fabric.
For the towel, you can start with a towel blank, or make your own from toweling fabric. Mine is 18×24 inches. If you are making your own, cut your fabric to size then turn the edges under 1/4-inch. Turn the edges a second time to enclose the raw edges and topstitch all the way around. Iron a lightweight fusible tear-away stabilizer to the back side centered at the bottom. I use two layers.
Then, set up your machine to stitch the design of your choice. I like to organize my threads in egg cartons in the order that they will be used. It helps me to keep track of where I am, and it keeps the threads from rolling away. I use primarily Sulky Rayon threads and stabilizers.
For my design, I wanted to combine two embroidery designs. My machine cannot do this on its screen, so I have to stitch them separately. I begin with the one lower (or closer to the bottom) on the towel first.
When it was fully stitched, I loaded the next design and did several trials to see where the upper design would stitch out. I adjusted the placement to tuck it in close to the bottom design.
Finished and trimmed, it looks like the two designs are one. I loved the bottom one, as you mostly see it associated with Christmas, but this one was perfectly designed for fall.
Press the project, and remove excess stabilizer from the back.
Display in your kitchen, or wherever you like.
If you do not have an embroidery machine, sew strips of fall inspired fabrics to the bottom quarter of your towel, leaving a couple of inches free at the very bottom. Use a sew and flip method so all the raw edges are enclosed. You can fussy cut a motif, frame it with fabric, and extend that to the sides. If you use this method, save your edge finishing to last.
Get 20% off the Basic of the Month French General by Moda Fabrics, 30% Off the Notions of the Month from Taylor Seville, 30% off Patterns of the Month from Zen Chic, and see the Books of the Month, Spelling Bee by Lori Holt. Check out Today’s Flash Sale and see the Precuts of the Week, too!
Fat Quarter Shop has lovely toweling to make your own kitchen towels. Click on Fat Quarter Shop Toweling. They also have great patterns and kits for hand embroidery or cross stitch if you like doing that kind of embroidery. Today’s post giveaway is sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop of a $50 Gift Certificate!! To enter, just leave a comment on this post and tell us which non-fabric item (book, notion, pattern) would you like to have? You’ll have a week to visit and comment.
From My Carolina Home 
Thanks so much for the towel idea. I was just gifted an embroidery machine and I am excited to try it out making some towels. Thank you also for the link to the toweling on Fat Quartet shop. I had no idea they carried these!
I checked out the notions page and found 2 star quilt hinged boxes that I will be adding to my Christmas list. Their cute design and wood siding caught my eye and will be perfect in my craft room.
I perused the New Items and found these beauties: Set of Three Old World Yuletide Tea Towels Moda #FS-1046. Not expected to ship until January, but look like they might be worth the wait.
You always do a good job with your embroidery projects. I don’t have an embroidery machine but do some hand embroidery on occasion. I think I would pick the Lori Holt book and some fabric. Have a great day.
Towel idea and directions are perfect for me to start on my embroidery machine. I “shopped” in the notions section at The Fat Quarter shop and found these: Taylor Seville 97 Count Fine Flat Head Alphabet Numbers & Arrows Magic Pins. Who knew such things existed??? I’m always writing numbers on small strips of paper and pinning them to my strips, pieces, etc. I signed up to be notified when they are back in stock!
Kitchen towels are the perfect place to practice embroidery & use up quilting scraps. Before I had an embroidery machine, I decorated towels with seasonally themed patchwork, usually a checkerboard set in across the towel. I only have a 4″ hoop, but find that sufficient to add a little flair. With toweling fabric or blanks on hand, you can always craft a nice hostess gift. Who doesn’t love having a fresh kitchen towel?
Carole, thanks for the chance to win a gift certificate! I’m thinking about choosing some paper piecing notions from Fat qtr Shop. I love all the ideas you share.
I love brightening up my kitchen with themed towels. I have been sewing a lot of knit tops and need to get some ball point pins. Sometimes a pin works much better than clips. Fat Quarter shop even has them too.
You made such a nice towel. I inherited an embroidery machine that I
suspect needs servicing because I cannot get the tension right. I did
buy some 60 wt prewound bobbins for it but have not had time to try it
since. Now I am inspired to try again while I save up for servicing on
the machine.
I think the Lori Holt books at Fat Quarter Shop are really cute.
I really like how you personalized it for autumn. I love having seasonal towels in my kitchen.
HOW Fun!! I love embroidering on towels. A word of caution if you have never done this before – WASH & DRY in HOT water/HOT dryer TWICE and iron with starch/steam before stitching. The flat cotton toweling SHRINKS like the devil and you want that out of the way BEFORE you stitch. You don’t want your beautiful stitching to get all “shrunken”. I use FLORIANI wash away stabilizer on my towels, and I like to color match my bobbins, so the design “looks good” on the back. Cut away stabilizer works well and will eventually soften after several washes. I’ve done about 30 towels in the last month and had some shrinkage “after the 2nd wash” that left me disappointed with the results. I saved the project with a steam iron and pressing cloth. Bought more towels and washed them twice, and there was no additional shrinkage. If using a wash away stabilizer, remove as MUCH as possible before washing in your washing machine. You don’t want to block your drain. You can use a spray bottle filled with hot water to “melt” the stabilizer, and blot with a dry paper towel.
I love all things notions, and the Taylor Seville Extra-Long Fine Flat Head Patchwork Magic Pins appeal to me. I like flat head pins when cutting out a pattern and using my ruler/rotary cutter on long straight stretches (aprons/pajamas etc).
I would love to have a Creative Grids 6.5″ x 12.5″ Quilting Ruler because I am in bad need of a new ruler that size.
You are really making me want to pull out my embroidery machine. I’ve only used it a few times so need to get going & practice on it. A towel would be a perfect practice piece.
I’m always looking for marking tools and would like to try out the Yellow Magic Chalk Liner with Brush Eraser
Taylor Seville I saw on the Fat Quarter Shop’s notions page.
so many to choose from! I’m drawn to the striped toweling in particular, though. Just something so homey about it!
Fun idea to add a little autumn flair to your kitchen! I’m a pattern junkie, so would go for cross stitch patterns – anything by Stitching with the Housewives. Love following Kimberly’s quarterly stitch updates on the blog. Thanks for the chance! basaran (dot) family (at) rogers (dot) com
That’s so cute! Your embroidery machine makes lovely designs. I would to order the Creative Grids 60 degree diamond ruler, if I had the opportunity!
Your towel is pretty. I would like to have a wool pressing mat.
I love your towel !
I do not have an embroidery machine but I do embroidery by hand ! These make great Xmas gifts …
My favorite new thing would be new patterns …new ideas 🤣
love the embroidery on the towels. Towels are such fun to make for gifts . Quick and they look awesome. Thanks for the ideas and tips. I am always on the lookout for good flathead pins for both sewing and embroidery. Thanks!!
I would like to have Lori Holt’s Spelling Bee Book.
Christmas Jolly Bar Book 1
Your towel turned out great! I love theyHand Hooked Sewing Machine Pillow from FQS! How cute would that look in my sewing room!!
I like the Scrappiness is Happiness Quilt Book.
I would like to get a rotating cutting mat. That would sure make a world of difference when cutting blocks. Of course, having spare rotary cutters are also helpful since I can never find where I laid the one I just had. LOL
Absolutely lovely! And love how you “do”tame” the thread! Love Autumm, even thouhg we had a tiny rain (first time in 17 days!)
Thanks!
I really want the Taylor Seville alphabet and number pins. Love the way you combined the two designs!
I used to make decorated towels years ago and it would be a fun project to revisit. Not having an embroidery machine (yet) mine would have to be appliqued pumpkins and or leaves. I think I would love to get the Spelling Bee book by Lori Holt as there would be so many fun things you could do with the letters.
I would love to win the Scrappiness is Happiness Quilt Book by Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet Co. I look forward to Autumn Jubilee every year. Varied projects, helpful ideas, and a recipe to try are all appreciated. Thank you for your generosity to share.
Some time ago you shared some 3D objects that your husband created to complement your sewing hobby. I recall a thread holder, in particular. I think revisiting his creations (and perhaps adding a tab on the sidebar) might be useful to your readers. I believe he was interested in making more and selling them if anyone was interested. I would be interested in seeing what he is creating again… and new items he may have dreamed up as well.
Thank you for your kind words. My husband made a thread holder for me, but he isn’t interested in making more for sale. He is busy with his own hobbies, and retired from working. But do check out the thread holders at Fat Quarter Shop!
Love your idea of making a holiday towel. I have made several in the past, but it’s not something I think about when trying to come up with a new seasonal project.
I already have two stash and store organizers but I need at least two more. And now they have so many different colors to choose from.
That is a lovely design for a kitchen towel.
The Autumn colours are always so rich.
I can see that you are enjoying your embroidery machine! Thank you for sharing all the fall items. Isn’t fall just a great time for changing the decorations at home or is it simply that I prefer the fall colors? Kelly Young has a book, Stash Statement, available. I saw blog posts when it was newly published that caught my attention.
Enjoy your crafting time,Connie W.
Beautiful design for a towel! I really love holiday towels!!
I do love the FQS and so very nice of them to sponsor! I really need rotary cutter blades – I like the Olfa brand! I think they have a pinking blade too which that would be fun to use for projects!! Happy Friday!
One of my favorite gifts to make is embroidering on towels or adding an applique. They can fit into each holiday or be made to match kitchen colors…always fun!
Fat Quarter Shop has sooo many wonderful products! I’ve always loved patterns by Carried Away Quilting and her Buffalo Check Table Topper is one I’d like to have.
I just bought some towels…maybe I will actually get to this project! I love the Kaffe Fasset ribbons, and think that would be my choice in the new notions section.