Leigh's Fiber Journal: Hemming Dishtowels

I'm keeping my hat in the crafting ring by hemming the Summer & Winter dishtowels I wove in ....... 2007! I posted about them here, "Summer & Winter - 1st Dishtowels", and here "Summer & Winter - 2nd Dishtowels". They've been sitting in my trunk of handwovens all this time, just waiting for me to do something with them. Now that we're working on my kitchen remodel, I've discovered that they are a prefect match for my new kitchen colors!

New kitchen cabinet & handwoven dishtowels, yet to be hemmed

I wrote a post on this blog a long time ago, about machine hemming dishtowels (How Do You Hem Your Handwovens? along with a reader comment motivated follow-up, Hemming Handwoven Fabrics). These however, must be hand hemmed because my sewing machine has a broken bobbin case, and I haven't done any sewing lately to motivate me to replace it. Even so, I find handwork relaxing after a long day of gardening or working on the kitchen. :)

Hemming Dishtowels © 6 November 2011
by Leigh at Leigh's Fiber Journal

Labels: dishtowels, sewing

13 Comments:

Don't you just love it when things work out that way, colorwise?

By Michelle, At November 6, 2011 10:04 PM
Those are beautiful - can't wait to see the "whole picture"! T.

By Tina T-P, At November 6, 2011 10:11 PM
What a lovely combination!
See how your mind was busy planning this kitchen subconsciously.

By m, At November 7, 2011 10:48 AM
Beautiful dishtowels, lovely colours!

By Annie, At November 7, 2011 12:21 PM
Beautiful!!!! They match your kitchen perfectly.

By bspinner, At November 7, 2011 6:38 PM
I remember those. It just goes to show you that your new kitchen colors aren't new :)

By Sharon, At November 7, 2011 11:47 PM
Michelle, it was one of those providentially delightful surprises. :)

Tina, me too! It's a little scary because we're well in to it but I still haven't figured out all the details.

Mary, thanks! Amazing, isn't it?

Annie, thanks! I really do like the colors.

Barb, the best part is, I don't have to worry about weaving any new ones!

Sharon, must be a classic color combination. :) My classic combination at least!

By Leigh, At November 8, 2011 5:59 AM
Those greens are just perfect. I love the way your details are coming together, in their own time.

By DebbieB, At November 9, 2011 8:55 AM
Wow! I had no idea about weaving dish towels. Now, I'm thoroughly intrigued. Where can I learn about how to get started? You are a wellspring of good info, Leigh. I really enjoy your blogs! :)

By letthismindbeinyou, At November 9, 2011 11:08 AM
I'll have to admit that I like using handmade tea towels so much, that I don't really care if they match my kitchen or not. It's always nice to use a beauitfully made item, and if it has form as well as function, it's a bonus! Yours are very pretty.

By Nina, At November 12, 2011 10:39 AM
Debbie, thanks! It's true about details coming together in their own time. Quite a blessing, eh?

Kristi, I'd suggest starting with a rigid heddle loom. There's a great website, Rigid Heddle Weaving, and also a book, Hands on Rigid Heddle Weaving that would be helpful. If your loom is wide enough, you can certainly weave dishtowels!

Nina, my current dishtowels don't all match, I admit. A lot are old boughten ones, commercially produced. That's fixing to change however!

By Leigh, At November 15, 2011 8:11 AM
They needed time to mature so that they would be perfect for the new kitchen design. You just didn't know it back then.

By Benita, At November 16, 2011 2:55 PM
Benita, I love that! LOL Yes, they did need time to mature. Amazing how well these towels match my new kitchen. :)

By Leigh, At November 17, 2011 6:20 AM