I had this idea to show you a DIY tutorial demonstrating how to turn tea towels into cafe curtains but it looks like Selvedge magazine has an even better one and beat me to it — transforming tea towels into curtain panels. Love this. You’ll have to pick up a copy of their current issue (#29) to obtain the how-to details or subscribe to their digital issues (via exact editions), but it’s pretty self explanatory really — you just take your favorite tea towels, stitch them together either by hand or using a machine, and then use clip hooks along the top and place it on a rod. Easy!
Looking at this I imagine you could even make a tea towel shower curtain, or even something using pillowcases. My tea towel idea is simply to take a few tea towels and use them as cafe curtains — I’ve done this in the past in kitchens when I was single living on a very fixed budget unable to afford anything fancy and loved them. My mother showed me how to use a grommet maker and once I learned how to do that I was punching holes in everything. Clip hooks work just as well, or you can sew in a rod pocket fairly easily, too.
Thanks Selvedge for the constant stream of inspiration!
(image: selvedge magazine, issue #29)
Tags: window
July 7th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Yea! I did this with some cute Anthropologie towels! Okay, not exactly, I just attached the clip hooks straight to the towel, and am hoping to add some ruffly ribbon trim along the side :D But yeah, tea towels have the cutest prints + are so hardy!
cara´s last blog ..BIA: Keep guessing
July 7th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Love it. So different and unique. And do-able. I have about 500 tea towels waiting to be used!
CherryTreeLane´s last blog ..being the conversationalist
July 7th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
My towels are ugly! :( I’m totally jealous of CherryTreeLane’s 500 tea towels. Maybe it’s time to splurge on some nice tea towels. :)
Tricia McKellar´s last blog ..Wanderlust, 8×10 Fine Art Photograph by Tricia McKellar
July 7th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Cool! Thanks for sharing. I couldn’t believe it when I heard how much it cost to have curtains made these days.
Cookie Cutter´s last blog ..Simplicity Rules – jackson, johnson & roe
July 8th, 2009 at 7:01 am
A while back I did something similar with vintage hankies in my kitchen–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sk8ordiehard/2393367935/
the light filters through them so beautifully! I love the idea using tea towels, too. Might have to find a window for that idea!
Renee´s last blog ..
July 8th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I love Selvedge! This project is on my to-do list when I get enough col towels. I made their Linnet bag last week with the pattern on their site-super easy- http://bit.ly/u74a2
Susan Mulder´s last blog ..Great little site to check out-it is So Worth It!
July 8th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
meant to say ‘cool’ not col sorry ’bout that!
Susan Mulder´s last blog ..Great little site to check out-it is So Worth It!
July 8th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Gorgeous. I’ve been picking up hand-stamped tea towels on Etsy, and I could definitely see them used like this as a shower curtain.
Lisa´s last blog ..New Video How-To: Ship with Endicia Using Dymo Printer
July 8th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
I have a thing for tea towels. When I see them in my colors, I can’t resist them. I always have a set hanging in my kitchen window. However this design takes it to the next level. Love it!
Joselyn´s last blog ..Choosing a Chandelier
July 9th, 2009 at 4:06 am
This is so cute! I wish I didn’t have just skylights in my kitchen!
juliette´s last blog ..DIY end tables, check! Now where to put the couch??
July 9th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I am definitely going to do this in my studio window, and maybe our guest room. I like this idea because it’s a great way use/display a more cherished design or pattern that you wouldn’t want to get ruined in the kitchen.
Jillian´s last blog ..Blogging for Bliss
July 12th, 2009 at 3:46 am
it makes me feel like changing my job to open a café ! ;)
miss Trop´s last blog ..Fermé le dimanche… Semaine 28