Studiopatro is a newly opened pattern studio based in San Francsico by former art director Christina Weber. She loves to collect her inspirations and turn them into patterns and so as a result her leaves, maps, love of typography and architecture are now prints and patterns on tea towels. Her studio grew from her vision and unique translation of her favorite things, a dream of what could be, into a collaboration of local friends, screeners and sewers who share a passion for beautiful, eduring, high quality textiles along with Christina.
I personally enjoyed the page on her site where she shows you 12 ways to use a tea towel outside of the intended purpose. I find these tips very helpful because as I’ve always said in regards to tea towels and sheets and anything else made from fabric – these items can absolutely function outside of what they were made to do — they’re just fabric and fabric is so versatile. To quickly summarize Christina’s great tips: You can use a tea towel: 1. as an apron, 2. to frame as art, 3. to line a tea tray, 4. as a potholder, 5. to dry salad greens, 6. to make a cushion, 7. as a housewarming present, 8. as gift wrap, 9. to line a bread basket, 10. as a large napkin, 11. as a placemat or runner and finally 12. to wrap a wine bottle. If you can’t imagine how some of these examples would work, you can see visuals of all of these examples here.
Lovely! And if you’d like to purchase a few tea towels, you may click here. I love the fern and fig patterns!
(photography: wendy nordeck)
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:04 am
These are great looking towels – and the examples are so smart! I love the giftwrap / flower presentation!
steven´s last blog ..Shadow of Lula – Kyoko Hashimoto
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:15 am
What a lovely list of ways to expand on the usual use of teatowels (and any other fabric, as you say). Some great inspiration for the coming holiday season.
Tamara´s last blog ..Bird paper sculpture
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:41 am
great tea towel tips! pretty tea towels are my weakness. and the tea towels at studiopatro are gorgeous! this could be trouble…
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:46 am
Wonderful pictures and great towel-design. And especially the “How you can use a tea towel” … love it.
caro´s last blog ..She sees it. She likes it. She makes it.
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:52 am
Great tips! And the patterns are gorgeous.
Sophia Mar´s last blog ..Shoes!
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:45 am
These are great looking towels!
I love it.
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:58 am
Hallo Holly,
you might like this: http://www.grueneerde.com/
chiaroscuro´s last blog ..My favorite website
October 22nd, 2009 at 7:38 am
Oh I know Gruen Erde, there is a store here in Hannover where I shop for their bath products. :)
October 22nd, 2009 at 7:52 am
WOW!! It was amazing to see how she used a tea towel for different purposes! And the photos are beautiful! My favorite one is the fig leaf! We had a big fig tree in our yard in Iran when I was a kid…I love this tree! :)
Afi´s last blog ..YAY!!! Thank you Holly!
October 22nd, 2009 at 8:09 am
so many uses!! love these!
laura trevey´s last blog ..Wedding Thank You Cards, for your Bridesmaids, Bridal shower, 5 by 7
October 22nd, 2009 at 8:11 am
I think I have used almost all of these tips for tea towels! I have a huge love of tea towels, and own way to many, but I love to use them! The only tip I have not used is the gift wrap tip, which I will be using immediately!
Thanks for the post, loved it!!
October 22nd, 2009 at 9:32 am
The tea set is adorable! I gave away the loose leaf tea pot I had when I moved and I’ve been looking to replace it….and San Fran isn’t too far from San Diego. And I love all of the tea towel tricks and tips! I think I might have to start stashing a variety around the house.
Brandi´s last blog ..Outdoor Magic
October 22nd, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I love the examples of how to use a tea towel! I actually sat my husband down and showed him a few, so he’d understand why I buy “those stupid things”.
October 22nd, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Natalie – he he your comment made me laugh so loud!!
October 29th, 2009 at 9:11 am
I love this !
Thank you for all these links.
Olivia´s last blog ..Histoire de tronches