Priya Kapoor
Embroidered dish towels are a fun way to add a personal touch to your kitchen. Flour sack towels are a popular choice for embroidery as they are lint-free, absorbent, and made from soft cotton. They are also thin enough to get into small spaces to dry water spots. When embroidering, it is important to use a stabilizer like Sulky Tender Touch to protect the skin from scratchy stitches. The fabric should be pre-washed and cut several inches larger than the design to extend beyond the edges of the hoop. While embroidering, ensure the fabric is tight and secure, and use the recommended number of strands for stitching. For towels, it is best to stick to no more than four colours, and often only three.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fabric type | Flour sack towels, 100% cotton |
| Fabric preparation | Pre-wash, iron, use a stabilizer |
| Fabric colour | White, natural tan |
| Number of colours used for embroidery | No more than four, often three |
| Embroidery design | Monogrammed, printed, iron-on, traced |
| Embroidery technique | Hand, machine |
| Embroidery stitches | Outline stitch, satin stitched dots |
| Number of strands | Two |
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$134.99 $145
What You'll Learn
Painting on flour sack towels
Flour sack towels are a great option for embroidery projects as they are lint-free and thin enough to get into small spaces to dry water spots. They can also be used as a canvas to paint on. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to paint on flour sack towels:
Preparation:
Firstly, you will need to prepare your work area. Cover your table with wax paper or another protective layer such as a vinyl plastic tablecloth, kraft paper, or plastic seal wrap to prevent paint from seeping through. You will also need a flat surface, such as a plastic cutting board, to spread your paint.
Washing the Towels:
Before painting, it is recommended to wash the flour sack towels to remove any starches or additives. This ensures that the paint will adhere better to the fabric fibers. Press any wrinkles or roll around the edges with a hot iron or heat press to ensure the fabric is as smooth as possible.
Painting:
Water down your paint slightly but be careful not to make it too runny. You can use a dry brush technique by wiping the excess paint onto a piece of paper before applying it to the towel. Apply the paint lightly with a brush or roller without pressing too hard. You can also use a decorative roller to create different patterns and colors.
If using a roller, flatten the paint with a brayer roller or a knife/spatula if you don't have one. Cover the roller with paint and begin at one side of the towel, rolling from bottom to top without lifting the roller. Create a second row by starting at the top and rolling downward, continuing to alternate until the entire towel is covered.
Drying and Heat Setting:
Allow the paint to dry by laying the towel flat. Once dry, use a hot iron or heat press to heat set the pattern. Place a barrier fabric, such as another flour sack towel or a lightweight fabric, between the paint and the iron to protect your design.
Additional Tips:
You can also use fabric paint or add a fabric medium to your paint. Acrylic paint, in particular, is very permanent and won't wash out. You can find flour sack towels at various retailers, such as Walmart, or online at craft stores.
With these steps, you can easily customize your flour sack towels with your desired designs and colors, creating a unique and personalized touch to your kitchen or bathroom.
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Choosing the right fabric
When choosing the right fabric for embroidery, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, the type of embroidery you plan to do will influence your fabric choice. For example, surface embroidery often involves curved and flowing lines, so selecting a fabric that can accommodate smooth curves is essential. Additionally, surface embroidery often requires filled spaces with closely worked stitches, such as satin stitch and long and short stitch filling. To facilitate this, a fabric with a full weave is ideal, where the warp and weft threads fill the surface without noticeable gaps.
Another factor to consider is the weight of your embroidery design. The fabric must be strong enough to support the design. Looser fabrics may not be able to hold the threads effectively. Therefore, if you have your heart set on a specific fabric, it's best to choose an embroidery design that suits its weight.
If you're looking for fabric suggestions, several types are popular among embroiderers. Quilter's cotton is a versatile option, suitable for projects like placemats, table runners, and quilts. It is best to use simple and open designs with this fabric. Linen is another excellent choice, known for its strength and durability. It is a natural fabric with a beautiful texture and is particularly well-suited for embroidery when paired with the correct stabilizer. Silk is also favoured for its sheen and ability to provide a crisp, strong base. It works well in both woven and felted formats, and the latter does not fray, making it easy to work with.
For dish towels specifically, flour sack towels are a popular choice. They are lint-free and thin enough to get into small spaces to dry water spots. However, they tend to be stretchy and can wrinkle before being washed a few times. To address the stretchiness, it is crucial to get the fabric extra tight in your hoop to ensure stability. Pre-washing the fabric can also help with pre-shrinking and reducing wrinkles.
When painting embroidery, consider using fabric suitable for the paint medium and ensure it can withstand any necessary pre-treatment or post-treatment processes. Additionally, if you plan to embroider on top of painted fabric, choose a paint that will not clog the fabric's weave and interfere with your stitching.
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Preparing the fabric for embroidery
Choosing the Right Fabric
Firstly, consider the type of fabric you will be using. For dish towels, flour sack towels are a popular choice as they are lint-free and thin enough to get into small spaces to dry water spots. However, they can be a bit stretchy, so it is important to get the fabric extra tight in your hoop to stabilize it. If you are working with linen, it is recommended to pre-wash and pre-shrink the fabric to avoid any unwanted shrinkage later on.
Transferring the Design
Before you start embroidering, transfer your design to the fabric. You can use products like Sulky Sticky Fabri Solvy to get accurate lines to stitch along and also stabilize loose fabrics. Trim the stabilizer close to the design's shape to minimize the excess that needs to be dissolved later.
Hooping the Fabric
Loosen the screw at the top of your embroidery hoop and place your fabric on the bottom ring. Gently pull the fabric taut and then push the top hoop down, securing it with the screw. Ensure the fabric is tight and secure, but be careful not to stretch it too tightly, or you may distort the fabric and spoil your stitching. If your fabric slips, try binding the bottom ring with tape for a better grip.
Stitching Techniques
When threading your needle, use the recommended number of strands, usually around 2. Pull the thread through the underside of the hoop, leaving a 2-inch tail. Make a small stitch and pull the thread tight, being careful not to pull it all the way through. Repeat this for a second stitch to secure the thread. This will give you a neater finish on the backside. Remember to secure the last stitch in the same way.
Avoiding Puckers
If you are working with knit fabrics, be mindful of the size and density of your embroidery pattern. Large or dense designs can cause puckering and limit the fabric's stretch. To avoid puckers, use smaller and less dense designs, and consider using a steam setting on your iron to smooth out any unwanted puckers.
By following these steps, you will be well-prepared to start your embroidery journey, creating beautiful and professional-looking embroidered pieces.
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Techniques for transferring designs
There are several techniques for transferring designs onto dish towels for embroidery. One common method is to use a lightbox to trace the design onto the fabric. This can be done with a regular pencil or a pen, such as a Micron pen or a Frixion pen. If you don't have access to a lightbox, you can tape the design and fabric to a window and trace it using natural light.
Another option is to use iron-on transfers, which can be purchased or printed at home. To do this, tape the iron-on transfer to a lightbox or a window and trace the design using a mechanical pencil. Then, iron the design onto your fabric. You can also use an iron-on transfer pencil by tracing the design onto paper and then ironing it onto your fabric.
If you're using an embroidery hoop, cut your fabric several inches larger than your design so that it extends beyond the edges of the hoop. Pull the excess fabric around the hoop to make it tight and secure before threading your needle.
Some people prefer to sew their design onto a separate piece of fabric and then attach it to the towel. To do this, place the embroidered circle and the lining circle together with the right sides facing each other. Pin the liner to the design and sew around the outside edge, leaving a narrow seam allowance. Carefully clip the outside circle edges and turn the fabric right side out. Press, then attach it to your towel.
There are also stabilizers available that can be sewn through and then dissolved with water, although these are more commonly used for free-motion quilting patterns.
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Protecting the embroidery
Painting larger areas of embroidery on dish towels can be a fun project, but protecting your embroidery is key to ensuring your creation lasts. Here are some detailed and direct instructions to protect your embroidery work:
Choose the Right Stabilizer
Using a stabilizer is one of the main ways to protect embroidery. The stabilizer should generally be the same weight as the fabric you are embroidering on. For example, if you are working with thick, fluffy fabrics, use a double layer of medium-to-heavy-weight tear-away stabilizer on the backside of the fabric. This gives the stitches something to lock into.
Cover the Stitches
Covering your stitches is not required, but it can help preserve them, especially if you have a large design. A covering layer can protect stitches from getting snagged in the laundry or on jewelry. You can use an adhesive cover back, which irons onto the backside of your embroidery design. The Cloud brand is recommended as it won't make the fabric stiff and follows the flow of your garment.
Laundering and Washing
Appropriate laundering and washing techniques are essential for protecting embroidery. Always wash and dry embroidered items according to their fiber content. Turn items inside out before washing and drying to prevent friction and snagging from zippers, snaps, and buttons. For new projects, test for dye transfer by rubbing a water-dipped swab on the threads. If the swab picks up dye, wash in cold water and thoroughly rinse to remove excess dye. Avoid washing older, fragile pieces that crinkle in your hands, as they could disintegrate. Wool and silk items should be dry cleaned to avoid shrinkage and colour fading.
Ironing
When ironing embroidered items, try to avoid ironing directly on intricate stitch work, as this can flatten or snag stitches. Instead, iron around the embroidery or use a lightweight cloth between the iron and the embroidery design. You can also iron from the backside, directly on top of a cover back, to protect stitches.
Storage
To store embroidery, avoid direct sunlight, as sun damage can occur even to UV-resistant and fadeproof items. Rotate pieces regularly if on display. Store embroidery in acid-free tubes or in archival-quality waterproof containers. Fabric likes fresh air, so ensure there is airflow to prevent mould and dirt buildup, especially in high humidity areas or long-term storage.
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Frequently asked questions
Mary's Kitchen Flour Sack Tea Towels are a good option for beginners. They are high-quality, thick, durable, and designed with DIY projects in mind. They are also absorbent, lint-free, and made from 100% soft cotton.
It is recommended to stick to no more than four colors, and often only three. Simple designs are also better for embroidery dish towels.
You can use Sulky Tender Touch Stabilizer. It is a permanent lightweight, iron-on stabilizer that protects sensitive skin from scratchy stitches by fusing it onto the back of the embroidered garment.
