Sewing Hanging Kitchen Towel Potholders

Project Overview
  • Skill Level: Beginner

A hanging towel in the kitchen means there is always one towel you can find when you need it. Plus, a hand towel that is hanging on the front of the stove is much safer than a towel that is on the counter next to the stove where it could possibly catch on fire. These sewing instructions are so easy that you may find yourself mass-producing them as gifts.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Sewing machine with a straight stitch

Materials

  • Kitchen hand towel
  • A square or rectangle potholder with a loop for hanging (6 to 7 inches wide by 6 to 8 inches long)
  • Thread to match
  • Button, approximately 1 inch

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Towel

    Preshrink the potholder and towel, since they will need to be laundered frequently. Press the towel flat. Fold the towel in half lengthwise and press the fold. Press the width of the towel in half and press or mark the fold where it intersects the first fold.

    Tip

    Be sure you are matching the hemmed edges as you find the center. Being accurate during this step will ensure that the hems of the towel hang evenly on the finished hanging towel.

    Attaching the towel to the potholder for a hanging kitchen towel
    Debbie Colgrove
  2. Start Sewing

    Sew a row of basting stitches on the fold that was made by folding the length of the towel in half. Sew a row of basting stitches on each side of the fold line basting, sewing approximately 1/8-inch away from the center line of stitching.

  3. Find the Center

    Find the center of the potholder edge that is opposite of the edge with the hanging loop by folding it in half, and mark the center on the edge of the potholder. Match the center of the potholder with the center of the potholder, with the lengthwise fold over the stitching line that is holding the folded bias tape on the edge of the potholder.

  4. Gather and Pin

    Bring the edges of the towel to the edges of the potholder. Gather the towel to fit the potholder edge. Pin the lengthwise fold over the stitching line on the potholder. Hand-baste, if desired, so that the fold is lined up with the potholder stitching.

  5. Continue to Sew

    Turn the towel and potholder over so that you can see the line of stitching on the potholder. With the towel spread out flat under the potholder, sew directly over the potholder stitching to attach the towel to the potholder. Remove any visible basting stitches.

  6. Mark and Sew the Button

    Turn the potholder over so the towel is attached to the side of the potholder that is down. Fold the top of the potholder (the edge with the loop) down, so the loop is 1 inch from the bottom of the potholder. With the potholder folded in place, mark where the center of the loop is over the bottom layer of the potholder. Sew the button on that mark.

    Marking for the button on a hanging kitchen towel
    Debbie Colgrove

Ideas to Coordinate Your Kitchen

  • Use towels as fabric to create small kitchen appliance covers. 
  • Use towels that are the same color as your curtains.
  • Add half of a dish towel to an apron that you make, so it is always handy to wipe your hands.
  • If you don't have a potholder, make your own potholder.