Cute as a Button Flour Sack Towels Tutorial

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Several months ago, I bought a set of flour sack towels from Cost Plus World Market.  They are about $5 for a four-pack.  While you can’t beat the price, these towels tend to be a little boring.  However, in my humble opinion, they are the absolute best for drying dishes.  So, I loaded them up in my cart and off I went.

However, after giving it some thought, I realized that these flour sack towels could serve double duty.  They could be useful and beautiful.  So, I got to work to make it happen!  The answer…ruffles.
Ruffled Kitchen Towel

Supplies:

Four-pack of flour sack towels

White Ribbon

Beige Ribbon

Five Buttons

Directions:

First, because flour sack towels tend to be absolutely huge, I started by cutting it down to an average kitchen towel size.

I used one of my cute kitchen towels as a guide for cutting, allowing enough room for seam allowance.
Cut Flour Sack

Then, I folded over the raw edges 1/4 inch and pressed them with an iron.  I folded the edges over 1/4 inch again, pressed them again, and then stitched them to form finished edges.
Hemmed Edges

Then, I used the leftover scraps of fabric I had just cut to make two ruffles.  The dimensions of my fabric for the ruffles were about  3 1/2″ x 31″.   (I ended up putting three ruffles on my towel so I cut that dimension from another flour sack.)
Cut Ruffle Pieces

Before sewing the stitches for the ruffle, I made sure to pull on the thread so I had some extra length to work with when gathering the ruffle.  I set the sewing machine on it’s longest stitch length.
Pull Thread Before Sewing

Then, without reversing to lock in the stitches, I sewed straight across the top of the fabric 1/4 inch from the edge.  I repeated with another straight stitch 1/4 inch directly below the first stitch.  The fabric looked like this.
Ruffle Stitches

There will be four threads in total coming off the left side of the fabric.  Pulling on just the two top threads, I began to cinch my fabric together, being careful not to pull too hard which could break the thread.
Pull Thread to Cinch

Cinch Ruffle
After gathering the fabric into a tight ruffle, I placed it on top of the towel and began to spread it out again until it was the width of the towel, trying to evenly space the ruffle folds.  Then, I pinned the ruffles to the towel.
Pin Ruffle to Towel

Before sewing, I pinned a piece of finish ribbon to the top ruffle to hide the raw edges and provide a clean, crisp edge.
Pin Finish Ribbon

Then, I sewed the ruffles in place with a simple straight stitch.
Sew Ruffle

For just a little touch of color, I layered on another cotton ribbon (that I found with my wrapping paper ribbons).  I sewed right along the edges so that the ribbon would stay flat on the fabric and look nice even after washing.
Sew Ribbon on Towel

Finally, I sewed the buttons on for a fun accent.
Sew Buttons on Towel

Here she is…ready for display.

Flour Sack Towel

Best of all, the dressed up flour sack towel can even venture outside of your kitchen. It makes a beautiful accent towel in the bathroom as well.
Rufffled Accent in Bathroom

Now that she’s all cuted up, I can’t bear to use her for dishes!

Linking To:

Domestic Superhero, Craft-O-Maniac, Alderberry Hill, I Should Be Mopping The Floor, Sewing Barefoot, Sumo’s Sweet Stuff, Homemaker on a Dime, Flour Me With Love, DIY Home Sweet Home, Uncommon Designs, Keeping it Simple, The Girl Creative, Sew Can Do, Organizing Junkie, Sew Chatty, A Round Tuit, Say Not Sweet Anne,   Skip to my Lou, Making the World Cuter, Delicate Construction, Mad in Crafts, Home Stories A to Z,  TwelveOEight, Sugar Bee Crafts, Today’s Creative Blog, Coastal Charm, Lolly Jane, Jojo and Eloise, Our Delightful Home, Blackberry Vine, A to Zebra Celebrations, Crafty Confessions, {Primp}, Savvy Southern Style, Lil’ Luna, Creative Cain Cabin, The DIY Dreamer, Milk and Cuddles, Jaqs Studio, My Girlish Whims, The NY Melrose Family, White Lights on Wednesday, Adorned from Above, Clean and Scentsible, Lady Behind the Curtain, Snap, Fine Craft Guild, Seven Thirty Three, Someday Crafts, Southern Lovely, Polkadots on Parade, Sugar and Dots, Setting for Four, Family Home and Life, Mom on Time Out, I Gotta Create, Live Laugh Rowe, Stone Gable, House of Hepworths, Katie’s Nesting Spot, The Mandatory Mooch, Easy Living Mom, Katherine’s Corner, A Glimpse Inside, 52 Mantels, Momnivore’s Dilemma, Embracing Change, Two Yellow Birds Decor, The Crafty Blog Stalker, Bear Rabbit Bear, The Trendy Treehouse, Somewhat Simple, Jennifer Rizzo, The Shabby Nest, French Country Cottage, My Repurposed Life, Truly Lovely, Tatertots and Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, Young and Crafty, The Gingerbread Blog, Serenity Now, Five Days Five Ways, Shabby Art Boutique, Shaken Together, Whipperberry, Ladybird Lane, The Pennington Point, Positively Splendid, Nest of Posies, Mom Advice, Hoosier Homemade, Eat at Home, Buns in my Oven, Be Different Act Normal, Cheerios and Lattes, Little Inspiration, Polkadot Pretties, Or so She Says, Too Much Time on my Hands, Classy Clutter, It’s Overflowing, Serenity You,

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65 thoughts on “Cute as a Button Flour Sack Towels Tutorial”

  1. These are adorable and I love the idea of where to purchase the flour sack tea towels. I just discovered your site last night and it is already one of my favorites. I am a just getting started in the blog world. I wonder if you would consider letting me interview you and we could feature one of your projects on my blog Deliciously Inspired. There would just be a few questions. I enjoy learning and sharing where others find their inspiration. Have a sweet day.

    Reply ↓

  2. Hello,
    I’m visiting from the hop. These towels are beautiful. Great idea. I’m your new follower. Hope you will visit my blog and hopefully follow back.
    Best
    Angel

    Reply ↓

  5. I love pretty kitchen towels and these are so cute! I agree that the flour sack towels are the best for drying. I usually embroider them to make them fancy, but this is another fun idea, I especially love the buttons!

    Reply ↓

    • Thanks Lisa! I have to admit that I have it hanging in the kitchen “just for looks”! I can’t bear to wipe my greasy dishes with it.

      Reply ↓

  11. This towel is adorable! I love the ruffles and the rustic look with the ribbon. The few buttons were the perfect embellishment for this! This would be a wonderful gift. Great post. Thanks so much for sharing :)

    Reply ↓

  16. Soooo cute! My sewing machine just went belly up, and I am decided if I want to replace it. Baking is my thing, not sewing :) Hope you can stop by the enchanted oven.
    xo,
    Lisa

    Reply ↓

  17. Visiting from Embracing Change Link up party. These are so darn cute. I going to pin this so when we get moved into my new farmhouse, these would be great for my new kitchen. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply ↓

  22. Hopping over from the hop! That is just the cutest towel! I love buttons and ruffles! As soon as I saw this I envisioned some towels made with pastel buttons in the shape of bunnies and eggs for Easter! Since I have been working on Spring and Easter crafts that’s all that is on my mind. :) I use feedsack towels all the time….they dry the best! When they get ragged I use them for dusting and cleaning mirrors and windows, and lots of crafty things! They make great flowers with blingy centers. Greatest invention of fabric evea!

    Love your blog! I’m a new follower too! Come visit us at the cottage. We’re a bit new but would love the visit!

    Have a great weekend!
    Debi

    Reply ↓

    • I’m so glad you like the towel. A towel with buttons in pastels sounds darling. I’ll be sure to visit you at the cottage. Have a great weekend.

      Reply ↓

  23. This is so adorable! Thanks for sharing this on the Domestic Superhero Thursday link party! I would love it if you could add my button or a link somewhere!

    Reply ↓

    • I’m so sorry I didn’t put your link down. Thanks for letting me know. It was a complete oversight. I just put you at the top of the list to make up for it! Have a great weekend!

      Reply ↓

  25. These are so adorable! I love the simple colors and ruffles…precious! Thanks for linking to our Spring Hop. Be sure to add us to your amazing list of link parties. :) Lisa~

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  29. I LOVE this towel! Great idea! Im going to do a version of this in my Powder room that i am in themprocess of redoing. I’m going to begin to follow you now. I just found you. Thanks! :)

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  34. Oh wow Natalie! They look GREAT!!!

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer… From Dream To Reality! I’m looking forward to see what you link up tomorrow evening!

    Reply ↓

  37. Pingback: Twirl & Take a Bow Party and Features~#33 - House on the Way

  38. Oh my goodness! Where do I start? 1. Love your blog name! 2. Love your blog! 3. So glad I found you! 3. your Flour sack towel is so chic and stylish! 4. Thanks so much for sharing your fantabulousness at project inspired linky party! Following you and pinning your tute to our group linky party board!! :D

    Reply ↓

  42. Pingback: Link Love Thursday | Easy Living Mom

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