209: un-paper towels

In the midst of one of those many hours spent surfing around Pinterest, I stumbled on someone selling "un-paper towels" on etsy.  A very cute notion indeed.  

I liked the idea of us using a lot less paper towels (haven't 100% eliminated them yet) and I have a bunch of cute novelty fabrics that I never can figure out how to use.  

So the towels (napkins, cloths, whatever you want to call them) are terry cloth on one side and quilter's cotton on the other.  They are simply serged around the edges.  This is what I saw several people doing on etsy.  Many of theirs have plastic snaps so you can actually roll them up on a paper towel dispenser, but that seem an unnecessary step I didn't want to add.

I pre-washed all the fabric and really the trickiest part was figuring out how to turn outside corners with a serger.  But, let's face it, they didn't need to be perfect.  I did dab a little fray check on the thread ends to stop unraveling.  I made a whole bunch more than I show here, but I'll probably make more because lots are always in the wash.

I started using mostly fruit and veggie prints because that seemed appropriate in the kitchen but I think anything that makes you smile is perfect.  It's a bit like my vintage drinking glasses...just a mini pick-me-up every time I use them.

It is a little weird to get over the potential for staining them (TOTALLY happens and that's the point) and use them like a regular paper towel.  But the kids are getting used to them and even have specific prints that they want at each meal.

Made anything quick and fun lately?

JT

 

Comments

[Cille]

The fabrics are great for this project. It really makes me smile too :)

[Steph VW]

Those are adorable! I think my husband and I have bought paper towels once or twice in the 11 years that we have lived in our house. People have strange reactions to us not using them ("But what do you do when you spill something on the floor?" - "Wipe it up with a dishcloth and toss the cloth in the wash!"), but it has saved us lots of $ over the years. We keep a stash of baby facecloths in the kitchen for my son's post-lunch cleanup... but I'm thinking some cute cloth napkins might be in order after seeing these! Love the Hello Kitty fabric. :)

[Katybeth]

I'm addicted to paper towel and can't sew a button on but I love these--so cute and practical. You probably wonder how a non crafty person like me showed up on your blog...it's my way of dreaming and setting goals for my next life!!

Thanks!

[Laura]

This is what I need to do! I'm always running out of cloth towels and then we go through paper towels like crazy before I can get them washed again. Thanks for sharing!

[Dianne]

I gave up buying paper towels years ago. The un-paper towels are adorable.

[kids flip flops]

This un-paper towels is another great project. There's a lot of design to be chosen and those are all creative. Kid's will love it too.

[Rachael]

I have daydreamed of being able to switch to the un-paper towel...I love the little snaps so they go on a roll, but it would be more work than I need. LOL

Maybe if I make one a month starting now, I'll have enough in a couple of years to make do!

[Wendy]

I've spotted this project around and been meaning to do it for ages! I love your take on it, the fabrics are perefect!

[Harry Skinner]

The towels are looking very adorable specially their prints which are very colorful and attractive. Mostly design are relates to vegetables and fruits so that they are specially design for the kitchen area or for the dinning tables. One thing must be important that usually people are not comfortable with paper towels but after this techniques, people`ll like to use them. The use of such paper towels are not regularly but can be done on occasionally.

[Chaussures de foot pas cher]

wow, glad to be here, and thank u for your sharing!

[Linzee]

Love this, and the perfect excuse to use some kitchen-y prints I had to have, as well as to practice my serger skills.

[converse all star]

Par inadvertance, voir votre article, je me sens très semblable au style de l'écriture et je peux voir le contenu de l'article et son même esprit, il vaut vraiment la peine heureux de lire votre article que celles rencontrées Concert generallyalso espérons que vous aurez de bonnes œuvres les plus , et des remerciements spéciaux.

[Best man Toast]

It may look colorful style but i think it is comfortable to use.. :D

[הנהלת חשבונות]

i use paper towels regularly. both effective and inexpensive. however ideas you gave here just wonderful.

[click here]

When outside, take frequent dips in the ocean or pool, or mist yourself with a water bottle.