What You'll Make and What You Need

A hanging kitchen towel is a rectangular piece of fabric with a sewn loop at one corner so you can hang it from a hook or drawer pull. You'll sew two pieces of fabric together, turn it right-side out, and add a fabric loop before closing the final seam. The whole project takes about an hour once you have your materials ready.

Gather these supplies: two pieces of cotton fabric cut to 18 inches by 28 inches (or any size you prefer), one piece of fabric 2 inches by 5 inches for the loop, thread that matches your fabric, a needle or sewing machine, scissors, pins, and an iron. A kitchen towel works best in absorbent cotton—flour sack fabric, quilting cotton, or linen all work well. You can use a single layer of thick fabric or two layers of thinner fabric sewn together.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two rectangles of fabric to the same size and one small rectangle for the loop, then pin the two large pieces with the right sides facing each other.
  • Sew three sides completely closed, leaving one short end open for turning the towel right-side out.
  • Fold the loop piece in half lengthwise, sew it into a tube, turn it right-side out, and press it flat before inserting it into the opening.
  • Tuck the loop between the two fabric layers at one corner of the opening, then sew the final side closed to trap the loop inside the seam.
  • Press the finished towel with an iron to flatten all seams and give it a crisp, professional appearance.

Cutting and Pinning Your Fabric Pieces

Start by cutting your two main fabric pieces to the same size. An 18-by-28-inch rectangle is a standard kitchen towel size, but you can make yours larger or smaller depending on your preference. Lay one piece on top of the other with the right sides facing each other—this means the pretty, finished side of the fabric is on the inside, and the back sides are facing out. This is the key to getting a neat-looking towel when you turn it.

Pin around all four edges, placing pins about 2 inches apart. The pins hold the two layers together while you sew so they don't shift. Leave the pins in place as you sew; you'll remove them as you approach each one. If you're hand-sewing, use a running stitch (in and out, in and out) about one-quarter inch from the edge. If you're using a machine, use a straight stitch and keep the edge of the presser foot aligned with the fabric edge to maintain an even seam allowance.

Sewing Three Sides Closed

Sew along three complete sides of the rectangle, starting at one corner and working your way around. Use a seam allowance of one-quarter inch—that's the distance between your stitching line and the raw edge of the fabric. Sew slowly and steadily, whether by hand or machine, and remove pins as you reach them. Backstitch at the start and end of each seam (or lock your machine stitches) to prevent the thread from unraveling.

When you reach the fourth side, sew only partway along it—stop about 4 inches from the end. This opening is where you'll turn the towel right-side out. Backstitch to find the thread, then cut away any loose threads. The opening should be large enough to fit your hand through comfortably, but small enough that you can close it neatly later.

Making and Inserting the Loop

Take your small fabric rectangle (2 inches by 5 inches) and fold it in half lengthwise so it measures 1 inch by 5 inches, with the right sides facing each other. Sew along the long open edge using a one-quarter-inch seam allowance. You now have a long tube of fabric. Turn it right-side out by pushing one end through from the inside—this takes patience, but a pencil eraser or chopstick pushed through from the other end helps. Press the tube flat with an iron so the seam runs down the middle of one side.

Fold the tube in half to create a loop about 2.5 inches long, and pin the raw ends together. Slide this loop into the opening you left in the towel, positioning it at one corner so the folded end of the loop points outward and the raw ends are tucked between the two fabric layers. Pin it in place. The loop should sit inside the seam allowance so it gets caught when you sew the opening closed.

Turning and Closing the Final Seam

Before you close the opening, turn the entire towel right-side out through the gap. Reach in and gently pull the fabric through, working a corner out first and then easing the rest through. This is the moment your towel changes from looking inside-out to looking finished. Take your time and avoid tearing the fabric. Once it's turned, use your fingers or a blunt tool to push the corners out so they're sharp and square.

Press the entire towel with an iron, paying special attention to the opening. Fold the raw edges of the opening inward by one-quarter inch on both sides and press them flat. This creates a clean edge. Pin the opening closed, making sure the loop is still tucked inside between the layers. Sew the opening shut using a ladder stitch (also called an invisible stitch) if you're hand-sewing—this stitch closes the gap from the inside so the seam is nearly invisible. If you're using a machine, sew one-quarter inch from the folded edge all the way across.

Pressing and Finishing Touches

Once the final seam is closed, press the entire towel again with an iron on medium heat. Pay special attention to all four edges and the corners, pressing firmly to flatten the seams and give the towel a crisp, professional look. Press both sides of the towel. If you used a machine, the stitching will be visible; if you hand-sewed with a ladder stitch, the seam will be nearly hidden.

Test the loop by hanging the towel from a hook or drawer pull. It should support the weight of the damp towel without tearing. If you want to add a decorative touch, you can topstitch one-quarter inch from the edge all the way around the towel using a machine or running stitch by hand. This adds a frame of stitching that looks intentional and keeps the layers from shifting over time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common error is sewing with the wrong sides facing each other—if you pin with the pretty sides facing out, your finished towel will have raw, frayed edges on the outside. Double-check before you start sewing. Another mistake is making the opening too small; if you can't fit your hand through, you'll struggle to turn the towel and may tear the fabric. Aim for at least 4 inches.

Don't forget to backstitch at the beginning and end of every seam, or your stitches will unravel the first time the towel is washed. If you're hand-sewing, make sure your stitches are small and even—large, loose stitches won't hold up to washing and drying. Finally, don't skip the pressing step. An iron transforms a homemade towel from looking handmade to looking intentional and polished.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a sewing machine if I've never used one before?

Yes. A straight stitch on a kitchen towel is one of the easiest machine projects. Practice on scrap fabric first to get a feel for the speed and how to guide the fabric. Keep your hands relaxed and let the machine feed the fabric; don't pull it. If your stitches are uneven at first, that's normal—they'll improve with practice.

What happens if I sew the loop on the wrong side?

If the loop ends up on the inside of the towel instead of the outside, you can carefully cut open one seam, reposition the loop, and sew it closed again. It's tedious but fixable. To avoid this, pin the loop so the folded end clearly points outward before you close the final seam.

Can I make the towel smaller or larger?

Absolutely. Adjust the size of your two main fabric rectangles to whatever dimensions you want. Just make sure both pieces are cut to the same size. A smaller towel (12 by 18 inches) works well for a bar towel or hand towel; a larger one (20 by 30 inches) works as a full kitchen towel. Scale the loop size proportionally—a smaller towel needs a smaller loop.

Do I need to wash the towel before using it?

It's a good idea to wash and dry the fabric before you start sewing, especially if it's cotton. Fabric shrinks slightly in the wash, and pre-washing prevents your finished towel from shrinking unevenly after you've sewn it. Wash in warm water and dry on medium heat, then cut and sew as usual.

What stitch should I use if I'm hand-sewing?

A running stitch (the most basic stitch—in and out, in and out) works fine for the three main seams. For closing the final opening, a ladder stitch (also called an invisible stitch or slip stitch) hides the seam inside the fold of fabric, making it nearly invisible. Look up a video tutorial for the ladder stitch if you haven't done it before; it takes practice but looks professional once you get it.