What You Need to Sew a Dish Towel

A dish towel is one of the easiest sewing projects because it is straightforward two rectangles of fabric sewn together with the edges finished. You need fabric (either two pieces of coordinating fabric or one folded piece), thread that matches or complements your fabric, a sewing machine, scissors, pins, and an iron. Most dish towels are made from cotton or linen because these fabrics absorb water well. You can use new fabric from a bolt, or repurpose fabric from old sheets, worn-out clothing, or fabric scraps you have saved.

The finished size of a standard dish towel is roughly 16 to 18 inches wide by 24 to 28 inches long. To account for seam allowance (the fabric you lose when you sew), cut your pieces 17 to 19 inches wide by 25 to 29 inches long. If you are using one piece of fabric folded in half, cut a rectangle twice the finished length plus half an inch for the fold.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two rectangles of fabric roughly 17 to 19 inches wide by 25 to 29 inches long, or use one piece folded in half.
  • Pin the two pieces with the right sides (the pretty sides) facing each other, then sew three sides closed with a straight stitch using a quarter-inch seam allowance.
  • Trim the corners at an angle before turning the towel right-side out so the corners lie flat instead of bunching.
  • Press the open edge flat with an iron, fold it inward by half an inch, pin it closed, and sew it shut with a straight stitch.
  • Press the finished towel with an iron to set the seams and give it a crisp, professional appearance.

Cutting and Preparing Your Fabric

Lay your fabric on a flat surface and measure out your rectangles using a ruler or measuring tape. Mark the corners with a pencil or fabric pen so you know exactly where to cut. Use sharp fabric scissors (not paper scissors, which dull quickly) and cut in one smooth motion rather than with short, choppy cuts. Dull scissors will pull the fabric instead of cutting cleanly, which creates fraying and uneven edges.

If your fabric is wrinkled, press it with an iron on medium heat before you cut. Wrinkles make it hard to measure accurately and can cause your pieces to shift while you are cutting. Once you have both rectangles cut, lay them on top of each other and check that the corners and edges line up. If they do not match exactly, trim them so they are the same size.

Pinning and Sewing the Three Closed Sides

Place your two fabric pieces with the right sides facing each other — this means the pretty, finished sides are touching and the back sides are facing outward. This is the opposite of how the towel will look when it is finished, but it is the correct way to sew. Pin along three of the four sides, placing pins about 2 inches apart and perpendicular to the edge so they do not get in the way of the presser foot.

Thread your sewing machine with thread that matches your fabric or blends with it. Set the stitch length to a medium setting (usually between 2.0 and 2.5 millimeters on most machines). Sew along the three pinned sides using a quarter-inch seam allowance — this means the needle should be about a quarter inch away from the raw edge of the fabric. Sew slowly and remove pins as you approach them; never sew over a pin because it can break the needle or damage the machine. Leave the fourth side completely open; you will use this opening to turn the towel right-side out.

Trimming Corners and Turning the Towel Right-Side Out

After you have sewn three sides, you will have a fabric envelope with one open side. Before you turn it right-side out, trim the corners at a 45-degree angle about a quarter inch away from the stitching. This step prevents the corners from bunching and puckering when you turn the towel. Use sharp scissors and cut carefully so you do not cut through the stitches themselves.

Reach into the open side and grab the fabric at one corner from the inside. Pull gently and steadily until the entire towel turns right-side out. The seams are now on the inside where they belong, and the pretty sides of the fabric are facing outward. Use a blunt tool like a chopstick or the back of a wooden spoon to push the corners out from the inside so they are sharp and square instead of rounded. Press the entire towel with an iron on medium heat to flatten the seams.

Closing the Open Side with a Slip Stitch

Fold the raw edges of the open side inward by half an inch on both pieces of fabric, and press them flat with an iron. Pin the opening closed so the folded edges line up and the opening is sealed. Thread a needle with thread that matches your fabric. Use a slip stitch, which is a hand-sewing stitch that hides the thread inside the fold of the fabric so it is nearly invisible from the outside.

To make a slip stitch, bring the needle up through the fold on one side of the opening. Move the needle straight across (about a quarter inch) and insert it into the fold on the opposite side. Slide the needle inside the fold for about a quarter inch, then bring it back out. Move back to the first side and repeat. The stitches should be small and evenly spaced, roughly a quarter inch apart. When you reach the end of the opening, tie off the thread on the inside by making two small stitches in the same spot, then trim the thread.

Pressing and Finishing Your Towel

Once the opening is closed, press the entire towel with an iron on medium heat. This sets the seams, flattens any wrinkles from handling, and gives the towel a crisp, finished appearance. Pay special attention to the edges and corners. If you want a more decorative finish, you can sew a straight stitch or a decorative stitch around the entire perimeter of the towel about a quarter inch from the edge. This is called topstitching and it reinforces the seams while adding a professional look.

Your dish towel is now complete and ready to use. Wash it once in warm water before using it to remove any loose threads and to soften the fabric. Dish towels made from cotton or linen become more absorbent with washing, so they actually improve with use.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is sewing with the wrong sides of the fabric facing each other — if you sew with the right sides facing outward, the seams will be on the outside of the finished towel and it will look unfinished. Always double-check before you start sewing. Another frequent error is forgetting to trim the corners before turning the towel right-side out, which results in lumpy, rounded corners instead of sharp ones.

Uneven seam allowance is also common, especially for beginners. If your seam allowance is too wide in some places and too narrow in others, the towel will be lopsided. Use the edge of the presser foot as a guide, or mark a line on the fabric with a pencil before you sew. Finally, do not pull the fabric while you are sewing — let the feed dogs (the metal teeth under the presser foot) move the fabric at their own pace. Pulling causes puckering and uneven stitches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a serger instead of a regular sewing machine?

Yes, a serger works well for dish towels and actually finishes the raw edges at the same time you sew, which prevents fraying. However, a serger uses more thread and is not necessary for a basic towel. A regular sewing machine produces a perfectly good dish towel.

What if I do not have a needle and thread for the slip stitch?

You can close the opening with a machine stitch instead. Fold the raw edges inward, pin them closed, and sew a straight stitch about an eighth inch from the fold. This creates a visible seam on the outside, but it is still functional and looks intentional if you use matching thread.

How much fabric do I need to make one dish towel?

You need roughly half a yard of fabric if you are buying from a bolt, or two pieces of scrap fabric at least 17 by 25 inches each. If you are using one piece folded in half, you need one piece at least 17 inches wide by 50 inches long.

Can I add a hanging loop to my dish towel?

Yes. Before you sew the three sides closed, fold a 4-inch strip of fabric in half lengthwise and sew the long edges together to create a tube. Turn it right-side out and press it flat. Pin one end of the loop to the inside of one corner before you sew the three sides, so the loop is caught in the seam and hangs from the corner when the towel is finished.

What thread weight should I use?

Use all-purpose thread in a weight labeled 40 or 50 — this is the standard weight for most sewing projects and works well for dish towels. Heavier thread (like 30-weight) can create visible, bulky stitches, while very fine thread (like 60-weight) may break under the stress of washing and drying.