tea towel kitchen rug

the spot in front of my kitchen sink is kind of an odd size and i always have a hard time finding a cute, washable rug small enough to fit it. i was looking around on the internet and saw this one, which i thought was pretty cute, but too big. in the description it says ‘inspired by vintage tea towels’ and i thought to myself, why don’t i just make a rug out of a cute tea towel? it turns out a tea towel is just the perfect size…

tea towel kitchen rug

for the backing i cut up an old rug i used to use in the kitchen, but had started falling apart around the edges. it fit the tea towel just right after i trimmed the ratty parts off. you could also use an old towel or blanket for a backing, or a layer or two of canvas.

first, cut the backing ¾” smaller than the tea towel all the way around. then lay the backing on wrong side of the tea towel. fold the edges of the towel around the backing and sew. the great part about using a tea towel is the edges are already finished for you!

sew onto backing

you know i had to add some jumbo ric-rac around the edge!

jumbo ric rac edging!

i think it came out pretty cute, and it was super quick and easy to make, which i like. really, it only took about a half an hour to make. it took me longer than that to decide which tea towel to use!

18 Responses to “tea towel kitchen rug”

  1. Kelley Hart Says:

    What a fabulous idea! Must put it on my to do list. I too cannot seem to make anything without jumbo rick rack!

  2. Joy Says:

    I agree, it did turn out cute. Quick and easy is what I like!

  3. David Says:

    Fun floorcovering/rug! thanks for sharing the creativity :)

  4. Amber Says:

    Wow! It looks great! I have yet to get a sink rug because I couldn’t find one that seemed right, but I think I might just steal your idea!

  5. threeundertwo Says:

    Such a great idea! It’s so cheerful.

  6. kittee Says:

    thanks for fixing the ability to post. i love the rug, but the mexican looking tile in the kitchen mushroom shot is really driving me insane. i love it so.

    xo
    kittee

  7. hannah Says:

    thanks!
    i love tiling, it’s very relaxing! one day i thought the kitchen wall looked boring in plain old yellow so i went crazy with the tile. there’s a good picture of it here.

  8. Tausendschoen Says:

    hannah, my dearest dear! i had to make a posting just for you and your fairytale world!!! i am sooooo in love :-oooo
    hope to buy a wonderful skirt from you, one day, if i will loose weight *ggg* much love from germany, silke

  9. susan Says:

    oh i love it, you are so clever!!
    is this a vintage tea towel??
    its so pretty, i think i will be making some of these soon for gifties

  10. hannah Says:

    thanks! the tea towel i used isn’t vintage, but i think the design looks vintage. i also used them for my kitchen curtains.

  11. Brenna Says:

    Oh My Goodness Oh My Goodness!!! I have the exact clogs you wear in your tea towel rug blog. I wear them all the time! Yours look much more bright and shiny than mine. Mine have a “well loved” look.

    Love your skirts. I own a few. Thinking about the velvet or gingerbread next. Should I wait for more winter things coming soon?

  12. Allison Says:

    Fabulous – I’m also super into making my own ‘rugs’ these days!

  13. lisa Says:

    really cute idea . I am going to have to try this

  14. tea towels - Karen Phillips Says:

    love this! What a cute idea. Thanks for the inspiration on clever things to do with kitchen tea towels.

  15. Angela Says:

    Very Cute and Clever!!!!!!! What I want to know is, where do you find kitchen towels like that? Is it vintage or from a vintage store or could I find it somewhere else? Also, what size is that rick-rack-adorable? Does that come from a fabric store or one of the big retailers? Love this idea!!!!!

  16. hannah Says:

    thanks! i found those cute tea towels at the 99cent store a few years ago, if you can believe that! the ric rac is a little over 1″ wide, i bought it at the wrights factory outlet in massachusetts. i saw recently at joanns they started carrying the jumbo ric rac by the yard. there are also a few people who sell it by the yard on etsy.com

  17. Elaine Howard Says:

    Love this idea, will definitely put it on my to do list, thank you.

  18. Gail Says:

    What a great idea. I have been looking for something different for a mat in my kitchen now i have found it. Love the jumbo ric rac will definately have this on mine too. Many thsnks.

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