Throwing in the tea towel |
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They say that you can find inspiration for art anywhere – even, it seems, in the kitchen, third drawer down... Everyday items have more to offer than the one practical function they were designed for. Take the basic tea towel for example. It may simply be used to dry dishes – or you can take inspiration from our craft ideas and transform it into a doll, an apron or even art.  You don’t need much to start with – just a tea towel. You may have one that is past its prime but you can’t throw it out because it was handed down from your grandmother. Or you may have one that cost you more than you would usually spend, but you just had to have it because it has a print you absolutely love. Maybe you’ve scoured the second-hand shops for vintage versions with a story to tell or a colour to suit. They can all take a starring role in the craft projects on these pages. Think outside the square and send in photos of the tea towel treasures you create. How to make a teatowel apronYou need: 2 matching tea towels for the apron body, an old tea towel or scrap material for the ties, scissors, thread, a sewing kit (needles, pins) and a sewing machine if you have one.
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Fold one tea towel in half to create a square. Cut down the fold line. Take one square and make a sweeping cut down two opposing edges to create shape and curve – this will be the upper half of the apron. Attach one straight edge of this square to one short edge of the full-sized tea towel. This will create the body of the apron. |
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Take the second square and cut a half-circle shape. This will be the pocket. Our tea towels were double-sided, so we flipped the half-circle over to use the contrasting colour for the pocket. Pin the half-circle to the centre of the lower half of the apron, folding the edges under as you go to create a tidy finish. Sew. |
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Cut a long strip about 6cm wide from your scrap material or older tea towel. Fold over edges to hem and sew. You need four of these. Attach one strip to either side of the apron’s waist, just under the seam where the two tea towels meet. You will tie these two together behind your back when you wear the apron. |
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The remaining two strips are the neck ties of the apron; pin and sew one end to each side of the top edge of the apron and simply tie the two together behind your neck when you wear the apron.
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Please see the photo gallery for all the photos from this story. Web Exclusive - How to Make an "Ugly" DollThere’s not much that’s more personal than a handmade gift. Create this “ugly” doll as a present for someone special – it’s a cute cuddly toy that any child will love. For a quaint rustic look, make it from old tea towels you’re about to throw out or use some new bright ones in the recipient’s favourite colour. Who knows – you may fall in love with it and keep it for yourself…
You need: 3 tea towels, 2 buttons for eyes, scissors, thread, a sewing kit (needles, pins) and a sewing machine if you have one. Download the following patterns; Ugly doll body. Ugly doll face.
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Print the pattern from this website. Ideally you want to print it onto an A3 sheet of paper to make a decent-sized doll. If you can only manage an A4 sheet you can enlarge by simply tracing an outline approximately 10 centimetres out from the pattern.
Lay one tea towel on top of the other (good sides in) and pin the edges together. Place the pattern on top, pin and cut around the shape. |
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On the third tea towel (preferably one with a different colour and pattern), cut 2 circles for the eyes and a long mouth and teeth. Use the pattern supplied if you need to. Pin these to the good side of one of the cut tea towels. Change your sewing machine stitch to zigzag and sew around the edge of each eye. Do the same for the teeth and mouth. |
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Attach your buttons to make eyeballs. Place these anywhere in the circle, depending on what sort of expression you want – you can set them directly in the centre for a normal look or lopsided for a slightly crazy look. |
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Join the 2 good sides of the tea towel body and pin. Sew all the way round, leaving a gap at the top of the head. Turn the body out the right way, fill it with stuffing (making sure it goes right to the end of the arms and legs) and then hand stitch the head up. Now find a suitable name for your “ugly” doll! |
Story: Debbie Harrison
Photographs: Matthew Williams
Stylist: Alice Ridley
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