It’s finally here! The 12 Days of Handmade Christmas Tutorials! Thank you for stopping by and don’t forget to grab the button to your right and let your friends know that we will be featuring 12 creative and talented guest posters today through November 12. I also have been asked several times to host a Mr.Linky after this is over so that you all can show us your homeade/handmade goodies. Let me know if you’d be interested in that.
While I wish that I could take full credit for this creation, I must admit that the idea sprouted from something I saw on the SouleMama.com blog for a bathmat that was altered to make a dish mat using recycled towels. I loved the idea and if you’re anything like me, you always place a dish towel above the dishwasher as you unload for those pesky plastics that never dry. This version is a combination of terrycloth and 2 fun fabrics. My dish mat has become a permanent fixture in the kitchen and has been put to very good use!
You’ll need:
5/8 yard of main fabric **PREWASHED**
5/8 yard of coordinating fabric **PREWASHED**
5/8 yard of terrycloth or a recycled bath towel **PREWASHED**
Instructions:
::All seam allowances are ¼” unless otherwise noted.
::Cut or tear main fabric {with grain} into (4) 5 ½” x 22 ½”
strips.
::Cut or tear coordinating fabric {with grain} into (5) 3 ¼”
x 22 ½” strips.
::Starting with the thinner coordinating fabric, piece the front of the dish mat together, sew with a straight stitch
& press seams towards/under the main fabric panels {this will build bulk and give an appearance of fabric being inset}.
Once you’ve pressed the seams. Top stitch with a 1/4” seam allowance, using a triple stitch along the inside seam of the main fabric. A triple stitch will give you a thick & substantial looking stitch. If your machine doesn’t have a triple stitch a straight stitch would work just fine, but be less “substantial”.
Note how the weight of the triple stitch makes the smaller strips look inset.
Now that you’ve pieced the top together, lay it on top of your bath towel or terrycloth {with right sides together} cut the terry cloth to size and pin together around the edges.
Using a 1/2” seam allowance, sew around the outside of the dish mat with right sides together, be sure to leave an opening large enough on one side to turn the dish mat right side out. Once you’ve sewn around the outside with right sides together, trim your seams and clip your corners.
Then you can turn your dish mat right sides out, press, and hand sew the opening shut. Finish by top stitching around the outside of the finished dish mat using about a 3/8” seam allowance.
The terrycloth does tend to pucker a little around the edges. After the first wash it will lay completely flat. These will make wonderful Christmas gifts, hostess’s gifts, and if you have time, make one for yourself– you will put it to good use, especially if sippy cups come out of your dishwasher regularly!
The {pdf} tutorial can be downloaded and printed here.
What fun! I might make one today since I'm laying low.
Darby's blog is my favorite blog!! I love this tutorial. It is so practical and looks great too! Thanks for doing this. I was looking so forward to it…now I can't wait until tomorrow…I love The Nester too!!!
What a great idea… it looks cute too! I don't sew… but I might just have to give this one a try! Love your "12 Days" idea… I will be here every day! 🙂
So cute! I'll get right on it right after I finish my tutorial! YIKES! On second thought, why don't you just whip one up for me, Edie! I'll pick it up on Tuesday! hehehe
Ok, I was a little nervous when I saw the title that this might be a difficult project but I think I might be able to do this! I am excited to see what is yet to come! Oh-BTW, Edie, I have made your recipe for Blueberry Coffee Cake 2 times in the past month and it has turned out GREAT! The kids AND Hubby, who is not a sweets person,love it! THANKS! :)- Rebekah
I do love this idea but alas I am sewing challenged. If I do decide to take the plunge and get a sewing machine this does seem like an unintimidating first project. i do love any project that recycles!
I can however lend a hand on the techy side of things. There's great, free software that will convert any word document to a pdf with 3 clicks. Happy to share more if you like. You have to let me know when you decide to have 12 tech days :). Until then, I will follow along with all the craftiness with envy.
This is a great tutorial. Wonderful idea!
Nancy
darby's blog is one of my favorites!
and there will definitely be a couple of these under my tree this year! love it.
i love darby's blog almost as much as i love yours. this is going to be a fun week!
well, more than a week, since 12 days and all…
oh i am excited! what a great idea…i'm sick of ugly towels under my dishes on the counter! i can't wait to get started…going to get some fabric now! woohoo!
I have followed Darby's blog for quite a while and I LOVE it. These dishmats are adorable and would be great Christmas gifts. I am so excited about this Edie!
oh, how cute! I have towels that I received for my wedding..13 years ago and they are starting to shred. This is a fantastic way to recycle! Thanks!
Found my way here via Darcy (my3b). I like all things handmade and am following now. May mention your blog in a future post. Thanks.
Oh my goodness, these are fabulous! I hate that I almost always have a dish towel on the counter for wet dishes. Of course, I could dry them…but I'd rather have a beautiful dish mat! 🙂
Wow, what a great idea, love it. I know we will be gifting these under the tree this year. Can't wait to see what's in store for the next 11 days!
I love that!
Thanks so much for including me!! It's a pleasure being here on your blog!!
soooo cute!! so excited to see the tutorials!
Great idea! Love seeing Darby over here!
I love love love this idea!! When I get some time I will have too make one too – thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Edie, Love the "12 Days" theme. I first saw this dishmat on Darby's blog. I'm a beginner at sewing… You putting it out there again may push me to actually try it! Thanks 🙂
I found you through Darby's blog today, and I've added you to my list! For the past 2 hours I've been reading your blog and I can't stop (although I must now, because a 22 month old little boy will be waking in a few hours and I must be fully rested for him)! Your blog is awesome! I can't wait to read more.
BTW, I my mother's family is from the Tri-Cities. See, we already have something in common….haha!
It's brilliant! I must make one. I get so tired of that ugly towel on my counter!
Love this and am excited to have discovered Darby's blog through yours:-) She is darling!
I'm one of Darby's friends and I was led to your blog from hers – isn't she amazing?? – and you too!!! I don't sew, but hopefully will learn to one day – you are very inspirational to me! Thanks for a fun read!
I love this! I can't wait to make a few of my own! Thanks for the great tutorial, I'll definitely be back for days 2-12!
oh, I would LOVe one of these- I really need to learn to sew!! I'm always balancing dishes on paper towels. Not pretty. And you could make holiday themed ones too. LOVE this idea!!
I'm so glad I found you and your blog! You're my new fav!
Hugs,
Sheila
Love the 12 Days idea and I vote *yes* for a Mr. Linky party afterward. This is a great tutorial and what a fun project to try!
I just found your blog through a link on Darby's. Both of you fabulous ladies are an amazing encouragement. After reading through your blog for a little while, I felt so encouraged to seek God more. Thanks for being a living example!
I fell in love with that mat when she made it! I'm so glad there's a tutorial now!
first i have to say….
when i saw your 12 days of homemade idea… "what a GREAT idea"…
sooooo excited to see all the fun!
then… when i saw your sneak peek…
your stockings…
i nearly fell right off my chair!
they are simply THE BEST… packed with big character & personality!
then… yesterday i got a chance to peek over at
Darby's blog… you weren't kidding… she sure seems terrific… loving her dish mat! clever as ever!
what a treasure your 12 days of homemade is!
we are all so lucky to get to soak in all the goodness over here!
Love it. I joined to follow and hope you will come by my blog for a visit and follow too.
Cheri
I made the dishmat this morning. It only took an hour and I was able to use some April Cornell scraps that I had been hoarding 'cuz they were too small for much of anything but too big to throw out.
Perfect project and just what I needed for my weird/cool sink and a half that doesn't allow for a normal dish drainer.
Thank you! I am new to your blog, but I'll be back!
That is adorable!!!
(forgot to mention that I am a fellow homeschooler – sent you an email earlier today but neglected to leave my blog link)
What a great idea. This will make a wonderful gift.
Ruth
very fun, practical and totally chic! love it!
if you have a chance, go see my dishmat, i finished it last night! i have had more fun checking your blog and doing these projects. thanks for hosting this!
http://deekaye-heartshare.blogspot.com/2009/11/tuesday-november-10th.html
Darla
I love that idea and even more I love love your mugs!!! Where in the world did you find polka dot mugs?
Thank you for a very crafty idea. I got mine made shortly after reading your tutorial. I enjoyed looking through your other 'days' ideas also.
I found you in a round-about way, but linkied to your tutorial on my blog…….. http://thedottydline.blogspot.com/2009/11/birthday-fun.html#comments
Edie, I have been looking over old post on your blog hoping to get to know you better. I have also been praying for you and I think of you often . . .
I am so glad for this post. I was at my DIL’s yesterday and she has a dish mat (store bought) and I LOVE IT! I kept thinking I want one. Well here it is! I can make my own. This is great. Thank you. (If you see this please don’t feel you must reply. I know you have closed comments on newer posts.) Many Blessings, Sue