How to Make DIY "Un-paper" Towels

It's been a million and one years since I've blogged on here or have done anything La Ti Doe related...but I'm back!

I put La Ti Doe on the back burner for a new business I was working on - Espinache - maybe you have heard of it? A spinach-infused hair and skin care line. But after a spinach love affair that lasted several years...I had to close that chapter for a bunch of different logistical reasons. 

So long story short, after New York, to Princeton, and then to Philadelphia...I am now in Miami! And loving the sunshine. Will be launching my La Ti Doe etsy shop back up again soon where I'm going to offer a bunch of different hand made textile goodies that bring joy the home. 

Anyways...for this past Christmas I was trying to think of something I could gift my sister who is very environmentally conscious. She really hates getting "stuff" from people. She is very minimalistic and tries to live as waste-free as possible. So I thought about making her a giant set of "un-paper" towels, made of soft absorbent cotton that she can reuse and reuse and wash (by machine or by hand!) and reuse again.

And I think it was a successful gift because I didn't get yelled at! Hehe. 

It seemed like a no brainer to make some for myself too. I live with 2 dogs and 2 men (my husband and his brother) and me myself, who am probably the mess-equivalent of a few 8 year olds, so you can imagine we go through a lot of paper towels and a lot of trash.

What I love about these "un-paper" towels:

• They are 100% cotton flannel - super soft and absorbent 
• They are machine washable 
• They are super simple to make
• They are super cute
• They are waste-free
• They can double as napkins or even as little bibs
• They are soft enough for any surface without leaving a scratch
• They are much stronger than the normal paper-made paper towel 
• They 'cling' together easily so you can roll them up and store them on any regular paper towel holder
• They would make a great house warming or hostess gift! 

Materials You'll Need to Make DIY "Un-Paper" Towels:

• 1-2 yards of 100% cotton flannel (1 yard will make about 16) -- I got these from Joann Fabrics
• Serger / overlocking machine (for the trim)*  
• Matching thread 
• Sharp fabric scissors and/or pinking shears

*If you don't have a serger/overlocking machine, you can use a regular sewing machine. Just cut the edges with pinking shears and fold over all of the edges to make a clean seam 

How to Sew DIY "Un-Paper" Towels:

Step 1: Fold & Cut

Fold the yard of fabric in half about 4x to form equal sized rectangles. Depending on the width of your fabric, the shape might be a bit more square or a bit more rectangle. 

My squares turned out to be roughly 10 inches x 11 inches. 

With your sharp fabric scissors, cut along the folds on all 4 sides. 

Step 2: Iron Flat

This step is a little extra, so you can skip this if you don't feel like going all out. But I like to run my iron over each square just so they are all flat, smooth and easier to work with on the machine. 

If you do not have a serger/overlocking machine, you can cut the edges with pinking shears, and then fold along out the outer edges and iron those down to make a clean edge that won't fray as much. 

Step 3: Serge Along the Seams 

Simply sew along all for sides with your serger (or sewing machine). If you're sewing with a sewing machine, you can pivot for crisp square corners. With a serger, I just sewed along all in 1 continuous stitch, curving along the edges for curved corners. 

Repeat for all of your squares! Then cut off any excess / loose strings. 

Step 4: Stack & Roll

Overlay one square on top of the next into a long line. The slight soft and fuzziness of flannel creates enough static for its own natural Velcro effect—so these will all 'stick', or more like cling, together on their own. 

Then roll these up! You can roll them directly on an empty paper towel roll or directly on a storage rod. 

They should stand up on their own - or you can store them on a cute paper towel holder wherever you use them most. I HIGHLY recommend making separate towels for the bathroom / unsanitary areas and making them different distinct colors so you're not accidentally cleaning toilet (barf) with the same cloth unpaper towels as your kitchen countertops!!! 

Fini! 

And that's it! Having a serger makes this so much faster / easier. But you can definitely make these with a regular sewing machine, no problem. 

I think I might sell these in my etsy shop - COMING SOON! - so you can also get them from there if you don't feel like making them yourself!

Enjoy -