Why upgrade to 100% linen bath towels and how to sew your own
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SKEPTICAL
My old cotton towels were long past their prime. I was not enjoying any fluffiness during their use anymore I was only half listening to the woman on the other end of the telephone line as she crowed "and they take up so little room in the laundry, the terry ones take up ten times the space in the hamper. They exfoliate your skin as you dry your body. My skin is softer after a week..." and on and on she raved. I stifled a yawn and attempted to sound enthusiastic as I congratulated my friend on her amazing discovery. I hung up the phone feeling slightly concerned about my friend on the other end. I figured that she had spent too much time alone during the past year of coronavirus restrictions. Surely, only a very bored person reached such a heightened level of excitement when discussing new bath towels.
curious
I worried that bath towels made out of Linen would be rough against the skin. They were notA few days later, as I was struggling to carry what seemed like a dozen loads of laundry the four blocks to my closest laundromat, I started to wonder if linen towels really could improve my life. I realized in that moment how much space my fluffy, terrycloth towels took up. Lighter weight, more compact towels sounded like just what I needed in my life, I thought, as I scurried on the sidewalk, retrieving the garments that had just toppled from the teetering pile of dirty clothes I was pushing up the hill.
why linen?
While I waited on my washing machine cycle to end, I did some googling to find out more about linen. The more that I learned, the more that my friend's enthusiasm for her new linen towels made sense. Linen has many desirable qualities.
advantages of linen towels
-linen is a natural fiber made from the flax plant.
-linen fabric is 100% biodegradable
-it takes considerably less water to make linen fabric than it does cotton.
-The process the flax goes through to become fabric is less polluting and uses fewer chemicals than are commonly used in the production of cotton and other fabrics.
-linen fabric is strong and only becomes stronger when wet.
-linen fabric is more absorbent than cotton
-it also dries faster than cotton
-linen is antimicrobial
-it is less likely to mildew than cotton
-linen fabric becomes softer with each use.... unlike my terrycloth towels. They seem stiffer and scratchier after each trip through the laundry.
-linen fabric is 100% biodegradable
-it takes considerably less water to make linen fabric than it does cotton.
-The process the flax goes through to become fabric is less polluting and uses fewer chemicals than are commonly used in the production of cotton and other fabrics.
-linen fabric is strong and only becomes stronger when wet.
-linen fabric is more absorbent than cotton
-it also dries faster than cotton
-linen is antimicrobial
-it is less likely to mildew than cotton
-linen fabric becomes softer with each use.... unlike my terrycloth towels. They seem stiffer and scratchier after each trip through the laundry.
| I found all of the above information after only a few minutes of online research. All was widely and easily found from multiple sources. If you are interested in the history of linen textiles, Wikipedia's article may be of interest to you. I was amazed to learn that people have been making fabric from flax for over 30,000 years. My research led to my decision to definitely give 100% linen bath towels a try. I could not find any reason not to. | |
Ready Made or me made?There are, of course, 100% Linen Towels that can be ordered. I considered ordering my towels, but in the end, I decided that I would sew my own. By making my own bath towels, I had total control over the linen quality as well as the color and size of the towel. Sewing my own was also a more affordable option. Either way you decide to acquire your new linen towels, you will experience the benefits of upgrading. | |
aquiring the linen
| Good quality 100% linen fabric can be expensive. I looked at many stores in an attempt to find fabric that I could afford. I am going to share where I finally purchased my linen from. I am not an affiliate of this store and I benefit in no way if you purchase from this amazing linen store. I am just so happy to have discovered this resource, I can't keep it to myself. There are so many weights and amazing colors to pick from. I finally decided to use a mid-heavy weight (7.1oz a yard) fabric in microchip (a light grey). |
The fabric is 56" wide and I wanted to make huge towels that could be wrapped completely around the body. I purchased 1.5 yards for each towel.
Transforming the fabric into a towel
| Linen fabric has a reputation for shrinking during its first wash. I knew that prewashing was recommended. The recommendation is to wash the fabric in the same manner that you will wash the finished item you are making it from. I would recommend prewashing the fabric because you never know how it will shrink up. Against my own advice, I chose not to prewash. I did not want to schlep up to the laundromat to wash a clean piece of fabric and I figured that if the towel ended up misshapen, I would be ok with that. I was too anxious to wait and I got started right away. |
finishing the edgesOnce your fabric is cut to the desired size, you will need to protect the edges from fraying. The simplest way to accomplish this is to fold each side over half of an inch and then again half of an inch, so that the raw edge on each side is rolled up and protected by the hem. Hemming the selvedge edges is optional as selvedges do not unravel. If you remove the selvage edges from your fabric before hemming, you may want to save them. The selvedges can be used to make a (optional) hanging loop. |
loop for hanging
I chose to add a short strip of fabric on one side of my towel to make a loop so that my bath sheet would be easy to hang on a hook in my bathroom. I used a piece of twill tape. Grosgrain ribbon or the selvedge removed from your fabric are other good options. The ideal loop will be made from a fabric that won't unravel.
I cut a 4-inch piece of ribbon and tucked the ends under the folded fabric that was to become my hem.
When I sewed my hem, I removed the binder clips and sewed over both the ribbon and the hem at the same time.
I cut a 4-inch piece of ribbon and tucked the ends under the folded fabric that was to become my hem.
When I sewed my hem, I removed the binder clips and sewed over both the ribbon and the hem at the same time.
fringe
the line of stitching, visible here, is what prevents the frige from unraveling further up the clothIf you have hemmed up each side that is not a selvedge, you are done. You have made yourself a simple towel.
If you want a more decorative finish, try making fringe on two sides of the towel.
The first step is to use your sewing machine to sew a line parallel to the edge of your fabric that is to be fringed. This line will be the barrier that prevents your fringe from continuing any further up the cloth. The distance between your edge and your sewn line will end up being the length of your fringe. For reference, the photo at right has about a one-inch fringe and I found it to be a perfect length.
I've been experimenting, using the different fancy stitches on my machine for the fringe barrier line, but any stitch should work. Zig zag is ideal and if you only have a straight stitch machine, that would work too (but I would add an extra row of stitching, resulting in two parallel rows of straight stitches about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch apart.)
If you want a more decorative finish, try making fringe on two sides of the towel.
The first step is to use your sewing machine to sew a line parallel to the edge of your fabric that is to be fringed. This line will be the barrier that prevents your fringe from continuing any further up the cloth. The distance between your edge and your sewn line will end up being the length of your fringe. For reference, the photo at right has about a one-inch fringe and I found it to be a perfect length.
I've been experimenting, using the different fancy stitches on my machine for the fringe barrier line, but any stitch should work. Zig zag is ideal and if you only have a straight stitch machine, that would work too (but I would add an extra row of stitching, resulting in two parallel rows of straight stitches about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch apart.)
| Once your line has been sewn, you will want to pick out all of the threads, parallel to your edge, all the way up to the line. Leaving behind only the perpendicular fringe threads. This you will want to do one thread at a time, with the help of a pair of tweezers. This process is easy, but may take some time, a perfect activity to occupy your hands while watching tv. |
Your new 100% linen towels
'By now, you are the owner of a new and improved towel to use after your shower. It may take a little time to get used to. Linen towels are different than the typical terry towels most people are used to.
I have quickly grown accustomed to my new towels. I especially love how little space they take up and how fast they dry after use. My towels are already softer feeling than the ones I used previously and I'm excited about the idea than they will continue to get softer as I use them. I cannot attest to their durability personally, mine are too new, but I have read that good quality linen towels can last for decades.
I have quickly grown accustomed to my new towels. I especially love how little space they take up and how fast they dry after use. My towels are already softer feeling than the ones I used previously and I'm excited about the idea than they will continue to get softer as I use them. I cannot attest to their durability personally, mine are too new, but I have read that good quality linen towels can last for decades.
caring for 100% linen towels
Linen towels are very simple to care for. There are only a couple of things you need to know to make sure your towels last a lifetime.
-Machine washing and drying is fine if you take your towel out of the dryer before it is completely damp.
-If removed from the dryer while damp, shaken out, and hung up, you will experience minimal wrinkling.
-You may iron your towels, if you feel it is necessary. Linen loves steam, but don't let your iron get too hot as linen can singe and you will end up with shiny spots on the fabric.
If you have any questions about linen bath towels or any information that I missed, please comment below and I will do my best to reply.
-Machine washing and drying is fine if you take your towel out of the dryer before it is completely damp.
-If removed from the dryer while damp, shaken out, and hung up, you will experience minimal wrinkling.
-You may iron your towels, if you feel it is necessary. Linen loves steam, but don't let your iron get too hot as linen can singe and you will end up with shiny spots on the fabric.
If you have any questions about linen bath towels or any information that I missed, please comment below and I will do my best to reply.
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