Re-Purpose Worn Bath Towels Into Smaller Hand Towels

I love, love, love towels! Some people love shoes. Some people love purses.  But, I love towels.  I am that type of person that hates to throw away a towel unless it’s absolutely necessary.  Just because a towel gets old or worn does not mean that it has to be thrown away.  Normally, I cut them up and use them as cleaning rags, especially if the edges start to ravel.  However, today, I decided to use a different technique…….re-purposing the worn-tattered bath towels into smaller hand towels.  The towel in the above pic is from a set that I received as a wedding gift 18 years ago.  Check out the simple steps below…

These are some of the large bath towels that have started to ravel on the edges or starting to get holes.

Using a hand towel as a guide, pin to bath towel.

Cut.

This is some type of trimming material that you will use on the sides.  On the bottom of the towel, I will not add this trimming material because it’s still finished and not raveling.  I’m not exactly sure of the name of the finishing product, but you can find it in the trimming and lace aisle in JoAnne’s Fabric Store.  I’m sure that you can use some other type of material to finish the sides to keep it from raveling.

Pin trimming to sides.

Sew down close to the trimming edge.

Make sure to finish the trimming ends by folding down and sewing.  Use a zigzag stitch to secure ends.  Then, cut extra trimming away from towel.

Now, look at my towel.  So, neat! Re-purposing to save money and towels…..

Close-up shot.

Now, I’m off to re-purpose this bath towel into smaller washcloths.