How to Sew DIY Hanging Kitchen Towels

Cheerful handmade hanging kitchen towels with rooster and apple fabric toppers, designed to hang neatly from a stove handle and brighten the kitchen.

A Simple Sewing Project That Turns One Store-Bought Towel Into Two

Dear Readers and Subscribers,

Some sewing projects are not only simple but also incredibly practical for everyday life. One of those projects is the hanging kitchen towel.

Hanging kitchen towels keeps a towel right where you need it—on the oven handle, refrigerator handle, or cabinet pull—without constantly falling to the floor like ordinary towels often do.

Over the years, I have sewn many hanging kitchen towels, and they are a quick and satisfying sewing project. They are also a great way to add personality to the kitchen because the topper can be made in any shape or style you like.

The best part is that you can make two hanging towels from one store-bought long towel, making this project economical and useful. You can buy kitchen towels from almost anywhere, including dollar stores, Walmart, Target, Amazon, and eBay. 

Let’s take a look at how easy they are to sew.

Why Sew Hanging Kitchen Towels?

Hanging kitchen towels is simple but very practical.

They stay in place on the oven or refrigerator handle, making them easy to grab when cooking or cleaning. They also add a decorative touch to the kitchen when sewn with colorful fabrics.

Another advantage is that they are inexpensive to make. By cutting a store-bought long, not short, kitchen towel in half, you can create two hanging towels for the price of one.

Materials Needed

To make DIY hanging kitchen towels, you will need:

• Store-bought long kitchen towel

• 100% cotton fabric for the topper

• Coordinating thread

• A button, snap, or hook-and-loop closure

• Sewing scissors

• Pins or clips

Cotton fabric works best because it is durable, washable, and available in endless prints and colors.

Cutting the Towel

Begin with a standard store-bought kitchen towel.

Fold the towel in half and cut it across the center to create two pieces. Each piece will become a hanging towel.

This simple step lets you make two finished towels from a single purchase.

Cutting the Fabric Topper

The fabric topper is the decorative piece that attaches the towel to the oven or refrigerator handle.

Cut two pieces of cotton fabric for each towel topper. The topper can be shaped in different ways depending on your style.

Common shapes include:

• Rounded tops

• Triangle tops

• Rectangle tops

• Decorative curved shapes

This is where creativity comes in. The topper can be designed in any fashion you like, using beautiful cotton prints.

Sewing the Towel to the Topper

Place the towel's cut edge along the bottom edge of the topper piece.

Gather the towel slightly to fit neatly across the width of the topper.

Pin or clip in place and sew securely.

Then place the second topper piece over the first, right sides together, and sew around the edges, leaving the bottom open.

Turn the topper right-side out, then press.

Adding the Closure

To allow the towel to hang from an oven handle or cabinet pull, add a closure at the top.

Common options include:

• A button and buttonhole

• A snap

• Hook-and-loop tape

Once the closure is added, the topper can wrap around a handle and fasten securely.

A Note From My Sewing Experience

I have sewn many hanging kitchen towels over the years. They are quick to make and very practical in the kitchen.

While they make wonderful gifts and useful home items, I have found they do not always sell well at craft fairs or in online shops. For that reason, I often recommend them more as a personal sewing project or a handmade gift rather than relying on them as a strong selling item.

Sometimes the best sewing projects are the ones that simply make everyday life easier.

Fabric Ideas for Kitchen Towels

Because the topper is made from cotton fabric, there are endless possibilities for color and design.

Some lovely choices include:

Floral prints

Vintage kitchen prints

Farmhouse-style fabrics

Seasonal fabrics for holidays

Bright, cheerful prints for everyday use

Patchwork designs from your stash

The topper serves as a small decorative accent in the kitchen, while the towel remains fully functional.

In Summary...

DIY hanging kitchen towels are a wonderful beginner sewing project and a great way to use small pieces of fabric. They sew quickly, require very little fabric, and add charm and convenience to the kitchen.

They also make thoughtful, handmade gifts for friends and family who enjoy practical home items.

Sometimes the simplest sewing projects are the ones we end up using the most.

If you enjoy practical sewing tutorials like this one, be sure to subscribe to The Designer’s Needle in the sidebar so you never miss a new project, sewing tip, or creative idea for everyday sewing.

Looking for sewing patterns, fabric, and notions? I have them in my Payhip Shop and The Needle Market Shop. Stop by and peruse my products to find something unique and creative to sew!