Fab Fabrics: Organic Terry Cloth


[Creative Commons photo by Lindsey T]

We’ve talked about organic cotton’s merits before. Conventional cotton uses all sorts of nasty pesticides when it’s grown and chemicals and dyes in its production. Organic is just better for you and for the planet. You can imagine how pumped I was to stumble upon this 100% organic cotton terry cloth from Hart’s Fabric!

My first thought when I ran across this was, of course, to make dish towels, so I did a little searching and found some great inspiration. Check out the terry cloth eye candy!

Little Love Monster made this awesome dish towel by transferring her design onto the towel with carbon paper and then embroidering over it (Creative Commons photo):

I also love the idea of adding a cool applique, like these awesome tea towels by Nina Morelli (Creative Commons photo):

This last one is a dishtowel that I found on a thrifting field trip a few weeks ago:

As far as finishing the edges of your terry cloth, you’ve got a few options! If you have a serger, you can just run it right through there. I think it would look cool to use a contrasting colored thread, so it really pops. You could also finish the edges with some pretty seam binding or twill tape. If you want something less showy on the edges, just a narrow hem would do the trick!

I was also thinking that it would be fun to try screening a design onto a tea towel. Has anyone screen printed on terry cloth before? Any tips? I’m guessing that the absorbency might make it a bit tricky!

3 thoughts on “Fab Fabrics: Organic Terry Cloth”

  1. Can you manufacture a custom print on a terry velour fabric? I’m trying to find a company to make a print on terry for me with a very soft feel for a handbag/beachbag. I would appreciate any leads. Thank you. Debbie

  2. Hi, I’m also trying to find a company that will print on terry cloth, as well as a bulk manufacturer. If you find any suggestions :), I’d love to hear about them. Thanks! Morgan

  3. I would love to make some of my own organic bath towels, but didn’t know how to finish the edges. Since I don’t have a serger, it would have to be twill tape…

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