Pretty Tea Towels To Brighten Up Your Kitchen DIY. Hand Stitches From 1915 Kid's Sewing Book

"Tea towels are believed to originate in England during the 18th century and were used to wipe expensive China. However if you visit local historical societies and museums throughout Great Britain, you will find hand embroidered tea towels that date back well into 17th and 16th centuries. Tea towels essentially were beautifully hand crafted kitchen towels made of linen. These are so-o-o useful around modern kitchen as well. If you ever host tea parties you can also use tea towels to cover baskets with freshly-baked warm scones and muffins."

NotesI was impressed with this book and the idea that 100 years ago kids were taught to master sewing basics and be self-reliant. A 10 year old girl, for example, could sew a night gown for herself and embroider it with any pretty motif she fancied. I remember during my student years in the dorm, some of us weren't even sure how to sew back a button.

Project TypeMake a Project

Time to CompleteUnder an hour

Sewn byHand

Materials List

• fabric
• threads
• needle
• scraps of floral or other fabric to use as applique