Making the switch to zero waste unpaper towels in your home is a great way to reduce paper consumption and reduce costs. There is no need to buy paper towels in bulk with these around!
Place a basket of the towels next to the sink for family members to easily reach after washing their hands or to clean up those quick spills in the kitchen. Add a second basket to throw used towels in. I found that my husband and I naturally reached for the unpaper towels right away because they were closer to the sink.
It is best to make zero waste unpaper towels with white terry cloth fabric so that they can be washed with bleach. They stay nice and bright over time, and the fun colored stitching is not affected by washing as long as you use polyester thread.
Supplies for Zero Waste Unpaper Towels
- 1 yard White Terry Cloth Fabric
- Polyester Thread
- Scissors
- Rotary Cutter
- Cutting Mat
- Sewing Machine
- Basket or Container
A decorative stitch is a fun touch if your sewing machine has the capability. If not, a straight stitch will work just fine.
How to Sew Zero Waste Unpaper Towels
Cut fabric into rectangles using a rotary cutter and cutting mat. Because the fabric was 44” wide, I cut off the selvage ends and ended up with lengths of 10 ¾” each. You can get 6 strips across the fabric at 6” each making the final dimensions 6” x 10 ¾”.
Using the thread color of your choice, stitch around each towel with ¼” seam allowance. 
Have fun with the stitches and colors! I chose different decorative stitches, as well as zig zags in different lengths and widths.
For this basket, I chose three coordinating thread colors and made eight of each color.
Wash and dry the towels. The edges will come out very frayed. Don’t worry, that’s the point!
Use scissors or a rotary cutter to cut off the frayed edges.
Fold and stack towels in a pretty basket or container. Use as needed instead of wasteful paper towels!
Note: If you don’t like the edges of the towels frayed, you can turn the edges under and pin/clip before top stitching around each towel with ¼” seam allowance. I liked the frayed look, plus it was a much easier and faster process!
Zero Waste Unpaper Towels
Zero waste unpaper towels are an easy sewing project that will reduce paper consumption and save you money.
Materials
- 1 yard Whit Terry Cloth Fabric
- Polyester Thread
- Basket or Container
Tools
- Scissors
- Rotary Cutter
- Cutting Mat
- Sewing Machine
Instructions
- Cut fabric into rectangles using a rotary cutter and cutting mat.
- Stitch around each rectangle with 1/4" seam allowance.
- Wash and dry the towels.
- Use scissors or a rotary cutter to cut off the frayed edges.
- Fold and stack towels in a basket or container.
Notes
If you don't like the edges of the towels frayed, you can turn the edges under and pin/clip before top stitching around each towel with a 1/4" seam allowance.
