How Do I Create Quick Decorative Towels
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Time to read 4 min
A Simple Way to Create Decorative Towels
Hi there! I’m Lynette from Quality Sewing & Vacuum & Vacuum, and we’ve got a fun little project for you—custom decorative towels you can make in no time. These are perfect for sprucing up your kitchen or bathroom, or wrapping up as a thoughtful, handmade gift.
With just a blank towel, a strip of fabric, and some pretty ribbon, you’ll have a cute and colorful accent that’s both practical and personal. Let us show you how we like to dress up a simple towel and turn it into something worth showing off.
Start With a Great Blank Towel
Before we learn to create decorative towels, you’ll want to start with a great blank base. We always recommend Kimberbell towels—they come in a variety of beautiful colors and have the perfect texture for sewing, pressing, and embellishing.
Here's how we like to prep:
• Choose a wide towel in a solid or subtle pattern so your fabric and ribbon details can really shine.
• Cut a strip of coordinating fabric—about 10 inches wide—and fold it in half lengthwise with the wrong sides together.
• Press the fold firmly with a hot iron to create a clean edge that’s easier to stitch and gives a polished finish.
Adding the Fabric Band
Now that your fabric strip is prepped, it’s time to add it to the towel. This is where your project starts to come together—and it’s easier than you might think!
Step 1: Lay the towel flat
Place the towel wrong side up on your work surface so the bottom edge is facing you.
Step 2: Align the fabric
Line up the raw edge of your folded fabric band with the bottom edge of the towel.
Step 3: Pin in place
Add a few pins along the top of the fabric to secure it. You don’t need many—the towel's weight usually helps hold things steady.
Step 4: Stitch it down
At the machine, I place the fabric side down so I can follow the towel’s built-in stitch line. It gives me a clean and consistent seam without needing to mark anything.
Pressing the Bottom Edge
Once the band is stitched in place, it's time to press. I grab my June Tailor Quilter’s Cut ’n Press mat and my favorite mini iron to flip the fabric toward the front side of the towel. A good press gives you that clean, professional fold that makes all the difference.
Make sure everything is lined up neatly before pressing—especially if you’re working with a thicker towel. Press firmly to help the fabric lay flat and stay in position for topstitching.
Topstitching for a Clean Finish
Now that the fabric band is pressed into place, it’s time to add that polished detail on top. I like to keep my needle in the center position and use the inside edge of the presser foot toe as a guide. It’s an easy way to get an even topstitch that follows the edge perfectly—no marking or guesswork needed.
Adding Ribbon for Extra Detail
Now for the fun part—ribbon selection. This is where I like to get creative with color. I chose a soft pink ribbon that really pulls out the pomegranate and tomato tones in my fabric. If another color stands out to you, use that! It’s all about highlighting what you love most in the design.
Here's how I place the ribbon evenly:
• I use the Clover Supersize 5-in-1 Sliding Gauge to measure from the bottom edge of the towel.
• The gauge locks in place, so I don’t lose my measurement as I move across the towel.
• Then I line up the ribbon along that guide and secure it with a few pins across the width.
Sewing on the Ribbon
When I sew ribbon, I like to switch to a stitch-in-the-ditch foot. It has a helpful little flange that runs right along the edge of the ribbon, guiding the needle exactly where it needs to go. You can always shift your needle slightly left or right to line it up just right.
Foot Tip: Stitch-in-the-ditch feet aren’t just for seams—they’re also great for guiding narrow trims like ribbon with clean, accurate edges.
Creative Options to Make It Your Own
You can do way more than just a fabric band and ribbon. Here are some of my favorite ways to get creative:
• Use another piece of fabric in place of ribbon and stitch it the same way as the bottom band.
• Try decorative stitches in a contrasting thread.
• Add trims, bobbles, or even fringe.
• Cut fabric strips on an angle for something a little different.
Try including a layered trim that gives a floral effect. Kimberbell has tons of fun seasonal trims to play with—definitely worth checking out if you’re looking to experiment.
Happy Sewing! - Lynette
How do I keep my ribbon from puckering or shifting while sewing?
Make sure the ribbon is fully flat before stitching, and use a sliding gauge to check even placement. Stitch slowly with the right presser foot (like a stitch-in-the-ditch foot) and avoid pulling on the towel as you sew.
Can I add embroidery on top of the fabric band?
Absolutely! Just make sure the towel is hooped properly or stabilized with magnets like SewTites if you’re skipping sticky spray. It’s a great way to personalize your towel even more with a monogram or seasonal motif.
How do I make sure the back of my towel still looks neat?
After stitching your fabric band and ribbon, press carefully and trim any stray threads. For a super clean back, you can topstitch with matching thread and tuck your starting/ending threads into the hem using a hand needle.
