|
|
Chair Covers
To cover a bistro chair, measure your lengths so that the cover hangs 10 inches or so below the seat at the back and front. Sew four or more lengths of cotton dressmaker’s tape, 10 inches long, to the towel at the points where the seat meets the back. Drape the finished cover over the chair and tie the tapes to secure the cover in place. I gave my formal dining room chairs a makeover using the same idea, making the tabs from vintage store nametapes.
Laundry Bag
A dishtowel makes a handy kitchen laundry bag—ideal for storing used linens between washes. Fold the towel in half, wrong sides facing; sew sides together. Sew two jump rings to the top two corners of the bag opening and attach it inside a kitchen cabinet with cup hooks.
Café Curtains
French bistro designers know a thing or two about ambiance. Take the classic café curtain. Hung at a window’s midpoint, this simple drapery allows sunshine to fill a room while providing the diners inside with privacy and filtered light. Café curtains made from vintage or new tea towels achieve that same effect—with minimal sewing.
Measure your window from the sill to where you want the rod to hang (midway is the usual café length), then, for fit, if necessary, cut and hem the top end of each curtain so that it hangs from the rod to the sill. Attach clip-on rings, or hand-stitch jump rings to each curtain. Mount a brass or white café curtain rod to the window frame at desired height and slip on the curtain rings.
For an even easier method, simply hand-sew jump rings (available at craft stores) to each corner. Screw cup hooks into the window frame, aligning them where you want top of the corner to fall, and fasten the jump rings to the hooks.
photo: STEFANIE GABRYCH FRASER |
Inexpensive, washable and already hemmed, they can be transformed easily.
By Stefanie Gabrych Fraser
 f you’re looking to make a change in your décor, you don’t need to look very far or spend a fortune. Basic household items can be an endless source of inspiration. One such item: the humble dishtowel. The clean, fresh checks and stripes of this rather mundane, but essential, kitchen tool bring out the freshness of spring all year.
Towels are inexpensive and washable. They also come already hemmed (a handy shortcut when sewing) and can be transformed into almost anything: charming café curtains, a kitchen linen bag, chair or cushion covers, or a simple table runner. Nothing could be simpler than using them to cover the seat pads of kitchen chairs or a hall bench—just staple and go.
Tea toweling by the yard
is available at fabric stores. Because the towels are hemmed, even the most reluctant sewer can whip together a pretty Roman shade or make almost-instant covers for bistro chairs. This fabric is ideal since it is designed for commercial use and will withstand lots of wear and frequent washing. • |
