• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Freemotion by the River

  • Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Island Batik Ambassador
    • Published In
  • Tutorials
    • AccuQuilt Tutorials
    • Free Quilt Patterns
    • Quilts
  • Library
  • Studio

Dish Rug Tutorial

July 28, 2011 By Connie Kresin 26 Comments

This post may contain referral/affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Tweet
Pin392
Share8
400 Shares

Dish Rug Tutorial

Dish Rug Tutorial

Dish Rug Tutorial

Let’s make a dish rug! I just love using one of these instead of a dish towel next to my sink. Mine are about 18 x 20 inches. Measure the counter space that you want it to fit if you need a smaller or bigger one. This is a great way to use up fabric in your stash that you don’t care for anymore. Your dishes won’t care what they are sitting on. Okay, let’s get started.

1. Cut a piece of fabric 18 x 20 inches – good use of a fat quarter. Next get a dish towel or what I used was an old towel that I had and cut it to 18 x 20.

Dish Rug Tutorial

2. Choose 2 coordinating fabrics.
Cut 1 strip the WOF (width of the fabric) by 2 inches from one
Cut 2 – 1 1/2 inch strips the WOF from the other.

Dish Rug Tutorial

3. Stitch together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance and press.

Dish Rug Tutorial

4. Take your fabric and cut 4 1/2 inches off of one side – keep it handy.

Dish Rug Tutorial

5. Take your coordinating fabric strip and stitch it to the side as shown.

Dish Rug Tutorial

6. Stitch the other side. Cut the strip off so we have it for the next step,

Dish Rug Tutorial

7 Turn your fabric – like this.

Dish Rug Tutorial

8. Cut 6 inches off of one side –  don’t loose it.

Dish Rug Tutorial

9. Take your coordinating strip and sew it to one side. (I bet you already figured that out). Before you sew the other side turn the coordinating strip. This makes it simple as you don’t have to match the strips.

Dish Rug Tutorial
10. Now trim it to 18 x 20.
Dish Rug Tutorial
11. Scraps can be used for another project like a mug rug.
Dish Rug Tutorial
12. Once it is all pressed get your towel. Your fabric will be bigger. Lay the right side up and place the towel on top and trim it even with your fabric. You  have plenty of room to move it around.
Dish Rug Tutorial
13. Pin all around your fabric and sew with a 1/2 inch seam. I was able to use a 80 needle on my 15-91 Singer but if your towel is real thick you might need a jeans needle which is a 130. Sew all the way around – don’t leave a opening.
Dish Rug Tutorial
14. Trim the corners. You are probably thinking I goofed……how can I turn it right side out….what we are going to do is use our seam ripper and open up a section in one of the strips.
Dish Rug Tutorial
15. I open the seam up about 3 1/2 to 4 inches.
Dish Rug Tutorial
16. Close view for you.
Dish Rug Tutorial
17.See the opening, now carefully turn your dish rug right side out. Try not to stretch your opening.
Dish Rug Tutorial

18. Press and pin closed the opening. Now top-stitch and catch the opening in your stitching.

Dish Rug Tutorial

19. Do some straight stitching, on this one I just stitched straight lines about 1 and 1/2 inches apart. I just back-stitched at the beginning and ends.

Dish Rug Tutorial

Finished! Now is it a dish rug or a beer rug????? Builder Bob couldn’t resist putting empty beer cans on it. I hope you liked this. I think I will have to make a trip to Goodwill and look for towels as I’m going through our old ones. A good washing and bleach and they would be perfect for dish rugs.

My fabrics weren’t washed before I sewed them and I have already washed and dried my dish rugs. They feel so much softer and didn’t shrink very much at all.

I would love to see any dish rugs that you make! Please let me know and I will post them on my blog.  I have another one that is done differently and will post it soon.

Now it is time to get ready as Builder Bob is taking me out for Lobster!

Dish Rug Tutorial

Dish Rug Tutorial
Simon says Hi!

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission when you make a purchase by clicking on those links. I only promote products and services that I use and love myself. Your support enables me to maintain the content of this blog and I am truly grateful!

Get this Free pattern – Star Surprise Quilt PatternStar Surprise Throw

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission when you make a purchase by clicking on those links. I only promote products and services that I use and love myself. Your support enables me to maintain the content of this blog and I am truly grateful!

New one at 10:00 am! Check out the daily deals at Craftsy!
Fat Quarter Shop Flash Sale Craftsy Daily Buzz

Accuquilt

Craftsy

Tweet
Pin392
Share8
400 Shares

Filed Under: Tutorials

Previous Post: « Snow Quilts Along the River
Next Post: Garden Fence Quilt Blocks »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Debra Kay Neiman

    November 10, 2013 at 6:59 pm

    Hi Simon, tell Momma I am making this today. Getting rid of that ugly drain tray. Thanks

    Reply
  2. Fleurette

    August 28, 2012 at 11:06 am

    What a lovely tutorial and such a great idea. I've got to make one. Thanks

    Reply
  3. Dora, the Quilter

    July 3, 2012 at 4:01 am

    What a great idea, Connie! I always think I'm going to use some of my frayed towels to make potholders–my mom and aunt constantly made them with scrap fabrics–but I don't get around to it. I like your idea–and then maybe I could make some matching potholders!

    Reply
  4. Jeanette S

    March 30, 2012 at 3:31 pm

    I didnt see the pdf button 🙁

    Reply
  5. ANudge

    March 11, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    I finally got around to making this as a gift – it turned out great. Wonderful tutorial. I showed it to my mom and she made a whole bunch for Christmas. Everyone liked the idea. I'll be blogging about this on Applique Thursday as I put some applique on it – hehe, and I'll share your link then. Thanks, Connie!

    Reply
  6. Allison

    August 3, 2011 at 1:20 am

    Oh, what a great way to put the good parts of old towels to use. Thank you!

    Reply
  7. Karen

    August 2, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    What a great idea! I just use an old dish towel. This is sooo much cuter! Thanks for sharing!!!

    Reply
  8. Yes! Yolanda

    August 2, 2011 at 2:04 am

    I LOVE this!! I always drag out a bathroom towel which looks sooo tacky! Can't wait to make this! I need to stop blogging- my list of projects seems to never end! GREAT post! Thanks a ton! Hope you can stop by sometime~ Your newest follower~ Yolanda

    Reply
  9. OhioMomPatriot

    August 1, 2011 at 7:31 pm

    This is a great tut. I have been digging through my stash and found towels I had cut up. I have no memory of what I thought I was going to do with them and this looks like an adorable option. It looks much neater than my dish towel on the counter. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  10. blesid

    August 1, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    This idea is just amazing. Oh of those, "Some people are so clever!" ideas! And the beer cans … the perfect touch! 😉 jules

    Reply
  11. MJ

    August 1, 2011 at 11:27 am

    Good idea! Thanks for the tutorial.

    Reply
  12. Suzanne

    July 30, 2011 at 9:21 pm

    Fantastic tutorial. I will definitely give this a go. This is so much better than just using a tea towel.Thanks for the link re adding a printer friendly version or pdf to your post. I will be giving that a go!

    Reply
  13. A Left-Handed Quilter

    July 30, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    Great tutorial, Connie! I especially like the fact that it is Left-Handed! We need more of those! ;))
    And you need my button – hint – hint!!
    ^..^

    Reply
  14. FabricsNQuilts

    July 30, 2011 at 2:18 pm

    Great idea & Tute! Whoop Whoop!

    Reply
  15. BunkHouseQuilts

    July 30, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    Wow, who would have thought? Neat idea and thanks for sharing the tutorial. Even better with the PDF button!

    Reply
  16. Sarah Craig

    July 29, 2011 at 9:38 pm

    What a great idea! Thanks for sharing your tutorial, too!! Whoop whoop!!

    Reply
  17. Diane

    July 29, 2011 at 9:29 pm

    Cute Idea!

    Reply
  18. Marjorie's Busy Corner

    July 29, 2011 at 7:26 pm

    nice ideas….I am going to have a look at the photo editing program eventually…lol. I have too many thing on the go right now..but it did a great job on your garden pic

    Reply
  19. Sara

    July 29, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    wanting to make something like this for awhile!! Love yours with the beer cans on top;)

    I am having a giveaway if you are interested in a magazine and Ruby fabric!!

    http://joyineverythingthruhim.blogspot.com/2011/07/celebrating-yes-still-and-who-wouldnt.html

    Reply
  20. Sewhappy

    July 29, 2011 at 2:53 pm

    Thanks for the Tut. I will have to try make one of these as I need one badly. Thanks!

    Reply
  21. Vroomans' Quilts

    July 29, 2011 at 2:42 pm

    Thank you for sharing the tutorial for a clever idea.

    Reply
  22. LynCC

    July 29, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    Ahhh – now that's a good idea! We just use old, odd placemats, but they don't match the decor. . . 😀 Thanks for a tutorial

    Reply
  23. West Michigan Quilter

    July 29, 2011 at 12:34 pm

    What a clever idea. You could match the decor in your kitchen. I'm adding this to my to-do list. Thanks for the tutorial.

    Reply
  24. Ellen

    July 29, 2011 at 10:40 am

    Thank you – I just printed it.

    Reply
  25. Jackie

    July 29, 2011 at 1:18 am

    What a fab idea!!

    Reply
  26. Geri Centonze

    July 28, 2011 at 8:43 pm

    What a great idea and adding the Print Friendly button is perfect for tutorials!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Hi! I'm Connie Kresin Campbell. Thanks for stopping by. If you are new here be sure and check out my tutorials. Learn More…

Follow Me

Follow me on Pinterest Follow me on Instagram Follow e on TwitterLinkedIn
signup form

Footer

Visit my shops at My Store or at Etsy or at Craftsy for quilt patterns.
signup form

TERMS OF USE

Usage – You’re welcome to link to Freemotion by the River – ConnieKresin.com – or use a single image with a brief description to link back to any post. Republishing posts in their entirety is prohibited without permission. Feel free to pin on Pinterest

DISCLOSURE AND PRIVACY

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission when you make a purchase by clicking on those links. I only promote products and services that I use and love myself. Your support enables me to maintain the content of this blog and I am truly grateful!

AMAZON ASSOCIATES DISCLOSURE Connie Kresin Campbell is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Copyright ©2010-2018 Connie Kresin Campbell