Ring in the New Year Wishes & Stitches

Here is a quick little how-to on a simple and effective stitching technique I use on my dishtowel embroidery. 

Lots of you ask if they are ok to wash? the answer is, yes!  I wash and dry my towels all the time. Instruction number 1 is: pre-wash your blank towel. I wash mine in warm water on a regular setting. Then I dry on a warm or hot setting. Your new towel is ready to trace and stitch.

Little note here...Be sure to check if your towel has a barcode sticker on them. If you happen to have missed it, I have heard fingernail polish remover works just great to remove the sticky residue. Then re-wash.

After a year or so, I stop treating them nicely and they get thrown in with whatever matches the dishtowel. Usually a load of other towels or t-shirts. 
Remember, every washing makes them a bit softer 🫧 🧼 

I do find that sometimes the little lazy daisy stitches get a little out of whack.
When I use 2 strands for most of the Lazy Daisy stitches done, they do seem to hold up better.
​On the latest towel. Cheers! The New Year Towel, it uses single strands to tie all those little stars and starbursts to the hanging glistening garland. So, I have added a little video on my "couching" those little bows to hold them in place.

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Click on the video below. Couching and a quick peak of my back. 

A chance to see my first draft drawing and  little bit messy back!

I did not couch every bow. Only the ones with larger loops. The little ones seem to stay in place very well.

I hope you have enjoyed this little primer on couching.

Wishing you a Happy and Joyful New Year!

Barri Sue Gaudet