Tutorial: Easy scrappy dish towel

Are you tired of hoarding your fabric scraps and never finding a use for them? Well, it’s time to dust off your scrap bin and get ready to create something beautiful and useful!

Katie from Bite Sized Biggie has shared a fantastic idea for putting your fabric scraps to good use. She uses them to add quick and pretty embellishments to plain dish towels. It’s such a simple and fun project that you can complete in just a few hours, and the end result is a set of gorgeous, one-of-a-kind towels that are perfect for sprucing up your kitchen or gifting to a friend.

To get started, all you need are some plain dish towels, fabric scraps in various colors and patterns, a sewing machine, and some thread. Then, simply cut out your fabric scraps into different shapes, such as hearts, stars, or flowers, and arrange them on the dish towel in a pattern that you like. Once you’re happy with the placement, sew the scraps onto the towel using a zigzag stitch. Voila! You now have a beautifully embellished dish towel that is sure to brighten up your kitchen.

These towels are not only a great way to use up your fabric scraps, but they also make fantastic housewarming presents. Imagine how happy your friends or family members would be to receive a set of unique and colorful dish towels that you made yourself! Plus, because the towels are handmade, they show that you put thought and care into the gift.

Don’t let your fabric scraps go to waste! Follow Katie’s lead and use them to create something beautiful and useful. Not only will you have a fun and satisfying crafting experience, but you’ll also end up with a practical and pretty addition to your kitchen or a thoughtful and unique gift for a loved one.

They’d make great housewarming presents!

Click below for her tutorial:

Super Scrappy Dish Towel Tutorial, by Bite Sized Biggie

[photo from Bite Sized Biggie]

Next Pattern:

Sewing Pattern Saturday is my weekly way of highlighting independent Etsy designers who are creating sewing patterns that are thoughtful, practical, and genuinely useful in everyday life. These reviews are written from a real sewist’s perspective, looking beyond the listing photos to how the pattern actually works, who it’s suited for, and whether it’s something you’d realistically make and use. It’s also about supporting small businesses on Etsy who are offering well-designed alternatives to mass-produced products.

This week’s feature is a DIY Reusable Period Pad Sewing Pattern, and it’s one of those patterns that quietly makes a lot of sense once you look a little closer.

First Impressions

At first glance, this pattern is very clear and purpose-driven. The shape is familiar, the design is straightforward, and everything about it feels intentional rather than overcomplicated. It’s not trying to be decorative or trendy. Instead, it focuses on comfort, practicality, and functionality, which is exactly what you want in a reusable period product.

The pattern includes multiple size options, which is a big plus. Being able to sew pads for different flow levels or personal preferences makes this pattern far more useful than a single-size design.

Practical Use & Everyday Wear

Reusable period pads are one of those handmade items that really earn their keep. Once you’ve made a few and figured out what works best for you, they become part of a routine rather than a novelty project.

This pattern is designed with everyday wear in mind. The shape looks comfortable and secure, and the snap placement makes them easy to use with regular underwear. They’re suitable for daytime use, overnight protection, or lighter flow days, depending on the size and fabric combination you choose.

They’re also discreet, washable, and reusable, which makes them appealing for anyone looking to reduce waste or save money over time.

Skill Level & Sewing Experience

This pattern is well suited to confident beginners and up.

You’ll want to be comfortable with:

Sewing curves
Layering fabrics accurately
Using a zigzag or stretch stitch
Installing snaps or fasteners

While the pieces are small, accuracy matters. Taking your time with cutting and stitching makes a big difference to comfort and durability. That said, this isn’t a difficult pattern, and it’s very manageable if you’ve sewn basic items before.

Instructions & Pattern Design

The pattern design is clean and practical, with clearly defined pieces and logical construction steps. This is the kind of pattern that becomes easier with each one you make. Once you’ve sewn your first pad, the rest come together quickly.

Because the pads are relatively small, it’s also a great project for using up fabric scraps, especially flannel, cotton, or absorbent layers you already have on hand.

Fabric Choices & Customisation

Fabric choice plays a big role in comfort and absorbency, and this pattern allows for plenty of flexibility. It works well with:

Cotton or flannel for the top layer
Absorbent cores like bamboo or terry
Waterproof or water-resistant backing if preferred

You can easily customise thickness, absorbency, and size to suit your needs. It’s also a nice pattern to personalise with colours or prints that feel calm and comfortable rather than clinical.

Finished Result & Long-Term Use

Once finished, these pads feel sturdy, reusable, and genuinely practical. They’re the kind of handmade item that doesn’t sit in a drawer unused. Instead, they quietly become part of your routine.

They also wash well when sewn carefully, which is essential for something designed to be used again and again.

Is This Sewing Pattern Worth Making?

If you’re looking for a reusable period pad sewing pattern that is straightforward, customisable, and genuinely useful, this one is a solid choice. It’s practical, well thought out, and ideal for anyone wanting to sew eco-friendly alternatives for everyday life.

This DIY Period Pad Sewing Pattern fits perfectly into Sewing Pattern Saturday. It’s not flashy, but it’s meaningful, functional, and exactly the kind of project that shows how powerful handmade sewing can be.

Pattern name: DIY Reusable Period Pad Sewing Pattern
Available on: Etsy
Best suited to: Confident beginners and intermediate sewists interested in eco-friendly sewing projects.