Collaborative Creativity: Exploring the Power of Creating Together
Create a Sustainable and Customisable Alternative: Reusable Paper Towels
Reusable paper towels may sound like an oxymoron, but they are an innovative and eco-friendly solution to the wastefulness of traditional paper towels. These towels are versatile, customisable, and, most importantly, toxin-free. In this article, we will take you through the step-by-step process of making your own reusable paper towels and why it’s a great idea to switch from single-use paper towels.
Why consider making reusable paper towels?
First, they are environmentally friendly. Every year, billions of paper towels are used and thrown away, having a negative effect on the environment. By using reusable paper towels, you can reduce your ecological impact and help conserve our earth.
Second, they are cheaper, especially when we are using material that is already available. I use these swatches with my patterns on them from Spoonflower, but if you don’t create patterns, these are great scrap-busting projects. You can just use some cotton for the front, and towelling or an old handtowel or towelling you no longer need for the back as long as it is absorbent.
Third, they are multi-functional. Reusable paper towels can be used for a variety of cleaning tasks, such as wiping counters, cleaning spills, and dusting. I find they are much more absorbent than paper towels when wiping spills or cleaning surfaces.
Fourth, they are customisable. By making your own reusable paper towels, you can choose the fabric and design that best suits your needs and style. So, why not create your paper towels to match your kitchen décor?
Finally, and probably most importantly they are toxin free. Did you know Paper towels, especially those bleached or treated with chemicals, can contain toxins that may be harmful to our health and our environment? For example, some paper towels contain dioxins, which are highly toxic chemicals that can cause cancer and other health problems. Also, paper towels that are treated with chlorine or other chemicals can release harmful substances like formaldehyde into the air when we use them. These toxins can contribute to air pollution in our homes, and may make respiratory problems worse. So affecting those with asthma, allergies or lung issues. By making and using reusable paper towels, you can avoid exposure to these harmful toxins and reduce your impact on the environment. Let’s do this.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Reusable Paper Towels
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
The first thing you’ll need to do is get your materials together. You’ll need some fabric of your choice, however, you will need something absorbent like cotton or linen. I also use some towelling on the back. You’ll also need a pair of scissors, a ruler, a sewing machine or needle and thread. Also a sewing planner is helpful to keep track of projects, I have made one for you to download at the end of this blog.
Step 2: Cut Your Fabric
Now that you have all of your materials, it’s time to start cutting your fabric pieces. You will need one piece of cotton and one piece of towelling, both cut to the same size. My pattern swatch is already cut to a square, but you can use whatever measurements work best for you. For my towel, I’m using pieces that are approximately 8 inches by 8 inches, but a common size is around 12 inches by 10 inches. To get started, I’m going to use my pattern swatch as a guide and cut off the white edges around the fabric. Then, I’ll cut out a piece of towelling that’s the same size as my cotton fabric. This will ensure that both pieces are the same size and will fit together nicely when it’s time to sew them.
Step 3: Sew the Edges
After you’ve cut your fabric, it’s time to sew the two pieces of fabric together. Place both right sides together, and start on a side not a corner otherwise it will be more difficult to turn through. Leave a gap to turn back through, about 2 inches, and pin a different way so you don’t sew it by accident. Then pin the rest as normal. When you get to the corner, simply stop with your needle down in the fabric, lift the pressure foot and turn the fabric. Place the pressure foot down, and continue sewing. After sewing, trim the corners and pull the towel through the open seam to be the right way out.
Step 4: Topstitch and Finish
Once the towel is right side out, press it and then topstitch close to the edge, ensuring all layers are secured. Now your reusable paper towel is ready for use.
Step 5: Use and Wash
Your reusable paper towel is now ready to use! Use it for all cleaning tasks but instead of throwing them away, you can toss them in the washing machine with your regular laundry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, reusable paper towels are a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to single-use paper towels. They are customizable, multi-functional, and toxin-free, making them a safer and healthier option for you and the environment. So why not make the switch and start using reusable paper towels in your home today?
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. If you’re interested in more eco-friendly sewing projects, be sure to check out my social pages and download my free sewing planner to keep track of your progress. Also don’t forget, the patterns on these reusable paper towels are available on my Spoonflower shop
Let’s Connect.
Is Community Important?
Do you think it is important to connect?
Do you have a community of people that you love to hang out with? I wonder what science says about connection in a community.
So, according to Science Magazine, scientific studies have revealed that socially isolated people have a much higher risk of death. Those involved in a community to talk and interact with have, lower mental health issues, lower heart disease deaths, and better overall health.
Being part of the community and having friends to go to events with, have always been an important part of my life.
Why start this group?
However, in January 2021, I became sick with an illness generally not known about, called Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). This condition affects the nerves in my body from working correctly, so even a small outing can cause time in bed to recover. At the time I developed paralysis in my arms and legs overnight. Yes, the ability to walk returned very slowly, and I was using crutches for a while. However it was scary not knowing how much movement would return, and frustrating to lose so much mobility.
The start of ‘Create Together’
I found I was stuck at home, not able to live the social life I was used to. So I finally decided to hold my own craft get together.
We all get to socialise and create at the same time via Zoom. Have you noticed how healing creating is? ‘Create Together’ is what I called
the group, because it is about everyone coming together, to make a community of people, helping each other and creating together.
I have been passionate about craft and sewing for a very long time, so this is going to be a way to put it to good use. I am keen to connect with all you other craft and sewing enthusiasts, and look forward to what we can learn together.
Who can come to this group?
Anyone who has a love of craft, sewing, creating and connection.
There is already quite a bit of diversity and talent in our group. We have been working on wire crochet to create jewellery, designing stickers to eventually sell, mind dumping to create outfits for cosplay, designing houses for gaming, and then painting and creating models for Warhammer, they are so tiny and yet created with accurate and professional style.
How does our group work?
We are a pretty easy going group, the aim is to support and uplift each other in our journey of crafting and making.
We bring what we are making and create while we chat, then show what progress we have made to the group if you want.
Future Plans
I plan to use my stash which seems to have grown lately, from material with my patterns on them, to dresses I want to make. There is also a Cosplay wardrobe to sort out.
I would really love to know what you are keen to learn, perhaps it is a skill I already have to pass on to you.
I am super excited to make usable and sellable items, and I hope you are excited about what you want to make also. Looking forward to seeing you all at our next catchup.
I am very excited to see how our group grows and what the next amazing skills will be included in our community. If you would like to join, and show us your talent, or just join in the fun, fill in the form below. We meet monthly via zoom, I will send an email with the link. I also send out a bi-weekly update on projects being worked on, or news you may be interested in. Come and join the fun, we can’t wait to meet you.
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