Get Your Kitchen Towels Under Control with a Handy Hanging Loop

Is your kitchen a mess of towels? Do you constantly find yourself tripping over towels that have fallen to the floor or digging through a pile to find the one you need? Keeping kitchen towels organized can be a challenge, but it doesn't have to be. With a simple DIY towel hanger, you can keep your towels handy and off the floor.

By gathering the edges of a kitchen towel and sewing on a hanging loop, you can create a handy way to hang towels from cabinet handles or drawer pulls. It takes just a few easy steps to sew your own custom towel hanger that will keep your towels accessible and tidy.

Gather the Towel Edges

The first step in creating a hanging towel is gathering the edges of the towel together to form a narrow strip. Lay your towel flat and, starting at one short end, fold the edge over by about 1/2 inch and press. Continue folding and pressing the edge across the entire width of the towel.

Be sure to keep the folded strip uniform in width - about 1-2 inches wide works well for most cabinet handles. The strip needs to be wide enough to be sturdy but narrow enough to easily slide over cabinet hardware.

For thinner towels, you may need to fold the strip over twice to create more thickness. For thicker towels like flour sack towels, folding over once should suffice. Fold to the desired width until you have a neat, gathered strip along one edge.

Customize for Your Space

Consider the cabinet handles or knobs you'll be hanging your towel from when deciding on the width of the gathered strip. Measure the width of your handles to determine the optimal size. For larger handles or a tension rod, make a wider gathered strip. For small knobs, keep it narrow.

The gathered strip should be wide enough to fit securely over the hanging hardware but narrow enough to easily slide on and off. Test the width with your cabinet hardware and adjust as needed for the perfect fit.

Sew the Hanging Loop

With the towel gathered, it's time to add the hanging loop. This can be made from fabric strips left over from other projects or purchased pre-packaged binding strips.

Cut your fabric into two strips that are 2-3 inches longer than the width of your gathered towel strip. Sew the two short ends of the strips together to form a continuous loop.

Consider the weight of your towel when deciding how long to cut the loop strips. For lightweight towels, strips 16-18 inches long will provide enough support. For thick or oversized towels, make the strips 20 inches or longer.

Getting Loopy

Don't have fabric strips on hand? Try upcycling materials like scrap ribbon, twill tape, or even scrap fabric cut into a spiral strip. Anything made of a sturdy, woven material will work well.

Add stability by applying iron-on interfacing to one side of the loop strip before sewing the ends together. The interfacing will help strengthen the loop to prevent stretching.

For a touch of whimsy, use variegated thread when stitching the loop ends so a rainbow effect peeks through the top of the loop.

Attach the Loop

With the edges gathered and loop prepared, it's time to attach them together. Pin the ends of the loop strip to each side of the gathered towel edge, aligning the raw edges together.

Sew the loop to the towel by stitching along the gathered edge, pivoting at the corners to attach both sides of the loop. For extra strength, consider using zigzag stitching or adding multiple rows of stitching along the gathered edge.

Alternative Attachments

If your sewing skills are limited, you can hand-stitch the loop using a basic running stitch along the gathered edge of the towel. Or try hot glue or fabric glue applied along both sides of the gathered strip to firmly attach the loop.

For a temporary solution, safety pins can secure the loop to the towel gathered edge. Space pins 1-2 inches apart for a firm hold.

However you choose to attach the loop, be sure it is firmly anchored to support the weight of a damp towel without pulling away from the fabric.

Add a Loop Closure

To prevent the loop from separating when hanging your towel, adding a closure at the top keeps it securely together. The simplest option is sewing on a button or tying an overhand knot.

For easy on and off ability, consider alternate closures like hook and loop tape, a snap fastener, or a magnetic clasp. Simply sew one side of the closure to each end of the loop for an instant hanging solution.

A Secure Solution

Try an adjustable closure using a small piece of elastic thread through the loop ends. Tie off to create a drawstring you can cinch to tighten or loosen as needed. Add decorative knotted tassels for a finishing touch.

Or try hand-stitching a sliding knot to the loop ends, forming an adjustable double-loop for custom sizing. Simply slide up or down to tighten or loosen the loop opening as needed.

No matter which closure method you choose, be sure to test the connection and adjust as needed. It should be secure enough to withstand a heavy damp towel without coming undone.

Hang on Cabinet Hardware

The final step is the fun part - hanging your new towel hanger! Simply slide the assembled loop over your desired cabinet handle, drawer pull or tension rod to put your towel hanger to use.

Position the hanger where you access towels most frequently, like near the oven or sink. Make sure the loop slides easily but is secure enough not to shift around.

When looped over the hardware, gently pull down on the towel edges to create tension to keep the towel from sliding off. Your towel will be conveniently at hand whenever you need it!

Hanging Tips

Consider adhesive foam tape on the back of the loop if it slides around on smooth hardware. The extra grip keeps the hanger in place.

For quick access, hang multiple towels on adjacent handles so every family member can easily grab their own.

Place hangers low enough for even little hands to reach. Help teach kids to hang up their towel when done by making it fun and accessible.

Customize for Your Style

One benefit of a handmade towel hanger is the ability to customize it. Have fun coordinating your kitchen colors and patterns by mixing and matching towel fabrics with your loop fabric.

Choose holiday or seasonal fabrics like Christmas prints or florals in the Spring. Use brightly colored loops for a pop of contrasting color.

Add extra decorative details by stitching lace, rickrack, ribbon or ruffles along the outside edges of the loop. Accent with a fabric flower or bow for extra personality.

Design Options

Make a set of multiple hangers using alternating patterns for a coordinated look. Include a special monogrammed or name towel for each family member.

Or make hangers using meaningful fabric scraps from old projects or clothing to upcycle fabric and reduce waste.

For kids' towels, use whimsical prints featuring their favorite characters or animals. Let them pick the fabric for their own unique hanger.

Care and Maintenance

Caring for your towel hanger helps extend its lifespan. Choose tightly woven cotton fabric with a high thread count for both the towel and the loop.

Wash regularly using a gentle cycle wash and air dry setting. Avoid using harsh bleach or detergents that may degrade fabric over time.

Inspect the closure periodically and restitch or replace as needed if it becomes loose or damaged. A loose closure allows the loop to separate.

For damp towels, hang open to allow airflow and drying to prevent musty odors from developing. Rotate use between multiple towels.

To reduce germs, occasionally wash the hanger loop or use a disinfectant laundry additive. For extra protection, select fabric with embedded antimicrobial properties.

Lasting Quality

Reinforce stress points by stitching across the corners of the loop several times where it attaches to the gathered fabric.

Avoid overloading or pulling on the hanger to prevent the loop seam or gathered edge from ripping. Do not hang heavy objects from the loop.

Let heavily saturated towels partially dry before hanging to reduce excess weight dragging on the loop closure and attachments.

Troubleshooting Tips

Even with proper care, towel hangers may occasionally run into issues. Here are some troubleshooting tips for common problems.

If your towel hangs unevenly, first check that the gathered fabric strip is uniform width throughout. Adjust the gathering if needed so the strip remains consistent.

If the loop attachment pulls away or loosens, reinforce with additional rows of stitching or a fabric glue overlay. Be sure the loop fabric weight matches the towel weight.

A drooping or stretching loop typically occurs when lightweight fabric is used. Replace with a sturdier tightly woven fabric or interface the existing loop fabric to stiffen.

If the hanger excessively slides on the cabinet hardware, try adding adhesive foam tape on the back of the loop as a grip aid. Or switch to a narrower loop width for a tighter fit.

Quick Fixes

For minor seam slipping, apply clear nail polish along the edges as a sealant. For torn seams, hand stitch the opening closed using sturdy embroidery floss.

Small holes or worn spots on the loop can be mended with iron on fabric patches on the backside to prevent enlargement.

Remove any frayed edges by trimming with pinking shears for a finished look that resists additional unraveling.

Inspiration and Ideas

Once you make your first towel hanger, the ideas for variations and customization are endless. Here are just a few inspirations to spark your creativity.

Match your kitchen decor by using colors and patterns complementary to your existing scheme. Tone it down for traditional kitchens or go bold for modern eclectic spaces.

Design seasonal hangers using festive Christmas fabrics or pastel Easter prints. Keep a set on hand to rotate out as the holidays change.

Upcycle fabric scraps from old sewing or craft projects. Cut strips for loops and integrate remnant towel pieces into one eco-friendly hanger.

Personalize with embroidered initials or name in a contrasting floss color. Add birthdates or meaningful symbols for a thoughtful handmade gift idea.

Get creative with edgings and embellishments like rickrack, pom poms, lace and ribbon. Trim the edges for a whimsical touch.

Show Off Your Skills

Jazz up plain towels by adding decorative applique shapes using felt or fabric scraps for a playful pop of color and texture.

Accent the loop tops with buttons, beads, charms or bows stitched in place for personal flair. Change them out to reflect the season.

Add length for a wider hanging drop by joining two contrasting loop strips end-to-end before attaching to the gathered towel edge.

Let the book spines, ribbons, trims and buttons inspire you as you look through your craft supplies for creative embellishment ideas.

Is a clutter of messy, falling towels driving you crazy? With just basic sewing skills and minimal time investment, you can whip up custom DIY kitchen towel hangers that keep your towels tidy and within reach.

Follow the simple gathering and sewing steps to add a handy hanging loop to any kitchen towel. Customize with fabric and closures to match your style. Then hang to enjoy towels that are conveniently at your fingertips when cooking or cleaning up.

Say goodbye to towel chaos and create a more organized kitchen today with this handy life-simplifying hack. Your towels will be happier and so will you!