Faux Cross Stitch Tea Towel | Pretty Handy Girl

Faux Cross Stitch Tea Towel | Pretty Handy Girl

How about a cheap and easy DIY gift idea today? Faux Cross Stitch Tea Towels are sure to please anyone and they cost less than a dollar! I bought several of the red striped Tekla tea towels at Ikea that cost .79 a piece!

Faux Cross Stitch Tea Towel | Pretty Handy Girl

I came up with the idea after seeing Miss Mustard Seed’s cafe curtains. But, decided to create monogrammed tea towels to give as gifts.

Faux Cross Stitch Tea Towel | Pretty Handy Girl

Materials:

  • Ikea Tekla Tea Towel
  • Red & green acrylic paint
  • Tiny round paint brush
  • Painter’s tape
  • Light box (if you don’t have one, you can tape your letter and towel to a window during the day.)

Instructions:

Find the letter style you want to use by Googling “Cross Stitch Alphabet” in the image section. To use the alphabet I chose, download this cross stitch alphabet for reference. Print it and cut out the letter you wish to use. Tape it to the center of your light box.

Faux Cross Stitch Tea Towel | Pretty Handy Girl

Fold your tea towel in half lengthwise to determine the center. Line up the center on top of the letter print out.

Faux Cross Stitch Tea Towel | Pretty Handy Girl

Tape the sides of your tea towel to the light box (lightly stretch the towel until the fabric is taut.)

You should be able to see the shape of the print out through the cloth when you turn on the light box.

Faux Cross Stitch Tea Towel | Pretty Handy Girl

Using a tiny paint brush, dip it in water first and then the paint. This will give you more control and a finer line. Create a series of “X”s on the tea towel. You don’t have to be exact, but try to imagine staying in rows and columns with your x’s. It creates a more realistic looking cross stitch.

Faux Cross Stitch Tea Towel | Pretty Handy Girl

Change colors to add the decorative swoosh.

Faux Cross Stitch Tea Towel | Pretty Handy Girl

And…that’s it! See, easy and cheap.

Faux Cross Stitch Tea Towel | Pretty Handy Girl

If you’re feeling guilty about not spending much money, put the towel in a cheap basket and throw some clementines inside. BAM! Feel better now?

Faux Cross Stitch Tea Towel | Pretty Handy Girl

November is creeping to a close. I hope you are enjoying the Très Frugal DIY Gift series and have found some great ideas! I have a bonus DIY Gift Idea for you today that I’m sharing with my friend Amanda at Serenity Now! DIY Stenciled table runners, check ’em out.
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Faux Cross Stitch Tea Towel | Pretty Handy Girl

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6 replies
  1. Pam Kubala
    Pam Kubala says:

    I love the faux cross stitch tea towel idea! Since I’ve always has a hard time making a straight line with a paint brush, would a permanent marker work ? I think it would simplify the different widths of the x’s that I would paint. Your idea is great!

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey
      Brittany Bailey says:

      Pam, the marker ink tends to be absorbed into the fabric and will spread out more than the paint. But, feel free to try it. Let me know if you are successful or find a good combination of fabric and pens.

      Reply

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