Hanging Kitchen Towels 3 Ways: Which Strap Style Is Right for Your Kitchen?

Is there anything more quietly annoying than a tea towel that slides off the oven door every time you walk past? If you have been wondering how to make hanging kitchen towels that actually stay put, I have a solution I am really fond of: take any store-bought tea towel and add a handmade strap that hangs it securely on a bar. No buttons, no snaps, no velcro, just a clever strap design that holds.

What makes this project special is the choice. My Hanging Tea Towels pattern includes three different strap designs: a plain strap for a clean, modern look, a gathered strap with a soft scrunchie effect, and a pretty knotted bow style. The pattern covers the straps themselves, and you supply the towel, which means you can transform towels you already own or dress up inexpensive shop-bought ones. The towels I used in the video tutorial measure 19 by 26 inches, but the straps work with any size tea towel or dish cloth.

This pattern is a PDF that's emailed to you right after purchase, and the complete step-by-step instructions are in my free video tutorial. Here it is, so you can see all three styles made from start to finish.

Which of the Three Strap Styles Suits Your Kitchen?

The plain strap is the minimalist of the family. Clean lines, no fuss, and it lets a beautiful printed towel or a bold solid do the talking. If your kitchen leans modern, or you are sewing for someone whose taste you are not sure of, this is the safe and stylish choice.

The gathered strap is made like a scrunchie, with soft gathers that give it a relaxed, cottage feel. It is wonderfully forgiving to sew, and the texture adds charm even when made from a plain fabric. I love this one in small-scale florals.

The knotted bow is the prettiest of the three, with a bow-look detail that makes a towel feel properly gift-worthy. If you are making towels for a Mother's Day present, a housewarming or a holiday hostess gift, this is the style that gets the "you MADE this?" reaction.

There is no wrong answer, and because all three designs are in the one pattern, you do not actually have to choose. Make one of each and see which earns a permanent spot on your oven door.

Supplies for All Three Styles

• A store-bought tea towel or dish cloth, any size. Mine in the video are 19" x 26".
• Small pieces of fabric for the straps. This is a proper scrap-buster: those little leftover pieces you could not bring yourself to throw away are exactly right here.
• The PDF strap pattern, printed at actual size (100%, no scaling) on Letter size paper.
• Basic supplies: sewing machine, thread, pins or clips, scissors and an iron.

If you want to take the straps up a notch, you can embroider or quilt them before assembly to make them extra special. A monogram or a little row of quilting turns a quick gift into an heirloom-feeling one.

How to Make Hanging Kitchen Towels: The Steps at a Glance

The video tutorial shows you how to make hanging kitchen towels in all three designs, step by step, so here is just the overall shape of the project:

1. Print the pattern at actual size (100%, no scaling) on Letter size paper and cut out the strap template for the style you have chosen.
2. Cut your strap pieces from your fabric scraps. This is the moment to add any embroidery or quilting, while the pieces are still flat.
3. Sew and press the strap. Each of the three designs comes together a little differently, and I demonstrate each one on camera.
4. Attach the strap to your towel. The strap joins the towel securely, ready for daily tugging and hand-drying.
5. Hang it on the bar. The design holds the towel in place on an oven or drawer bar without a single button, snap or piece of velcro.

My Tips for Towels That Look Shop-Bought (But Better)

Coordinate, don't match. Pick a strap fabric that echoes one colour from the towel rather than trying to match it exactly. It looks intentional and lets you use more of your scrap stash.

Batch your gifts. These are quick and easy to make, so cut straps for several towels at once and chain-sew them. A pair of finished hanging towels, rolled and tied with ribbon, is my go-to birthday, housewarming and holiday gift.

Think seasonally. A set of straps in Christmas prints transforms plain towels into instant holiday decor. I have a separate Christmas towel topper pattern if you want a design made just for the festive season, and if you enjoy decorative kitchen makes, my fabric butterflies tutorial pairs beautifully with these.

Hanging Kitchen Towels FAQ

What towels work best for hanging kitchen towels?

Any store-bought tea towel or dish cloth will do, which is the beauty of this pattern. The towels in my video tutorial are 19" x 26", but the straps are compatible with any size. Choose a towel that is absorbent and washes well, since these get daily use.

How do hanging towels stay on the oven door without buttons?

The strap design itself does the work. Each of the three styles is made to hang the towel securely on a bar with no buttons, snaps or velcro, so there is no hardware to break, catch or fail in the wash. You can see exactly how each style holds in the video tutorial.

What other hanging towel styles can I make?

Quite a few! Beyond the three strap styles in this pattern, I also have a looped hanging tea towel, a modern hanging tea towel, a tie-on design and a bow-front version. You will find them all in my hanging tea towels collection.

Am I allowed to sell the towels I make?

This one is an original Notches Sewing design for personal use and gifting, and it is not for commercial use. Make as many as you like for your own kitchen and for presents, but please do not sell items made from it or share the pattern itself.

Ready to Rescue Your Tea Towels?

Once you know how to make hanging kitchen towels, you will never look at a plain tea towel the same way again. This is one of those satisfying little projects where an hour at the machine solves a daily annoyance and produces gifts at the same time. If your oven door needs a towel that stays put, all three strap styles are waiting in the Hanging Tea Towels pattern. The PDF lands in your inbox after purchase, so you can print it tonight and sew along with my free video tutorial tomorrow. Pick your favourite strap style, raid your scrap basket, and your towels will never hit the floor again. Happy sewing!