Framed Tea Towels as Art

This project was three years in the making. Seriously. I’m not kidding.

I bought these tea towels from Crate and Barrel three years ago. I love them. I love them so much that I gave them as Christmas presents to my mother, my mother-in-law, and my sister-in-law. I love them so much that I never wanted to use them.

And I love them so much that I thought, three years ago when I bought them, “You know, these are the cutest tea towels. I should frame them rather than use them!”

And then I never did it.

They sat in my cabinet, in the basket of kitchen towels under my sink, for three years.

Until now. Now they’re framed and have become art on the big wall in my breakfast room!

This is a really easy project, and a great way to create unique and inexpensive large-scale art.

First, iron the tea towels so that they don’t have any wrinkles or creases. If the tea towels are new, then they likely are already unwrinkled and pressed, but mine had been washed.

To get the wrinkles out, iron the towels on high with steam. You can even dampen the towels a little before ironing them to get them super-smooth and straight.

You can also use spray starch if you want, but I didn’t think I needed it.

After ironing, grab your frames. Pull the towel taut around the back of the frame before securing it, to make sure there are no wrinkles in the towel. You can also use double-sided tape to hold the towel in place, if needed. Check to make sure the towel’s design is where you want it before securing the back to the frame.

FYI: I used a large frame from IKEA.  Choose a frame based on the size of your tea towel. I like IKEA frames because they are inexpensive and come in a range of sizes and shapes (they didn’t pay me to say that; I just like them!).

Then hang them up and admire your handiwork!

FYI: those aren’t wrinkles; the banister upstairs is reflected in the frames! #notetoselftoimprovephotography

I’m so happy I finally framed these. I just love them!

This would be a great way to display family heirloom tea towels or new ones you just love!

Have you ever framed tea towels or handkerchiefs before?

For five easy and inexpensive ways to decorate a big wall, please click here.

For the solution for framing oddly shaped art, please click here.