My attempt at the Unpaper Towel

Since I have one child in college and one heading that way, I have been looking for ways to save money anywhere I can.  During one of my marathon Pinterest sessions, I found multiple pins for reusable paper towels.  So, here is my first public display of my pseudo-crafting abilities.

I dutifully put together a supply list (which I forgot) and headed to the fabric store.  I found the cutest fabric with fruit for the pretty side and diaper cloth for the business side.  Both of these I pre-washed and got started.  Since I purchased a quarter of each of the decorative fabrics, they split nicely into fourths.

For my first try, I used two layers of the diaper cloth for "super-absorbancy".  One of the wonderful bloggers that knows way more about sewing than I ever will, gave the great hint of starting your first stitch in the middle of one of the sides instead of the corner.  Well, of course I forgot this tidbit, which resulted in an ugly, bulky, uneven corner.  Please see Screw-up #1:

After finishing this piece, I went straight to the kitchen to test it's absorbency.  I have to say, it wasn't all that great.  Matt suggested the fabric needed be washed a few more times before use, so I tossed it in the washer and started my next attempt.

For my second try I decided to use part of an old bath towel.  This time I did remember to start sewing in the middle of one side, left an opening and turned it right-side out.  When sewing the outside, I found that the corners were way too bulky to sew.  I tried turning sewing angled corners, but it still didn't look so great.  See Screw-up #2:

#2 did pass the absorbency test.  Yeah!!!

For my third try, I went back to the diaper cloth, but added a middle layer of an old, stained, thin kitchen towel.  My sewing was much better (practice makes perfect), but it still wasn't very absorbent.  See Try #3 with old towel:

Before trying once more, I ran to Wal-Mart and paid $2 for their thinnest white bath towel.  I used this for my last try.  I also added one more step.  After I sewed the first go around (starting in the appropriate aforementioned spot) and before turning it right side out, I cut off as much of the extra fabric outside the seam as I felt comfortable with.  Then I sewed the outside seam.  This made sewing the corners much easier.  So here are the last few pics.  I am pretty proud of myself since I have never had anyone show me how to use a sewing machine.  I am obviously self-taught, but I had a good time with this one.  Thanks for visiting!!!