Framed Tea Towels as Art

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

Tea towels can make great art - frame tea towels to make unique art - thediybungalow.com

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!

Tea towels framed as art - thediybungalow.com

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.

Iron the tea towels to frame them as art - thediybungalow.com

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.

Use steam setting to iron tea towels for framing as art - thediybungalow.com

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.

Make sure tea towel is pulled taut around the back of the frame - thediybungalow.com

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!

Framed tea towels as art in breakfast room - thediybungalow.com
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!

Framed tea towel as art - thediybungalow.com

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

Framed tea towels make great framed art - thediybungalow.com

Have you ever framed tea towels or handkerchiefs before?

Tea towels framed as art - thediybungalow.com

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.

 

8 responses to “Framed Tea Towels as Art”

  1. Kathy Grey Avatar
    Kathy Grey

    Adorable! I never would’ve thought of that!

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar
  2. Christina in FL Avatar
    Christina in FL

    Super cute!!! Thank you for the inspiration!!

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    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Thanks, Christina!!

      Like

  3. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    Cheery, bright, and fun! Perfect for a breakfast room. I have framed 5 of my Grandmother’s handkerchiefs, folded into squares, overlapping corners, in a rectangular frame.

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Thank you, Karen! I have some of my grandmother’s handkerchiefs, too, and have been thinking about what to do with them. What a great idea!

      Like

  4. Cathy B. Avatar
    Cathy B.

    Very nice! I’ve used tea towels as kitchen and laundry room curtains, and framing them is a great idea.

    Have you seen the amazing selection they have at Intown Ace?

    Like

    1. Karen Cooper Avatar

      Yes! They have adorable ones, too! What a great idea to use them as curtains!

      Like

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I’m Karen

I’m a recovering lawyer. Join me on my DIY and organizing adventures!