I had to post a picture of my finished red-work kitchen towels–they’re finally done. The vast majority of this stitching was done in the car on the way to and from Colorado in July, an effective means of distracting myself from the fact that my husband was driving SO FAST across the plains of Oklahoma that he actually ran over two birds AT THE SAME TIME, but that shall be a post for another day.
Anyway, what was I talking about? Oh yes, the towels–
Here’s a close-up of the embroidery of each towel. I plan to do a binding (probably red and white toile) around each one, but it may take me a while to get to it. Plus, I’m shuddering at the thought of actually using these in my kitchen, home of muddy hands and melted Velveeta. These babies may be getting framed.
That last one was the hardest–the little strawberry leaves on the Sunday towel were quite tedious. If anyone is looking for an easy and satisfying handwork hobby, I highly recommend giving simple embroidery a shot.
*UPDATED TO ADD*
To answer a question a couple of you e-mailed, Heavens no, I didn’t do them in freehand! I transferred them onto the towels using an iron-on set I got at Wal Mart. The towel set cost, I believe, $5; the iron-on pattern was around $2. Embroidery thread is so cheap you could pay for it by searching your couch cushions. My kind of hobby.
Rocks In My Dryer 
Those are so ridiculously cute!
Wow! These are gorgeous! Every time I start embroidery, it’s never finished! Well done!
Mom just gave me a BAG of old flour sack towels that Great Gran had made for gifts and had never given. They are still in the bag, pristine white and oh-so-special. I don’t know when I’ll break them out.
And, did you ever write your name on my other grandmother’s table cloth? EVERYONE who ever went to the farm was given a pencil and had to autograph it. she later embroidered the name. It’s pretty darn colorful.
I think you’d also like my mom’s embroidery books. No writting on the fabric- it’s like painting with thread. Grandma Moses only started painting when it was too hard for her hands to embroider, by the way.
I think you’ve mastered this embroidery thing. Now, go give your little Dryers a pencil and a white flour sack… I’m smelling more than one masterpiece!!
Let’s see, can I think of anything else to write?!
Good job!!
Frame them-too pretty to use.
I totally agree about framing them. They’re gorgeous! I want some! However, I know myself well enough to know that I would be frustrated to tears with those itty-btty stitches. I could barely handle cross-stitch, and finally gave that up as a teen. Knitting? Tried this summer.
Someday I hope to have the patience to complete such a lovely work as yours. *sigh*
I think these would make a good contribution to Corrie’s hope chest.
These remind me so much of some that my mom had when I was growing up.
I agree with Jeana. Put the toile on the bottom and put them away for Corrie’s future. Then she can decide whether her little boys or girls put muddy fingerprints on their Grammy’s hard work.
You did a beautiful job. My favorite is the one with the strawberries. Tedious, but lovely.
so adorable! i’ve been wanting to try that… maybe i’ll give it a go when i have some time.
(Long time lurker, first time posting)
You’ve done a great job! I would have never guess that was your first time doing this – you should be proud.
I love your site!
Those turned out beautifully! Frame them!
WOW, great job. I hope my first attempt will go as nicely as yours. I love toile and it is always a nice addition to anything! Frame those puppies, for sure!
Which towel day is your favorite?
Beautiful! I can even picture them side by side as a valance over a window. I think I’d definitely hang them for decorations and not for use.
Those handtowels turned out great! Good work!
I used to embroider and then I found that I never had time so I gave all my supplies away. I kind of miss it.
Adorable. Maybe this will be my next hobby.
Good job Shannon! I agree, Velveeta would spoil them.
Having driven cross Kansas to Colorado many times, I understand how he hit 2 birds without even being told : )
floorplan
oooo, bad grammar. Should read: I understand, without being told, how he could hit …
floorplan
Those are so pretty. I wouldn’t want to use them either. Plus, I’m so anal, if I didn’t have the right one out on the right day, I’d lose my mind 🙂
Lovely. I had never thought to do them all in one color.
My daughter made me a set over the winter, and I don’t want to use them either. They are just to pretty.
Beautiful! Great job. Can I ask, maybe I missed it, did you freehand the designs or were you following a stamped on pattern or copying a picture?
They look great! Congrats on finishing the embriodery.
These so remind me of “grandma’s kitchen towels” or something I would find in an antique shop. Love them!
These are beautiful. You could always leave them in hoops and hang them in the kitchen. I have seen it done and it is too precious! Here is a link for it: http://nested.typepad.com/blog/2007/08/decorating-with.html
fantastic shannon! everytime i embroider it looks like a 6 year old’s work… it’s really embarassing.
Very impressive. I would frame them, but since it took me 3 years to finish my son’s Christmas stocking I am not sure mine is the most objective opinion out there.
Gratifying to know that mine is not the only kitchen that contains Velveeta.
They look great!
They’re beautiful Shannon. I’m impressed that you did them in the car. And I loved your other post with the dresses and Majorette uniforms. We don’t have Majorettes here – so very interesting.
They look great. When I cross-stitch bibs for babies I use Scotch Guard. It helps keep the stains from sticking.
Those are so pretty! They would totally match my kitchen decor. 😉
They look fabulous! Great job! =)
Those are simply beautiful, Shannon.
Absolutely beautiful!
So cute!
They’re adorable!
Would be nice to have them framed, so you can enjoy your work.
I LOVE these! You did a great job!
Beautiful work, Shannon! I vote for toile on the bottom (in box pleats) and used as a window treatment. Then, give them to your daughter when she marries.
I just finished my 3rd set of pillow cases intended as Christmas gifts. 2 sets to go! I’ve loved embroidery since I did my first climbing rose pattern up the side of my black doubleknit bellbottoms, uhhhh, last week…yeah…that’s the ticket… :~D
Those are great! So cute!
Oh! Kitchen towels! Thank goodness. For a minute there I thought you were embroidering “days of the week” underwear. 😉
Seriously, they’re the bomb. Does anybody say that anymore?
Those are beautiful. Does the red bleed when you wash them?
I vote for framing, BTW
I love these. you have inspired me to try some for myself. Thanks!
Those are beautiful!
You should be so proud of the great job you did.
I agree…too pretty to use. 🙂
Lisa
Yikes are you a pro?? Very nice job, I think you should frame them…
These are gorgeous! I’d love to try to make one of them. I’ve never done embroidery before.
Don’t you hate it when you have things that are too pretty to use? I agree with the hope chest comments.
I absolutely LOVE red work. I can’t do needle work at all, but I may have to give this project a try just because yours turned out so fantastic- or maybe I can beg my best girlfriend to do a set for me since she does such a fantastic job with this kind of stuff! Keep up the great work.
Those are soooo pretty! Great work!
Great job! I showed some redwork on my craft blog a few weeks back.
These are awesome! I love them.
Fabulous! Those are amazing. I may be tempted to try a set myself, thanks for the info on where to get the goods.
Okay. I agree that these are beautiful, and in fact, I want some. But if I put that much work into something, I would use it. What good is something if you don’t use it? I’m probably the only one that thinks that way, but there ya go. Maybe you could scotch guard them, to help repel stains. Also, if you got something really bad on them, Amaze might get it out. I say use them.