This month was another one when I finally got round to making something that I’ve had in mind for a while. Actually, the thing that was holding me back was the fact that my overlocker was not on my work table and I was too lazy to get it out for just one project. However, because there ended up being several items that I needed it for and all of them required white thread, so I had to re-thread it anyway, there was no excuse not to get on with this particular make.
Because my hair is long and I always let it dry naturally, I’m a big fan of wrapping it in a head towel after washing. I’ve only ever owned three of these – one I lost and the other two are showing signs of wear. My favourite is an organic cotton one that I’ve had for about 10 years and that I really, really wanted to clone. Being extremely reluctant to buy new, I unearthed a towel that belonged to my grandmother (she died about 25 years ago) that was a bit tatty, but still looked like it had some life in it. When it was bought is was baby pink… all these years later it’s white with a hint of pink, but that’s ok.
So, I started off by placing my head towel on the old towel and drawing around it. Them I folded the towel over and pinned the two layers together
Marked up and ready to cut
Next,I cut around the shape away from the line (an overlocker trims the fabric as well as stitching it) before overlocking the two pieces together along the long curved side. Oh, and one of you might recognise that pincushion!
I overlocked the opening, all the way round, then turned a hem and stitched it using my sewing machine, inserting a loop of scrap tape that was left over from mending a baseball cap belonging to Mr Snail. Finally, I added a button from my button box (one with a shank, as I thought that would hold the loop more securely).
And there you have it…
A new head towel made entirely from bits and bobs I had hanging around the house (please excuse the poor selfies… I’m not very good at taking them and Mr Snail is away).
And the trimmings from the overlocker didn’t get thrown away… I used them to tie my chilli plants to their supports:
-oOo-
I’ve been inspired to write this (and future) ScrapHappy posts by Kate, Tall Tales from Chiconia. On the fifteenth of every month lots of other folks often publish a ScrapHappy post, do check them out:
Kate, Gun, Titti, Heléne, Eva, Sue, Nanette, Lynn, Lynda,
Birthe, Turid, Susan, Cathy, Debbierose, Tracy, Jill, Claire, Jan (me), Karen,
Moira, Sandra, Linda, Chris, Nancy, Alys, Kerry, Claire, Jean, Johanna,
Joanne, Jon, Hayley, Dawn, Gwen, Connie, Bekki and Sue
If you fancy joining, contact Kate and she’ll add you to the list. It would be lovely to see more non-sewing posts, but any use of scraps is welcome.
The Snail of Happiness 
arlingwoman
/ August 15, 2019I am always in admiration of your skills and creativity. I like this one a lot, as I am a fan of hair towels as well as tying up plants that need it!
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katechiconi
/ August 15, 2019Being a fan of go-faster hair, I have never had the need to use one of these, but I do admire the ingenuity of constructing a new one from an old towel!
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CarolCooks2
/ August 15, 2019I love your thinking I have never thought of using scraps to tie my plants…I love the head towel although my hair is short and quick to dry so I have no need but it would make a lovely little homemade present for a few people I know and a good use for those towels which are too good to throw away…:)
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Nice Piece of Work
/ August 15, 2019Some very creative recycling going on over there!
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Wild Daffodil
/ August 15, 2019Great idea.
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tialys
/ August 15, 2019I don’t know what I find most amazing, your reborn 25 year old tatty towel or the fact that you’d kept it all these years. 😄
Your selfies are lovely – I never know where to point the phone if I try and end up looking like a head on a stick or the world’s oldest woman.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ August 15, 2019I had a pile of these towels and over the years they have got used for various jobs… lots of dog-drying, emergency towels in the car etc. I think this was the last one that had remained in relatively good condition. I think there’s enough left to make another head towel too.
And thank-you for your kind words about my selfies… you should have seen the ones I rejected!
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quietwatercraft
/ August 15, 2019I love that you even managed to use the scraps from your scraps!
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nanacathy2
/ August 15, 2019Brilliant and oh so practical, and much nicer for you to have that towel than turn it into a dog towel. I just wrap an old towel round my head turban style, then use the hair drier for a couple of minutes, otherwise my hair would be full of kinks.
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KerryCan
/ August 15, 2019These projects always amaze me–you, more than anyone I know, are truly committed to “use it up.” And this is such a practical example of that!
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Laurie Graves
/ August 15, 2019As we Mainers might say, by gum and by gory you’re creative. Love the selfie pictures and how the towel looks like a turban. Also, I’m with Kerry. You inspire me to “use it up.”
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The Snail of Happiness
/ August 15, 2019I’m really pleased with how this particular project turned out. Without the overlocker it would have been more difficult, but I am lucky to have the right tools.
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AJ
/ August 15, 2019You are great at using what you have:)
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dezertsuz
/ August 16, 2019What a clever idea! I’d probably make a mess of wrapping it on my head, and I cut my hair last year, but I have a lot of friends who have long hair still. I love that the trimmings were used as chili ties … and that you have chilis growing!
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Helen
/ August 17, 2019I’ve certainly got plenty of scraps to use up… could do plenty of retrospective posts about things I’ve made but right now I’m trying to hunt down a half-made bag which I want to remake into a better design. I swear my house eats things.
Anyway, it’s great that your grandmother’s towel is getting a second life in its new form. Love the ties for vegetables!
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Chocoviv
/ August 20, 2019How creative!!
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deborah @ the magic jug
/ August 26, 2019Really inspiring! I’m still working towards resuming sewing – mainly by working my way through the backlog of mending jobs. Most of which of course turn out to be much quicker to do in reality than in fantasy.
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Tracy @ It's a T-Sweets Day!
/ September 15, 2019Now that is a smart use of scraps!!! I didn’t even know there was a pattern for a hair towel. I just love it. AND you are using the ties as well! Great job:)❤️❤️
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coachkanikafindingabetteryou
/ September 18, 2019Very inspiring and beautifully penned
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 10, 2019Thank you!
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