These DIY tea towels are the perfect gift idea! Easily customize these towels with your design to give to friends and family. Use your Cricut machine to make your own stenciled flour sack dish towels in minutes!
How To Stencil DIY Tea Towels With A Cricut
Grab a few flour sack towels at your local store to get started. I actually purchased mine from Walmart and love them. We have a few options for stenciling on your DIY tea towels but you can use this same method with any design you like.
If you’ve ever wanted the perfect handmade gift, this is it! This would be so cute as a housewarming gift, birthday present, or even for a wedding shower.
These add just the right amount of farmhouse style. Plus, you can customize them with any design or quote you like!
Supplies Needed To Make DIY Tea Towel
- Flour Sack Towels (prewashed)
- Cricut Machine (click here to see which is my favorite)
- Vinyl (stencil vinyl or any vinyl color that you have on hand) – You can also use contact paper as well.
- Transfer tape
- Fabric Paint
- Iron or EasyPress
- Sponge or foam brush
- Cut file (if you want to make towels like mine)
- If you are looking for more design options, you can check out the designs below!
NOTE: Always wash your items before applying any design.
Step 1: Cut Design With Cricut
First, use your Cricut to design and cut your towel stencil. You can use stencil vinyl, regular vinyl in any color, or even contact paper. Since you are throwing it out, the color does not matter. Here is my vinyl after it was cut with the Cricut. Be sure to size the design to fit your towel before cutting.
Remove the unwanted areas of your stencil with your hands or a weeding tool.
Step 2: Apply Transfer Tape
Then, apply the transfer tape to your design. Some stencils may not need transfer tape, but you will definitely need it if you have any small pieces. Press the tape down well and eliminate as many air bubbles as possible.
Step 3: Add Vinyl Stencil To Tea Towel
Remove the vinyl liner and apply it to your towel. Burnish it down well.
Carefully remove your transfer tape and you are left with your stencil.
Step 4: Paint Stencil
To paint the stencil, apply fabric ink using a sponge or foam brush. I used a sponge to apply black ink to this design.
Also, it’s important to note that the sponge will give your stenciled dish towel a more distressed look, while the foam brush will give it a more polished look.
Allow your project to dry completely before removing the vinyl stencil.
I made this towel with a row of jars using the same steps.
Step 5: Remove Stencil From Tea Towel
Once dry, remove your stencil to reveal the magic underneath. Be sure to iron your design to heat set it before using or washing it. You can use a regular iron or the Cricut EasyPress for this. For this step, follow all instructions on the back of your fabric ink.
You are left with a completely customized stenciled DIY tea towel, which makes the perfect handmade gift. Can you see one for Dad with a bar-be-que grill?
This option below would be the perfect gift for someone who loves mason jars!
Let your imagination run wild! So be sure to start making your own DIY stenciled dish towel today. Plus, these make a fabulous handmade gift for just about anyone.
I love to use my Cricut for stenciling projects, so this one is right up my alley!
Are you going to make a stenciled DIY tea towel? Or maybe a dozen?
FAQs About DIY Tea Towels
If you have questions about these DIY tea towels, I have answers! Please leave your question for me in the comments if you don’t see it answered below!
What Cricut Machine Do You Recommend For This Project?
Since you are using vinyl to create the stencil, you can technically use any Cricut machine for this project!
The Cricut Maker, Explore series, Joy, Joy Xtra, and Venture can all cut vinyl. The only thing to remember is that each Cricut machine is different regarding project size capabilities. So, that is something to be mindful of when choosing your tea towel/design.
Do You Have Other Cricut Stencil Resources?
Yes, I do! If you have never made a stencil with your Cricut and are looking for more resources, check out the blog posts below!
- How To Make A Stencil With A Cricut
- A Cricut Stencil Vinyl for Every Machine
- The Best Material for Making Stencils on a Cricut
I Do Not Have A Cricut. Can I Make These DIY Tea Towels In Another Way?
Yes! Instead of making a stencil with your Cricut, you can use a premade one.
Also, if you want another way to make a stencil, check out our How To Make A Freezer Paper Stencil blog post!
Where Can I Find Flour Stack Towels?
As I mentioned before, I found my flour stack towels at Walmart. However, if you can’t find them at Walmart (online or in stores), you can also find them on other websites like Amazon.
Can I Use Acrylic Paint For This Project Instead?
No! For this project, you will want to use fabric paint because it is designed for fabrics, it’s flexible (not stiff), and it can be washed.
6 More Handmade Gift Ideas
Did you love these DIY tea towels, and are looking for more handmade gift ideas? Then check out the projects below!
- Tractor Applique Pillow
- DIY Modern Tree Art
- Over 60 Handmade Gifts for Kids (a gift guide)
- Custom Photo Charm Bracelet
- Banana Dark Chocolate Mix in a Jar
- Stenciled Tissue Cover
Also, don’t miss our Handmade Gift Gallery Page if you want to see even more handmade gift ideas!
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I’ll figure out a way to make these towels. Have lots of stencils so will fake it and make do. Now if Walmart or wherever will have the towels. Also have lots of plastic templates with lots of shapes, about time I used them. Where there’s a will there’s a way. Happy crafting
I do not have a circuit. Can I do these towels another way?
You can try finding a premade stencil that you like.