Do you want to know how to turn a washcloth to a bath mitt? I have the easy peasy DIY that will take less than five minutes to sew.
I’m going to go straight out of the gate and tell y’all that I’m a washcloth user. Some could care less for washcloths and are more of a rub-the-soap-on-type. But not me. I dig the cloths and better yet, I really prefer washcloth mitts. And, since they’re not readily available here, I decided I would go ahead and make my own. Makes perfect sense – there’s a bastion of washcloth colors and patterns out there, I can make my own custom washcloth mitts, no probs, and I decided on these grey ombre ones, and these white ones.
Of course, there’s a good back story with the whole sewing thing….
Way back eight years ago when I decided to write this DIY lifestyle blog, I figured it would be a good idea to invest in a sewing machine. Although I got a D+ in Home Ec sewing (whatever, Mrs. Bonk), I thought that I needed to embrace a straight seam and overcome whatever sewing issues I had. I bought a Singer starter number, and it was perched on the bottom shelf of my design table, with a cover over it.
I did uncover machine last spring and rocked out some curtain panels for our back porch.
And I did manage to hem a pair of pants that’s actually passable.
But no project goes without a hitch, natch. For some reason, I have ZERO retention in the bobbin threading area. Of course on the rare occasion when I pull that sewing machine out, I need to change out the tread, therefore changing the bobbin, yadda, yadda, yadda, I end up on Youtube for what seems like forever. So when I decided to sew these washcloth mitts, it had been long enough (maybe a couple months) I needed to refresh my memory. Again.
Y’all, it wasn’t clicking. The thread has to go in this teeny tiny opening and go around counterclockwise, and it just wasn’t threading. Even with my contacts and a pair of cheaters, I couldn’t find that little opening. I was squinting and asking Mac (who has the best vision ever) to come in and find said teeny opening. All I got from him was a WTH look; one like he had a bazillion other things to do than decipher a sewing machine. So I watched a YouTube video, and would try again. YouTube video, try again. Repeat.
Finally, I don’t even know how I did it, but I got the thing threaded, and turned those washcloths into mitts.
That process was simple: measure (I decided an 8-inch mitt was the perfect size), cut, fold in half and sew on two sides, turn inside out.
So, just to put things in perspective, it took me 4 minutes and 18 seconds to sew six mitts. If you’re one that can thread a bobbin in a blink of an eye, this is the fastest DIY ever. If I didn’t have all that bobbin drama to contend with, I wouldn’t have spent the hour and 10 lookin at YouTube.
Eye roll emoji.
Seriously, this is an easy peasy DIY, and you get custom washcloth mitts to boot.
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Leslie Watkins says
Bless your heart. I wish I had been there to sit beside you. From this retired home economics teacher, you would have gotten an A+. I love the genius idea and they look perfect. Thanks for the inspiration! I’ll give this a try! Meanwhile, see if you can find a local extension office or JoAnn’s or sewing shop and refresh that creativity! You will love it!!
Brooke Fedigan says
You know what – I think I will look into sewing lessons. I do really want to be a better sew-er.
Liselotte says
We were destined to meet- that’s all I use! Whenever I go
to the Netherlands I stock up on these as that’s what I grew up with. I did manage to find some online a few years ago, but I do love the ones from home. If we ever get to travel again, I will bring you some.
Brooke Fedigan says
Girl, we are like two peas in a pod!
Melissa says
No idea what a bobbin is but I enjoyed the story
Brooke Fedigan says
Believe me, you’re not missing out on not knowing what a bobbin is. :/