Turn an old towel into smaller cloths
Terry cloth can become smaller towels, but its newly cut edges need a dependable finish.
Choose the sound areas
Spread out the washed, dry towel. Inspect the center and the areas around old hanging loops. New stitching may not hold where the base fabric has worn thin. Trim isolated pulled loops carefully instead of tugging them. Large bare or brittle patches are not suitable for new utility cloths.
Existing hems can remain as one finished edge. Plan rectangles with paper before cutting. Pieces around 8 inches square are easy to handle, though another size may use the available fabric better. Include the allowance needed for your chosen edge finish.
Cut and remove loose fibers
Use appropriate fabric scissors on a clear surface. Terry releases loose fibers during cutting, so gather them before taking the pieces to the machine. Do not shake them over a freshly cleaned work area. Gentle picking or a soft brush removes loose fluff without pulling more loops.
Finish raw edges with a suitable serged seam or sufficiently wide zigzag. A narrow turned hem is another option but becomes bulky on thick terry. Test a corner with the same layers first. The stitching must catch the base weave rather than merely passing through loose loops.
Several layers meet at a corner. Do not trim too close to the final stitches or the edge may open later. With a turned hem, arrange the folds so their bulkiest point does not also sit over an original towel hem. If the machine cannot feed that transition steadily, change the finishing method. A small cloth is not a reason to force an oversized stack under the presser foot. Testing one corner reveals this before all the edges are sewn.
Judge it after a wash
Wash one sample according to the towel's existing care instructions and inspect its edges. If threads escape, improve the finish before completing the entire batch. A denser stitch is not always better if it perforates worn fabric. A wider stitch or light binding may work more effectively.
Assign the cloths a clear use and keep clean pieces separate from used ones. Small terry squares are absorbent but do not replace specialty cloths on delicate surfaces. Let them dry completely after use. An original hanging loop can be reused on one piece if it remains sound and attaches to a firm area rather than a thin patch. Check that the added seam is comfortable when the cloth is folded in the hand.
