For a superquick project, use prehemmed tea towels (available at home stores) and embellish with a single strip of fabric. This version, using yardage from the fabric store and a patchwork-pieced embellishment, doesn't take much more time. Vary the sizes and positioning of the patchwork strips for endless variations on the theme.

You need:
10 pieces printed cotton or cotton/linen blend, each 6 cm (2-1/2 inches) square (or desired size)
1 piece cotton tea towelling, 50.5 x 76 cm (20 x 30 inches)
Thread to match
Pins
Acrylic ruler, self-healing cutting mat and rotary cutter

Take a look at a larger image of the finished tea towel.

To make:
1. Using 6 mm (1/4-inch) seam allowance, sew fabric squares together to form 47 cm (18-1/2-inch) strip. Press seam allowances open. Along each long edge, fold 6 mm (1/4 inch) to wrong side and press.

2. Centre patchwork strip across 1 short end of tea towelling, approx 10 cm (4 inches) from edge, using quilting ruler to ensure strip is level. Pin in place along one long edge.

3. Using narrow zigzag stitch, machine-appliqué patchwork strip to tea towel along pinned edge. Remove pins, press, and pin other long edge. Repeat machine appliqué on second edge. (Or, if desired, stitch by hand.)

4. Fold edges of tea towelling 6 mm (1/4 inch) to wrong side and press; repeat. Hem.

This story was originally titled "Giving Thanks" in the October 2011 issue. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!

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