Peek-a-boo Pin-Up Towel

I think we can all agree that no self-respecting 1940s farmhouse would be complete without an embroidered towel in the kitchen.  For years I've contemplated those Days of the Week sets.  You know the ones with kittens or pigs or silverware doing adorable things like laundry and ironing.  I haven't embroidered for many years, and this project allowed me to dip my toe in the water without committing to seven towels (or the assumption that I would swap out said towels every day).

Over Christmas I came across an article in Country Living's holiday magazine, talking about sprucing up your powder room for guests.  They showcased a few unique hand towels which led me to this. . .

. . . my pin-up girl towel.  I found a piece of tightly woven cotton that I think used to be a duvet cover of some kind (it had snaps and ties along one edge).  Obviously salvaged from another project, it had the perfect blend of worn but not worthless.  I cut a piece 16" x 34".  I hemmed the edges and added red rickrack to the short ends.

The pin-up design I sketched myself.  Her body and posture is loosely based on a Petty pin-up I found, but I changed her hair, dress and added a wooden spoon.  All the embroidery is done using a simple outlining stitch with French knots for eyes.  I make no bones about my skills being exceptional, but they will serve.
 

Now the really fun part of this project was her dress.  I used a piece of 1940s floral and sewed up a skirt which is attached only at the waistline.  A little flip of her skirt reveals her panties underneath!  To make her panties, I laid down a piece of fine mesh netting, embroidered the red stitching over the top to secure it, and trimmed away the excess.

After a bit of searching I found the Apron Lady, EllynAnne Geisel, who contributed her expertise and pieces from her personal collection to the Country Living article on vintage linens.  Go to her blog to see the original 1950s peek-a-boo towel that I was inspired by.  Ms. Geisel has a treasure trove of linens that would make any girl swoon!

For a tour of my kitchen, visit here.

So I suppose I could make another six towels to complete this set, but I have new fabric for kitchen curtains.  That is next up on the To Do List.  My little gal here will have to hold up for more than just Friday!

Join the Farmgirl Blog Hop every Friday!