Harvest Cross-Stitch

These towels will look stunning in a guest bath. Repeat the pattern to make a longer band for large towels.

Guest towels always come in handy.

• 1 yard of 2-inch-wide white 16-count Aida cloth banding with sage green edging
• Cotton embroidery floss in the colors listed in the key (see Step 1)
• Size 24 or 26 tapestry needle
• 2 hand towels
• White sewing thread or clear nylon thread

1. Download the free pattern and color key. (Downloading requires Adobe Acrobat software.) Note: This pattern is the same as the "Count Your Pumpkins" sampler. Use the top or bottom border from the sampler chart to create the pumpkin-bordered towels.

Pumpkin-Bordered Towels pattern

Download Adobe Acrobat

2. Prepare the fabric. Cut the banding into two 18-inch lengths, then zigzag-stitch the cut ends of the banding to prevent fraying.

3. Stitch the design. Center and stitch the top or the bottom border from the sampler chart on one of the banding lengths. Use two strands of floss to work the cross-stitches. Stitch the other border on the second length of banding in the same manner.

4. Iron the fabric. Place the finished stitcheries facedown on a soft towel and carefully press from the back.

5. Attach stitched pieces to towels. Position and pin one stitched banding piece onto the hand towel near the bottom (we used the woven band near the bottom of our terry towels as a guide for placement). Turn under the narrow ends 1/2 inch and pin to the back of the hand towel. Sew the stitchery to the towel along the top and bottom edges. Attach the other stitched band to the other towel.