Towel Bar Ruffle and Tiebacks

I recently added a new cabinet to my bathroom. The only place for it was under the towel rack. I didn't want to remove the rack, fill the screw holes, and paint so hence the creation of the towel bar ruffle. I also made tiebacks for the curtains in the same fabric. The following photos show the finished projects.

Instructions for Towel Bar Ruffle:

I used 42" wide fabric. The inside measurement of my towel rack is 21" long.

Note: Use the diagram below as a guide.

Step 1-Cut one strip 10-1/2" by width of fabric (selvedge to selvedge). Trim selvedges off.

Step 2-Hem short ends by turning 1/2" to the wrong side twice. Press flat.

Step 3-Fold piece in half legthwise right sides together to create a long tube. Using a 1/4" seam allowance sew the long raw edges together.

Step 4-Turn right side out. Keeping the seam to one side press the tube flat. (You don't want the seam in the middle).

Step 5-Measure and mark 1-5/8" from top and bottom fold. Stitch across the tube at these measurements. These stitching lines make the center rod pocket.

Tieback instructions:

Step 1:Cut one strip 5-1/4" by width of fabric. Trim selvedges off. Cut piece in half crosswise for two pieces approximately 5-1/4" x 21".

Repeat steps 2 through 4 from the Towel Bar Ruffle instructions. Note: I used the blunt end of a knitting needle to turn the tiebacks right side out.

I had so much fun with this as it's a quick project. Wouldn't it be fun to make these in holiday fabrics? A set for Christmas or Holloween, etc?

By the way. This wasn't the only towel bar in my bathroom but if it were I might be tempted to add another one just to be able to decorate it.

Hoping you have fun with this idea.

Happy sewing,

Joan