No longer the HUMBLE Tea towel

They entered the domestic world as utilitarian items. Their purpose was to assist with the cleaning and drying of delicate crockery in the kitchen. They have evolved!


The TEA TOWEL is no longer humble!

A tea towel (British English) or dish towel (American English) is a cloth which is used to dry dishes, cutlery, etc., after they have been washed. In 18th century England, a tea towel was a special linen drying cloth used by the mistress of the house to dry her precious and expensive china tea things. Servants were considered too ham-fisted to be trusted with such a delicate job, although housemaids were charged with hand-hemming the woven linen when their main duties were completed. Tea towels have been mass-produced since the Industrial Revolution.

While I could understand that the tea towel is an important part of hygiene in the kitchen and therefore a valid item to sell online, I was amazed at how many personal Blogs contain space to pay homage to the Tea Towel.

DesigningMoms  

Flower Press  

Luxxury Livving

Creature Comforts    

Fresh Design     

Trend Bible

Marimekko Blog

Tea towels have become works of art – pieces worthy of framing and decorating homes. Tea towels are brilliant for re-purposing: On Etsy I have seen shopping bags, jewellery, aprons, watch bands, peg bags, kids’ toys, trivets and a whole lot more made from tea towels.

There are collectors who have 100s of tea towels they have gathered from all over the world – either representing their travels or their yearning to see the world through a variety of kitchenalia. In my travels I have often been enchanted by the local images represented on tea towels but never through of this as anything other than a practical item. Since researching for this post, I will now check out my unused tea towels and identify which ones are worthy of featuring!

Tea towels come in a variety of fabrics. Collector Tea Towels are usually made from the finest linens while those tea towels most widely used are made of towelling for maximum absorbency.

How Tea-towels are used in Commercial Kitchens provides an interesting insight into the purpose and use of the tea towel. Research shows that while the tea towel remains just as popular in kitchens today, their reuse should be monitored. Ensure that tea towels are laundered appropriately; provide sufficient changes of dish cloths and tea towels to ensure that these can be rotated when laundering becomes necessary;

I like to give tea towels as gifts but not as the main game but as the wrapping. There are so many beautiful tea towels to be found and they make wonderful, practical wrappers for a gift or any occasion.