Recycle a 100% Cotton Candlewick or Chenille Bedspread into Handtowels with this easy sewing and upcycle project.
Several years ago, we owned a small, but very charming lake house here in North Carolina. The purchase of the lake house was a spur of the moment decision, which is truly a little out of character for us. But, given the last-minute nature of it, we found ourselves scurrying around to outfit it.
Several of our friends and family members gifted furniture, artwork, dishes, linens and many other items that helped make our little cottage a home. One of the many items ‘gifted’ by my parents was an old Candlewick bedspread. I can’t remember ever seeing this bedspread in any of the homes we lived in during my childhood, so I’m not sure where it came from.
It had clearly seen better days, with several spots that looked like rust sprinkled across it. In any event, when we sold the lake house, 5 years ago, the bedspread found its way to my attic. I go through my attic periodically (not frequently-periodically though) and each time I considered the fate of the stained candlewick bedspread, I found I just couldn’t dispose of it.
While I am using a candlewick bedspread for my handtowels, you could just as easily recycle a Chenille Bedspread, as long as it is 100% cotton.
Candlewicking became popular towards the end of the 18th century, around the time of the invention of the cotton gin. It’s an embroidery technique done on 100-percent cotton muslin, which has not been preshrunk.
The candlewick fabric is washed after stitching as the shrinking of the muslin will not only hold the knots, but it also will cause the embroidered stitches to pop. Traditionally, the same material used as wicks of candles is what was used to do the embroidery. The fringe that finishes Candlewicking bedspreads is another characteristic of traditional candle wicking.
I’m not sure what prompted me to think of this upcycle project, but I’m sure glad my crafting kismet angel suggested it! I really love these in my guest bathroom and am so happy that I was able to recycle this candlewick bedspread instead of disposing of it.
The fringe on the bedspread was my favorite thing about the bedspread, so I wanted to use that trim as trim for my hand towels as well. However, I found that the scattered rust spots made it hard to find a piece that had the trim, but without the rust. So…I did what any crafty gal would do, I removed the fringe and reattached it to pieces from the bedspread that were not stained.
Removing the fringe from your candlewick or chenille bedspread will be the most time-consuming part of this project, but one easily accomplished in front of a good movie. I did find that the hand towel had more oomph to it when the candlewick fabric was doubled. As such, I sewed two pieces of the candlewick together and then sewed the fringe on the bottom.
The finished hand towel is 14″ by 29″ with the fringe. I added 1/2″ to each side when I cut the material, so I cut 2 15″ by 30″ pieces.
This one bedspread made quite a few hand towels, so I was more than happy to gift some of them without diminishing my own stash. Paired with a pretty basket, a bar of soap or pretty soap dish, these hand towels make a perfect gift.
Have a favorite item that you’ve upcycled? I’m always looking for good ideas, so please share it.
Bookmark this page or pin the following image to refer back to this Upcycle Project! You never know when you’ll want to recycle a chenille bedspread or a candlewick bedspread!
Please know that I welcome each and every comment that comes my way.
Hi there, I’m Lynn and I’m in my happy place when cooking, baking, creating, crafting, diy-ing or gardening. You too? Hey, we should be friends! You can reach me at [email protected] and read more about me here.
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Gail Buckenara
May 12, 2015 at 6:31 pmWhat a great idea and what a stylish way to decorate. Guests must feel pampered beyond belief when using these towels as they seem too good to use!!
lynn
May 12, 2015 at 7:39 pmThanks Gail. I really like them because they are just a little different, but still get the job done!
Pamela Smith
July 6, 2015 at 2:00 pmVery nice! These really add some cottage charm to your bathroom. I love that you used something, even though it was a little damaged, and the history behind it is wonderful!
lynn
July 15, 2015 at 3:21 pmThanks Pamela! I do love them and love that they are different.
Mary Venditti
September 25, 2015 at 1:51 amThis was a great upcycle, I love finding nee eays to repurpose things. Thank you for your creativity.
lynn
September 25, 2015 at 6:32 amMary, I also love to repurpose…always looking for new ways to use old things.Thanks for visiting and for taking the time to jot me a note. I truly appreciate it.?
Lynn
Chellie
February 19, 2016 at 6:02 pmLynn, this is brilliant! This post brought back memories… My parents had a bedspread like that when I was growing up.. I didn’t remember that until I read this. And come to think of it, I really don’t think I’ve seen it elsewhere either. Love what you did with it! Thanks for linking up with FTAF!!
lynn
February 20, 2016 at 4:30 pmThanks Chellie! I am so glad I was able to repurpose this old bedspread. When I was cleaning the attic last month I came across what is left of it after I made a bunch of handtowels. Not sure why i’m still holding on to it…just can’t trash it! Hugs and wishes for a great weekend, Lynn
Kristina & Millie
February 21, 2016 at 2:46 pmwhat a great idea! I love fringe too and that would be such a cool way to dress up a few towels!
lynn
February 24, 2016 at 8:33 pmThanks! The fringe really makes these something special…I so agree. And its fun to repurpose something! Thanks again for stopping by Hugs, Lynn
Monica
May 24, 2016 at 12:16 amLooks like I will be stocking the estate sales for a bed spread. I know I have donated many of these throughout the years. Incredibly beautiful project!!!
lynn
May 24, 2016 at 8:15 pmHi Monica…estate sales would be a great place to find some old bedspreads! I might actually look for another one to make more for gifts. Thanks for swinging by today, Hugs, Lynn
Susan
July 6, 2016 at 10:51 amLove candlewicking!! I have done some of it in the past. Love doing it and love the way it looks. So glad you recycled it!! Lots of work goes into it
lynn
July 7, 2016 at 9:15 pmHi Susan, I have never done the actual candlewicking…I’m quite impressed that you have done it yourself! And I am glad to have upcycled this bedspread as opposed to trashing it.
So appreciate you stopping by today.
Hugs, Lynn
Shirley
July 6, 2016 at 2:17 pmWow! At first I thought you’d made a throw cover, but the towels are so unique.
lynn
July 7, 2016 at 9:17 pmThanks Shirley! These towels are used daily in our bathroom and really are a unique twist on a normal hand towel. I so appreciate you swinging by today. Wishing you a great weekend.
Hugs, Lynn
Libby Grundstrom
July 6, 2016 at 7:07 pmWhat an excellent idea!!!! Loved hearing about the making of candle wicking. I bet they are great, absorbent towels. Thank you for the idea.
lynn
July 7, 2016 at 9:19 pmHi Libby…Thanks for the compliment! The towels are very absorbent and perfectly unique! I love it when I’m able to translate an idea into reality and have it turn out as well as I had hoped.
So appreciate you swinging by today and wishing you a lovely weekend.
Hugs, Lynn
Natasha
July 7, 2016 at 12:25 amGreat job, Lynn. How enterprising of you.
I love the artwork in the bathroom. Whats that oil looking liquid with the sticks in it?
Much love from India. Perhaps I’ll get to visit your pretty lake house in another life.
lynn
July 7, 2016 at 9:23 pmHi Natasha…Thanks for you kind compliments. The jar with the oil and sticks in it is a reed diffuser…for aromatherapy! And sadly we don’t have our lake house anymore! 🙁
Cheryl Streeter
July 7, 2016 at 9:37 amGreat idea – I love the clean, yet soft feel/look of these towels. I love chenille bedspreads as well – must date back to childhood or something. Keep up the ideas! Regards, Cheryl
lynn
July 7, 2016 at 9:24 pmHi Cheryl…thanks for the compliment. I do love the towels and how unique they are. You might be able to use chenille the same way. And I agree that there is some definite nostalgia associate with bedspreads like these. So appreciate you swinging by today! Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs, Lynn
Donna
October 25, 2018 at 12:14 amI have two of these old bedspreads and was looking for a craft I could make with them that I would actually use in my home. These towels are perfect, Thank you for sharing your idea.
Donna
lynn
October 26, 2018 at 2:30 pmHey Donna…
I’m a little jealous that you have some old bedspreads! Have you also considered pillows? And I’ve seen some adorable pumpkins made from Candlewick bedspreads too.
Happy Crafting my friend.
Shirley
March 17, 2019 at 8:17 amWhat a great idea. I need to look around & see if I can find one of those spreads. I could make the towels & gift them to my girls.Shirley
lynn
March 17, 2019 at 8:36 amHi Shirley,
I have to tell you, that is one of my favorite projects. Five years later and we are still using those handtowels in our guest bathroom…I love using them and get so many compliments on them as well.
I do think you should have luck finding them in thrift stores…just need to keep your eyes open.
Thanks for writing in my friend.
Have a fantastic day,
Hugs,
Erin
May 2, 2019 at 10:54 amOmgosh, I’ve got one of those bedspreads, too!! Mine has a few repaired rips and a rust stain, too. At present, it’s hidden beneath another blanket up at the cottage. I do believe that this bedspread will see the same transformation. Thanks for the inspiration.
lynn
May 3, 2019 at 6:09 amOh Erin, pull that sweet bedspread out and have fun! I still have some bits of mine left too…think I may make a few pillows. Have fun upcycling my friend!
Hugs, Lynn
Margaret A Burns
February 2, 2020 at 5:10 pmI love your idea and have a candlewick bedspread with rust too. Did you sew the fringe on both sides of the towel or sandwich it in between?
Thanks,
Margaret
lynn
February 2, 2020 at 6:59 pmHi Margaret…so imagine that I just cut a square piece of the bedspread, with fringe at one of the edges. Then I folded it in half, such that the fringe was still at the bottom and sewed it closed. I then ran a seam along the fringe end, just above the fringe, so basically it is fringed on both sides. Does that make sense?
Kelly
August 10, 2021 at 5:28 amI used one to recover an antique rocker seat…looks great in my spare room
lynn
August 11, 2021 at 9:44 amWhat a great idea! I am sure it looks lovely. I still have some of that bedspread left and you’ve given me another project idea.
Have a great day, Kelly.
Hugs,
Lynn