Hand Towels

[jagger]

So, I recently moved and as I was putting away all my hand towels (first time they were all in one place) I realized that I have waaaaaay too many.  Way too many.  So I thought I'd come on here and ask all you crafty people what the heck to do with them.

They're approximately 18 x 15 inches.  They're all old 'hand-me-downs' from my mom that I got when I moved out.  None of them really match each other; they range in colour from black to red to white (quite a few white) to flowered, etc.  Also there are a few different textures--some are so old they're really nice and soft, while others are a little newer and nubbier (??).

If all else fails, I can always rip 'em up and use them as stuffing for dog beds, but I thought I'd see if more creative minds had better ideas...any thoughts would be appreciated.

TIA!

[lindseyt]

If you have any kids in your life (or you just want some fun bathtime friends), you could make them into washcloth buddies.  Fold the towel in half and cut out a hand puppet shape.  Create an animal, like a dog, pig, cat, duck, etc. by using felt or another sturdy, washable fabric to add ears, noses that you sew on.  Sew on eyes with just thread or even buttons, though that might hurt if someone is washing with it.  Sew the puppet closed.

[BeagleMommy]

I have seen kid's aprons made from old hand towels. I don't recall the details of how, but I remember they used binding tape as the ties. Cut up they make good inners for homemade cloth fitted diapers.
HTH!

[PetitMer]

aww, washcloth buddies sound cute!

I was thinking about making a bunch of these utensil rolls out of my excess hand towels, and use them for my napkins as well, easy to wash with a double use!

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=224805.msg2432210#msg2432210

[bookstorebabe]

Animal shelters always need old towels.
Lining for potholders?

[zenthistle]

Dye them all the same color and make a  beach towel/ quilt with them....

[Shadeweaver]

I am soooo in love with the mitt-cloths that my in-laws always get us from the Netherlands ... so when my towels get a hole or we find a towel at one of the local thrift stores or what ever ... I cut them into rectangles about 18-20 by 6-8 and fold them in half so they are 9-10 inches and sew down the 2 sides leaving the end open.  These are great for bath, dished, general cleaning, and you can put soap in it so it doesn't slip.