Reusable "paper" towel *update*

Paper towels are one of those things I hate the idea of using but find that they come in handy. I've been mulling this idea over in my head for a handful of weeks now. I want them to function like paper towels but better and washable. I've got a rough idea as to how to get them to roll off a holder like paper ones do and how to get one to follow the the other when you pull it. Right now my focus is on the actual "paper towel". I used a piece of paper as a template (made one of cardboard)...it seemed like a good standard size (seems the actual paper towel size is 11"X11" and that seemed too big). I had a fitted sheet that had no mate, no bed and some small holes that looked like the perfect candidate for this project along with some towels bound for the becoming rags..let the fun begin! *insert evil laugh*

The result:

It's really soft and fluffy feeling :)

It semi-failed. I learned a lot from this prototype.

1. Jersey is not my friend for this project--- cotton will work much better
2. Real hems would look and work much better
3. The towel works great-perfect size
4. A sharpy looks tacky for template marking---need something better (chalk? pencil?)
5. I need two templates, one for the towel innards and one larger for the outsides
6. The size is great, as is the thickness

I'm not happy the edges curled, forgot jersey loves to do that. For a prototype it did its job...on to the next step of making the real thing. I have a  lonely, useless cotton fitted sheet that might work ...we'll see. Stay tuned for the final product and self review.

Update:
I found junk white cotton sheet and took to trying my paper towel again. This time it worked much better.  A little starch and some ironing made my life much easier and saved time. I made the mistake of not sewing the towel down first..I thought sewing the edges first wouldn't make a different..I was wrong. The inner towel slide around when I tried to sew it and bunched up a little...nothing big but it looks messy. I'm still having trouble with the tension and bobbin but other than that I'm happier than I was with the jersey version. I'll just tidy this prototype up.

The edges are much neater and the olive green stripes look nice too,although you can't see them very well.