Okay, so I’ve been wanting to do something special with my grandma’s handwritten recipes for, like, ever. I finally decided to put them on kitchen towels! It seemed like a pretty cool way to preserve them and have them around all the time, not just tucked away in a box.
Getting Started
First, I gathered all the recipe cards. Some were super old and faded, others were on random scraps of paper. I picked out a few of my favorites – her famous apple pie, the chocolate chip cookies everyone loves, and that weird but delicious casserole she always made.
Prepping the Recipes
Next, I needed to get these recipes ready to print. I took pictures of each one with my phone. I made sure the lighting was good and the writing was clear. Then I put on a TV show and got cozy, cause I knew this would take time.
I opened the photos on my computer and cropped them down to just the recipe part. Some of the writing was pretty faint, so I messed with the brightness and contrast to make it darker. It wasn’t perfect, but it looked good enough.
Choosing the Towels and Transfer Paper
I went online and ordered some plain white kitchen towels. I figured white would be the best for showing off the writing. I also got some special iron-on transfer paper for fabric. I made sure to get the kind for light-colored fabrics since my towels were white.
Printing and Ironing
This was the moment of truth! I followed the instructions on the transfer paper. I had to print the recipes in reverse, which felt super weird. I used my regular inkjet printer, and it worked fine.
Once they were printed, I carefully cut around each recipe, leaving a little bit of a border. Then, I placed the transfer paper face down on the towel, got my iron nice and hot (no steam!), and ironed it on. It took a few minutes for each one, and I pressed down really hard to make sure it stuck.
The Big Reveal
After letting it cool for a bit, I peeled off the backing paper, and…it worked! The recipes were on the towels! They looked a little vintage-y, which I actually loved. It totally matched the vibe of the old handwriting.
Final Touches (and a Few Oopsies)
I noticed a couple of spots where the transfer didn’t stick perfectly, so I went back over those with the iron. One of the towels I may have pressed a little too long, so that area is stiffer than the others. But hey, it’s handmade, right? Adds character!
Overall, I’m super happy with how these turned out. They’re a fun, personal touch for my kitchen, and they make me think of my grandma every time I use them. I’m already planning to make more as gifts!
