How to Sew a Super Absorbent & Large Dish Drying Mat

About six years ago, a good friend gifted me a homemade oversized dish drying mat. We had no idea that mat would sit by our sink almost every day for year after year. Our drying mat has been looking quite disheveled, stained, and haphazard. It was time for a new one.

(All the printed fabrics above are hard to find. The white is Kona Cotton White.)

This tutorial is extremely simple and can be completed in under an hour. This drying mat also makes a great inexpensive gift or stocking stuffer for some special ones in your life!

1. Cut seven strips of fabric measuring four inches by eighteen inches. (Click here to view a tutorial on squaring and cutting your fabric.)

2. Sew all seven strips of fabric together to make one giant rectangle. I ironed all my seams open.

3. Lay your pieced strips face down on some terry cloth. (I use this terry cloth for a super absorbent layer, but for a project like this, a non micro-fiber terry cloth would work too.)

4. Trim around the terry cloth. Then sew around the perimeter of your dish mat, BUT LEAVE A SMALL HOLE FOR FLIPPING IT RIGHT SIDE OUT.

See the small hole I left.

5. Using that tiny little hole (about three inches), carefully tuck the inside of the dish mat out through the hole. This will turn it right side out.

6. Using your seams as a guide, sew about an eighth of an inch on either side of your seams. This will prevent the two pieces for ballooning (pulling apart) in the wash or as you use your dish mat.

7. Once you’ve stitched down both sides of each seam, pin the little hole shut. Tuck the fabric and terry cloth in carefully, and pin it.

8. Sew around the perimeter of your dish mat. This will sew the hole shut and secure all the stitches at each seam.

Below is what your stitching should look like.

And now you have the cutest little grandma to keep you company while doing your dishes. 🙂

Where are my favorite places to purchase fabric?

Fresh Modern Fabrics – large variety of fabrics with many prints.
Morgan Kelly Quilts – a great place for fabric bundles. Since she doesn’t carry a high selection of fabric, it’s a good shop to browse if you’re overwhelmed easily.
Sew Organic – excellent experience with customer service & all organic fabrics.
Field and Cloth – perfectly curated selection of rich and textured fabrics.
Kiwi Fabric – wide variety of many fabrics. Fast shipping.
Fabric.com – great when buying multiple yards for backing.
Polka Dot Secrets – lots of florals and real pictures of the fabrics.

Here’s a better picture of the super thick and plush micro-fiber terry cloth I use for projects like this, but I think your normal standard terry cloth would work just great. It may not be quite as absorbent but just as cute. 🙂

 (Please note that affiliate links were used in this post.)

19 thoughts on “How to Sew a Super Absorbent & Large Dish Drying Mat

  1. Ok, Kelli. Your drying mat is just what the cook ordered!! Mine has so many spots that it looks dirty all the time, even when it’s clean. I love the one you made and your fabric choices. I will definitely be making one. Would you recommend washing the cotton fabric first? Also, would you mind reposting the link for the absorbent layer? The link I tried goes to a general page for fabric.com. Thanks again for a great idea and easy pattern!

    1. Hi Alicea! Thanks for letting me know the link was broken! So, I used a micro fiber terry cloth very similar to this one:

      https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-7857394-14470513?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fabric.com%2Fbuy%2F0681275%2Fstof-france-bambino-micro-terry-cloth-toweling-blanc

      And it is super absorbent and thick. It’s plush. The less expensive terry cloth is less absorbent but I’ve enjoyed it for some projects too. I’ve even cut up an older towel for the backs of some of my drying mats. These options are much less expensive than the micro-fiber. 🙂

      Here’s the ‘normal’ terry cloth: https://www.tkqlhce.com/click-7857394-14470513?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fabric.com%2Fbuy%2Ftcr-004%2Fterry-cloth-white

  2. Hi Kelli,
    I love the dish mat and would like to make my own. I have lots of terry towels was wondering what type of material you use for the top piece. I’m thinking it should also be absorbent. Help please I love florals and would love to find the right material for the project.
    Thanks for the idea, Lyn

  3. Would you think a layer of PUL would be useful on the bottom side of the mat ?. This way the counter wouldn’t get wet …

    1. Hi MaryBeth! Great suggestion. I’ve never used PUL before but I could see it being useful in a case like this. Would it prevent the mat from drying all the way between use?

  4. Just found this and am intrigued on making a mat of my own. Do you think just an old terry cloth towel that is to ragged to use for after a shower but still to good to throw away would do? I have a couple of these and this pattern is so easy. I looked at the material on Amazon you used but it is a little to rich for my pocketbook. Thanx in advance for your thoughts/reply.

    1. Hi Cheryl, I think an old cloth towel would be perfect for this project! I’m sure there would still be plenty of absorbency left in your towel. What a great way to upcycle and save money!

  5. This is a great idea, never thought to make my own. Plus as an added bonus I might be able to practice sewing a straight line, as I have the crooked ones perfected….hehehe

  6. Oh my gosh! I never thought to do this for myself. I saw your instagram post but it just hit me! I always have a towel for hands and one to the left of our sink for drying/unloading. I need to make pretty ones to match my decor!! My towels match but this is so fun! I think I’ll wait until after I move though… thanks for the idea!

    1. Hi Kristin! You know how to make me smile. Your comments are always so encouraging. 🙂 We ALWAYS have the big dish mat to the side of the sink, and life is much better when it’s a cute one. If you make one, be sure to let me know! Good luck on the move!

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