Handwoven Organic Cotton Tea Towels woven on a Louet floor loom
 
A handwoven tea towel is a different thing from a printed one. The pattern in this cloth is not applied to the surface - it is built into the structure of the weave itself, with each colour thread interlacing with the others to create a design that runs through the full thickness of the fabric. Emma Baker weaves these tea towels on a floor loom in her Salisbury studio using organic GOTS certified, unmercerised cotton, following a traditional  8-shaft weave structure.
 
The result is a tea towel that is genuinely absorbent, durable, and built to improve with washing - a practical object made with the same care and skill that goes into Emma’s scarves and snoods.
 
The Colours
Available in two colourways - navy and white, and navy and orange. Both are woven from the same organic cotton on the same warp, with the colour difference created by the weft thread. Select your preferred option from the dropdown before adding to your basket.
 
Why Unmercerised Cotton?
Unmercerised cotton has not been treated with the chemical process (mercerisation) that gives many modern cotton fabrics their smooth, shiny appearance. Untreated cotton retains its natural surface texture, which makes it significantly more absorbent than mercerised alternatives - an important quality in a tea towel. It also softens further with each wash, becoming more effective over time rather than less.
 
The Inkle-Woven Hanging Loop
Each tea towel is finished with a hemmed edge and a hanging loop woven on an inkle loom - a small, specialised loom used to create narrow bands and braids. The loop is woven in a coordinating colour to match the tea towel, making it a considered finishing detail rather than an afterthought. It means the towel can be hung neatly from a hook or oven rail without folding or clipping.
 
Dimensions
Each tea towel measures 40cm x 58cm - a standard tea towel size, large enough for practical kitchen use.
 
A Housewarming or Wedding Gift Worth Giving
This tea towel sits in a strong position for gifting - distinctive enough to feel special, practical enough to be used every day. It is particularly well suited as a housewarming or wedding gift, either alone or paired with other pieces from the homeware range. It is sent in Emma’s branded packaging, making it ready to give straight away.
 
Frequently Asked Questions
 
What is unmercerised cotton?
Mercerisation is a chemical treatment that gives cotton a smooth, glossy finish and slightly increases its strength. Unmercerised cotton skips this process, retaining the natural texture of the cotton fibre. For a tea towel, this matters: unmercerised cotton is more absorbent than its treated equivalent, and becomes softer and more absorbent with repeated washing.
 
Will a handwoven cotton tea towel shrink in the wash?
All-natural cotton fabrics can shrink slightly on first wash if they have not been pre-washed. Emma’s tea towels are washed after weaving as part of the finishing process, so significant shrinkage on first use is unlikely. Wash at 40°C or below and avoid tumble drying to maintain the dimensions.
 
What is an 8-shaft weave structure?
An 8-shaft loom has eight independently controlled sets of warp threads. More shafts allow for more complex interlacing sequences, which means a greater variety of patterns and textures are possible. A “straight draw” 8-shaft structure threads the shafts in a simple sequence, producing a clean, geometric surface pattern with good drape and durability - well suited to household textiles.
 
Is this tea towel made in the UK?
Yes. The tea towel is designed and handwoven by Emma Baker in her studio in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
 
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. Emma Baker Handwoven Textiles ships to the UK, Canada, and the USA.