Whether your own linens are becoming tattered or you have friends who are hinting around that they need new towels for their new kitchens, it’s time to weave something fresh.
For the Spring 2027 issue of Handwoven, we’re asking designers to focus their attention on towels and washcloths, on cute woven baskets (to hold them on the counter), as well as on bath mitts, kitchen rugs, pot holders, and more. We’re interested in the whole range from very fluffy and thirsty rugs and towels to fine linen pieces that you’ll use on your most delicate crystal.
Random Exchange Towels by Kathie Roig from Handwoven September/October 2021. Photo by Matt Graves
What We’re Looking For
Project Specifications
For this issue, we expect that you’ll probably weave with easy-care yarns such as cotton, cottolin, linen, hemp or other plant fibers (plus, of course, old t-shirts or other fabrics). But we’re always happy to be surprised, and you are a very creative bunch!
Number of shafts? Anywhere from 2 to 16 (and sometimes beyond—let’s talk!).
Structures? You tell us. Waffle weave, woven lace, pile weaves, twill, summer and winter, overshot, crackle, Ms and Os... What would your stylish niece or nephew want in their kitchen? Design that!
Angela K. Schneider wove bath mitts in cotton (for the January/February 2020 issue) and hemp. Photo by Matt Graves
Types of Projects
Of course, we’re looking for dish towel designs—but that’s not all. Here are some of the other types of projects we’d like to see:
- Bath towels
- Hand towels
- Bath mitts
- Dishcloths and washcloths
- Bath mats
- Kitchen rugs
- Bread bags or cloths
- Pot holders
- Hot pads
- Aprons
- Woven baskets
If you have an idea that isn’t on this list, don’t be shy—please show us anyway!
As always, Make It Your Own is on our minds. We’d like you to consider ways that other weavers can adapt your ideas for their own purposes by changing fibers or warp size. Do you have suggestions for turning your dish towels into napkins, your bread bags into scarves, or your bath mats into placemats? Do you have ideas for alternate colorways?
Floral Bouquet Towels by Malynda Allen from Handwoven Summer 2025. Photo by Matt Graves
Using the Palette
You can find the palette for the issue here. Use these colors as shown, or work with shades of them.
Ring of Fancy Bath Mats by Marty Benson from Handwoven May/June 2018. Photo by George Boe
Submitting Proposals
We base our project selections for each issue on contributor photographs. With each project proposal, please include a photo or photos of the fabric on the loom, of the finished item, or of items you’ve woven that are most similar your project proposal.
We will review the proposals and ask for additional photographs if needed. After the project-selection meeting, we will contact everyone whose project is accepted and ask that they be submitted along with the project paperwork by the due date below.
Articles do not need to be fully written before submission. Please include an outline for the piece as part of your proposal. Outline attachments should be submitted as Word documents, Pages documents, or PDFs.
Key Dates
• Proposals for projects (including preliminary photos) and articles due: 4/6/2026
• Additional photographs of projects due: 5/25/2026
• Project and article acceptances sent: 6/15/2026
• Physical projects with paperwork due: 7/6/2026
• Article text and photographs due: 7/16/2026
Submission Forms and other Resources
Please use our Handwoven submission form for proposals. Our submission guidelines can be found here.
Use the email address below for any questions or inquiries that won’t fit into our submission form. Please contact us and ask for a physical address to send any pieces of your proposal that cannot be emailed.
Editorial email: [email protected]
We’re looking forward to seeing your proposals for projects and articles!
Happy weaving!
Lynn