DIY Mantra Workout Towels

The second mantra project I bring you is my signature hand-embroidered mantra workout towels. I love this idea, because your workout mantra is literally staring you in the face when you drape it over your treadmill or elliptical machine. The bright colors and cute crafty look are motivating in themselves...at least to me!

These mantras are not only cute, but they're also pretty easy and very inexpensive. I got my microfiber towels from the Dollar Store and embroidery floss is usually less than a dollar at the craft store. See, if you're resourceful, you can turn anything into something lovely.

Mantra Workout Towel

*Cotton or microfiber towel (mine's from the Dollar Store)
*Contrasting embroidery floss
*Embroidery hoop (the thrift stores have tons of these for like 25 cents)
*Tapestry needle
*Chalk or fabric pencil

1. Secure your embroidery hoop around the spot you intend to embroider.

2. Draw your mantra or design out in chalk first. The chalk didn't work great of the microfiber material I was using, so you might try a fabric pencil. I would also suggest using cursive writing, as it's easier to connect all the lines when stitching.

3. Backstitch along your penciled-in lines all the way to the end.

4. Voila! You have your own handstitched, meaningful workout towel. See, embroidery isn't something just for old ladies, ya know!

I think a workout mantra that is in writing somehow is a much more potent motivator than a phrase you only keep in your head. You can't forget those words when they're smiling back at you from your machine. These colors make me so happy too. Enjoy!