should sit straight across the towel, with no obvious twisting, puckering, or wavy edges around the band. Uneven lines can point to poor finishing, uneven shrinkage, or loose construction that may get worse after repeated washing.
Close-up comparison of a flat towel border and raised terry loops.
4
Compare the border with the terry loops
The border will be flatter, so judge absorbency by the looped area around it. Cotton is listed by the University of Georgia Extension as absorbent and durable, and terry towels depend on
