Tea towels is a lighter weight fabric than the quilting cotton. I think it's a muslin. You can find them at most JoAnn's and I've seen them at Michaels in the past. They're NOT thicker --- think of having to shove one into a glass to dry the inside. Do NOT use home decor fabric. Way back, when I was a kid, my mother used my diapers as tea towels....the fabric was about the same. However, I know most young people nowadays have no idea what a cloth diaper is. LOL
If you're making an apron -- just substitute with any 100% cotton....or even a cotton/poly blend.