tea bag holder

The other day, Beezus and I went out to this little tea shop near our house for an impromptu tea party. This place also has little gifts, and I saw this fabric tea bag holder for your purse. It just screamed the perfect thank you gift for a friend who was present for me when I had my miscarriage. I also always "borrow" tea off of her. I go to a great deal of meetings where only coffee is served, but they'll give you some hot water, if you bring your own tea. And I kept thinking about it. Not wanting to spend the fifteen bucks for the fabric one from the tea shop, but also it became the "perfect" gift for Marie. Google and a sewing forum later, I found a description of how to put one together and thought I would share it here.

Not sure what a tea bag holder is? Here is a finished product:

Okay. Take a piece of elastic, or binding. Or 1" x 9" strip. You are basically folding in the edges to create a nice seam, and sewing it to be about 1/4" thick. This is going to be your button loop. I do think elastic would be good for this part, but I just didn't have any.

Start with a piece of fabric 20" x 16"

Fold the long side (20" side) together. Good side in. Then press it.

You then sew the side opposite the fold together. 1/4" seam.

Move the seam to the middle and then press it.

Sew one of the smaller unsewn edges together. 1/4" seam.

Fold the opposing edges in about a 1/4" But leave unsewn. You will finish that later. Now, turn it right side around and press it.

Take the sewn edge, and fold it 2 1/2" in and pin it.

Sew the fold with a 1/4" seam.

Now take the opposite side and fold it 5" up.

 Then fold it back 2 1/2". Pin that bad boy.

Take your loop and tuck it into the unfinished seam. (the one you tucked in.) Pin it. Sew a 1/4" seam. The first time I did this, I broke a needle, so make sure it is not too thick.

Now sew 1/4" seams at the side edges. (The two sides perpendicular to the loop.)

Now you are going to make the pockets for the tea bags by measuring in 3 1/4" from each side. Sew the line straight down the project, though, because this is also going to create your folds. This project is tri-folded.

Press the heck out of it. And fold it and press it. You fold in each side, then in half once. Do that and measure based on your loops where the button will be sewn. Hand sew this, making sure not to sew the outer pocket to the inner one.

Fill it with your favorite teas, and artificial sweetener, if you use such a thing. I don't. But I think my friend does.

Then fold it into a pouch and throw it into your purse. Eh, voila!

Hope this was clear. Happy to answer any questions in the comment section.