If you are like me you love a nice tea to sip on just about any time of the day. As I was having my cup of tea the other day it dawned on me that I could make my own reusable tea bags. This would allow me to first customize my tea bags and make them cute but just as important help me to reduce waste as those little tea bags add up. I created some DIY reusable tea bags and decided to share that tutorial with you. These came out so cute that I decide to make a few extras to give as gifts to friends that enjoy tea. With all my sewing projects you can customize the fabric or options to your own liking. I think they turned out adorable and they make great tea as well. Make them for yourself and tell me what you think.
Supplies for Reusable Tea Bags
- Fabric
- Baker’s twine
- Optional – Charm or Button (I used a Rose Charm)
- Thread
- Scissors
- Rotary cutter and mat
- Sewing Pins or clips
- As with most sewing projects you will need an iron, ironing board, and sewing machine.
DIY Reusable Tea Bags
Wash, dry and press the fabric. I wanted to choose a thinner fabric to ensure proper steeping of the tea. I chose neutral colored printed organic cotton. Muslin would also work well. A sheer or mesh fabric would be appropriate but is definitely harder to work with. In my experience, the end result has fewer flaws when I pre-prep my fabrics with wash, dry and press. You don’t have to use the pattern or fabric choices I made you can always customize them to your families tastes. Now on to the cutting and sewing of the DIY reusable tea bags.
Measure and cut a rectangle of fabric 3.25” x 5” (Finished size will be 2.5” tall by 2.25” wide). You can use scissors for this but I have found it will be faster and easier with a rotary cutter and mat! You should be able to cut multiple bags out at a time using a rotary cutter and mat. Simply stack or fold your fabric before cutting to save some time!
Fold-down one of the 5” sides ¼” and press with an iron.
Fold again ½” and press. This will allow the raw edge of the drawstring casing to be tucked inside of the casing.
Measure and cut a 14” piece of twine or string.
Lay it lengthwise inside the casing you created. Be sure to tuck it into the fold!
Pin a couple of times to hold the string in place.
Stitch close to the folded edge of the casing, making sure not to catch the string.
Fold the right sides of the fabric together and pin once or twice to secure.
Stitch an “L” shape along the bottom and side of the tea bag with a ¼” seam allowance. Be sure to stop stitching before you reach the drawstring! Backstitch several times to reinforce the opening.
Snip off the bottom corners of the DIY reusable tea bag (be sure not to snip your stitches!) to decrease the bulk inside the corners.
Turn the reusable tea bag inside out. Using a turning tool or chopstick type tool, carefully push out the sides along the seams you just sewed.
Insert both ends of the string into the button or charm that you chose for your reusable tea bags. If you did not choose to use a charm or button you can just knot the twine together. Personally I think a button or charm adds a charming touch to the tea bag.
Knot both ends together around the button opening to complete the tea bags.
Your tea bag is ready to use! Using a spoon, carefully put the desired amount of loose tea into the reusable tea bag. Cinch the bag closed using the drawstring and steep to your desired strength. For me, one good spoonful is enough but everyone likes their tea with different strength. Wash and dry the bags as needed.
I have tried many of teas in my lifetime and have found that I personally enjoy Earl Grey Tea. What is your favorite tea? These also make an adorable gift for the tea drinker in your life. Make them and give it to them with their favorite loose leaf tea for an easy thoughtful gift. I did this for a few friends and the loved it, you can personalize it with a letter charm if you like.
If you liked our DIY reusable tea bag tutorial makes sure to pin it to your favorite sewing, reusable or eco-friendly Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make the reusable tea bags take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices others make.
Easy DIY Reusable Tea Bags
Easy to make Reusable Tea Bags. These are so cute and quick to make, I made some for friends that drink tea as a gift with their favorite tea.
Tools
- Iron
- Ironing Board
- Scissors
- Sewing Machine
- Rotary Cutter and Mat
- Sewing Pins
Instructions
- Wash, dry and press the fabric.
- Measure and cut a rectangle of fabric 3.25” x 5” (Finished size will be 2.5” tall by 2.25” wide).
- Fold-down one of the 5” sides ¼” and press with an iron. Fold again ½” and press. This will allow the raw edge of the drawstring casing to be tucked inside of the casing.
- Measure and cut a 14” piece of twine or string. Lay it lengthwise inside the casing you created. Be sure to tuck it into the fold! Pin a couple of times to hold the string in place.
- Stitch close to the folded edge of the casing, making sure not to catch the string.
- Fold the right sides of the fabric together and pin once or twice to secure.
- Stitch an “L” shape along the bottom and side of the tea bag with a ¼” seam allowance. Be sure to stop stitching before you reach the drawstring! Backstitch several times to reinforce the opening.
- Snip off the bottom corners of the tea bag (be sure not to snip your stitches!) to decrease the bulk inside the corners.
- Turn the bag inside out. Using a turning tool or chopstick type tool, carefully push out the sides along the seams you just sewed.
- Insert both ends of the string into the button or charm that you chose for your tea bags. Knot both ends together around the button opening.
- Your reusable tea bag is ready to use!
Notes
I chose neutral colored printed organic cotton. Muslin would also work well. A sheer or mesh fabric would be appropriate but is definitely harder to work with.
You should be able to cut multiple bags out at a time using a rotary cutter and mat. Simply stack or fold your fabric before cutting to save some time!
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