Guys, I did it. I broke out the sewing machine to make something for Clara’s third birthday. It’s a little tradition of ours to make her something instead of buying it since she gets a ton of store-bought presents from family and friends. I even used her big ol’ stash of monthly photo fabrics, which have also come in handy for making her a quilt, a table runner, a beanbag, and even a birthday banner (remember that epic battle of woman vs. sewing machine?).
It all started when I saw these fabric tea bags on Pinterest and thought they’d be really fun for Clara’s play kitchen since she’s so into making food and pretending to eat it and have tea parties with her stuffed animals. And really, what’s a tea party without tea? So even though there weren’t any directions to be found, I thought I’d just wing it. What’s the worst that could happen? Wait, don’t answer that. You’ve seen my previous work…
First I cut a few little squares from ten of my favorite fabrics.
Then I grabbed some twine that I had in the gift closet for the string part (it’s leftover from a gift someone gave me a while back). I also brought in a few cotton balls from the bathroom because I figured the tea bags had to be stuffed with something. And then I just cut two tea bag shaped pieces of fabric from each swatch (so although you see 10 tea-bag-shaped swatches below, there are two in each stack, right on top of each other for a total of 20). I also cut a long rectangle from each fabric to make the tag on the top of the tea bag.
Then I sat down at the sewing machine, said a small please-don’t-make-me-throw-you-out-the-window prayer, and got sewing. Within about five minutes I had this mess, and had completely ruined my first tea bag. There might have been a few whispered obscenities. Nothing gets me heated like my sewing machine, guys. Nothing.
But I resisted the urge to Hulk Smash it and started in on my second attempt. This time I came up with the idea of putting both of the right sides of the tea bags together (with the bad ones facing out) while tucking the string between it like you see in the photo below. Then I sewed up all of the sides of it except for the bottom where the string sticks out. You can see how bad I am about following the edges of the tea-bag shape here. Better work on that.
Then I turned it right-side out. The good news? The string was securely sewn to the top of the bag. The bad news? It looked like a feminine hygiene product. I allllmost gave up for the second time. There were more mumbled obscenities.
But before I threw in the towel, I figured it might look better if I could tuck half a cotton ball in there, fold the bottom part up to seal it, and add a little stitching to hold it closed, thereby finishing the bag part. Thankfully things started to turn around at this point, because it actually got cute-ish (and less tampon-esque in shape). Hallelujah!
To attach the tag part at the top I just folded that piece of fabric in half and put a few stitches into it so it caught the string and stayed folded.
Then I put my head down, said a few more “please don’t make me pound you with a hammer” prayers to my sewing machine, and in about ten more minutes I had three more of these guys knocked out. Wahoo!
About half an hour later I was left with nine tea bag babies. They’re definitely not perfect, but that first attempt was my only casualty. And my sewing machine is still alive and well. So…. success!
Clara especially loves them because I have tea every night and most mornings. So she sees me with it and now has her own tea bags so she can sip with me.
So this is the project that almost wasn’t, but is! And I think we all learned a lesson today, guys. No matter how much something looks like a feminine hygiene product when it’s half done, at least try finishing it before flushing it down the toilet. Both literally or figuratively.
Anyone else sewing stuff? How’s your relationship with your sewing machine? I hear that so many people love to sew (and even that it calms them?!) but my experiences can best be described as tumultuous with a side of anxiety. So far in the end it has always been worth it though. And seeing Clara and her stuffed giraffe sitting down for a little tea party is pretty much the cutest thing ever.
Psst- Wanna know where we got something in our house or what paint color we used? Just click on this button:
lisa says
They turned out wonderful! If you make more and have some essential oils Clara could have little sets of “flavored” teas: lemon, peppermint, orange, cinnamon, etc.
Amanda says
This is such a cute idea. Tea parties were always so fun when I was little.
As for sewing…I’m the worst. I’ve had to bring my sewing machine across the street to my neighbors about three times in the past year to get it fixed. I think I’m doomed to use hem tape forever. I have managed to sew a couple pillow cases, but that’s as far as I’ve gotten.
Michelle says
I don’t know if anyone else has suggested this, but a really simple thing to try would be to make sure you are holding onto the loose ends of the threads before you start stitching.
The thread on the spool and in the bobbin are under tension, so if you don’t hold the ends it’s easier for the machine to pull the loose ends through than it is to pull from the spool like it should. Once you have a few stitches, you don’t need to hold the ends any more.
Robin says
sorry to keep harping on the sewing machine, especially because there were good reviews on Amazon, but … it’s just confusing.
I don’t know all the model numbers, but I know that Brother makes machines to be sold in Walmart and places like that, and they are notorious for poor performance. BUT Brother makes much better machines and these are typically sold in sewing machine stores.
I have bought several inexpensive-but-great-quality for nieces and my mom. I got all of them at Overstock, and I looked for the Janome brand (or Sears Kenmore which was made by Janome for a while). I paid $119 – $159 for them. It varies what they have in stock, and for all I know they don’t have them anymore. Wonderful machines.
Good luck! Sewing really IS fun and creative. You might enjoy learning from a Craftsy class – I LOVE Craftsy!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Robin!
xo
s
Robin says
here – this is a great little machine:
http://tllg.net/pbWy
:)
Robin says
oops, LOL, that’s a link to a sewing blog.
THIS is an example of doesn’t-have-to-cost-a-lot to be reliable sewing machine:
http://www.overstock.com/Crafts-Sewing/Janome-SewMini/7210918/product.html
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks again Robin!
xo
s
Darcy says
I’m with you: I don’t find sewing relaxing or enjoyable really. I dread the most basic of tasks too: like threading a bobbin, for crying out loud!
Every once in a while I’ll toy with the idea of taking a class or something – but then ditch it. If I want to relax, I garden or paint furniture. That’s enough for me right now.
But, your tea bags look awesome! They almost make me want to reconsider and make some for my son’s play kitchen too.
Skooks says
Always! I love to sew so much . . . it is a bit ridiculous. I actually just entered a vintage sheet baby quilt I made for my daughter into the Blogger’s Quilt Festival. http://www.skooksplayground.com/2013/05/kiwis-vintage-sheet-baby-quilt-bloggers.html
Those tea bags are cute. Some of the most fun projects I’ve done at the sewing machine were done while winging it. Good on you for sticking with it even after the first attempt turned out a bit . . . you know . . . personal. ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Wow, that’s gorgeous!
xo
s
Marcy says
admittedly a bit nervous that the fabric is going to bleed dye once it’s put in water… some maybe but not all fabrics are prone to that.
otherwise, super cute idea!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, we don’t really put them in water – we just pretend :)
xo
s
Vicki says
Just a thought, are you holding the two “tails” before you start to sew? Sink the needle into the fabric manually, and hold the two tails behind the fabric (away from you) while you take a few stitches. That might help eliminate the rats nest. That, or take the lil guy for a tune up. Something may be out of alignment. ^_~.\/.
Robyn in Chicago says
I’m glad you didn’t give up. My mom is a master seamstress (she’s 6′ tall and had to sew her clothes when she was young becuase they didn’t have so many options then) and she’s also a master crafter. I generally call her in a panic every time I’m attempting to make something. She has taught me to not give up and work through – just like you did. Because there’s always an awkward middle process where things don’t look right. Anyway, glad you kept going! They are so cute!
Amy says
Yeah, I bought a sewing machine about a year ago thinking, “it can’t be that hard, I’ll sew all the things!” Nope. That thing turns me into the Hulk. I recently put it into the ‘garage sale’ pile – Boyfriend thinks it’s worth keeping, I never want to see it again.
lara says
not sure if someone commented already, but there are lots of kids teas too. my daughter loves the peppermint tea for colds just about any time. check out whole foods or a co-op for lots of options for Clara to share tea time with you. i just add a few ice cubes…
YoungHouseLove says
That’s such a sweet idea :)
xo
s
Megan says
What a great idea for those fabrics. And Clara loves them, which is the most important part! :)
So now the big question — are you saving some of the other fabric for (maybe) baby #2, or do you start over? (trying to be sensitive, so I hope I didn’t step on any toes — but I am definitely not saying you look like you have a baby bump right now!)
YoungHouseLove says
I think we’ll definitely save the fabrics for projects in the future, although we’re not sure if we’ll do exactly the same thing with a future child. Maybe we’ll come up with some other background idea?
xo
s
Kate says
Although I am super excited about your new house project posts, I love reading about little projects like this. :)
Andrea says
I hate to repeat the same thing that others have posted, but a good sewing machine, good thread & the correct machine needles will do wonders in how you sew! Try out a computerized sewing machine at a dealer (not walmart or off Internet) a sewing machine dealer who sells husqvarna, baby lock, janome or bernina….sewing machines are just like cars, a Cadillac drives much better and smoother than a Pinto!
Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says
Aw, they turned out so cute! Good for you for battling the sewing machine to get to the end of the project! I’ve been sewing a little lately…some curtains for a friend and a springy-summery runner for our dining room table. :)
Seaweed & Raine says
I think you and I should sit side by side to sew… we can have hissy fits at our machines together. Don’t you feel awesome when you actually MAKE something after all the anxt though? I sure do. I think these are fab Sherry, and I’m sure you’re going to be having many more cuppa’s acompanied by Miss Clara. ;)
Sheree x0x
Marjorie says
Oh man…what is it with sewing machines?! Why are they so evil? I can handle every power tool in the garage, every device in the kitchen, and I love making crafty things with textiles. But get that sewing machine out and my finest cussing comes out with it. So glad I’m not the only one.
Yuri says
what a wonderful idea. I don´t know how I found your blog, but I´m here over an hour :)
Dacia @ Lemon Drop Life says
I almost spit out MY tea when I read that “feminine hygiene product” line. Too funny! But they turned out really cute!!
Donna Huebsch says
Yep, I’m another one who has a love-hate relationship with their sewing machine. Yet when I tough it out and manage to finish a project, I’m so proud of myself. For example, when my daughter’s prom dress needed to be lengthened and I had to figure out how to do a lettuce edge tulle ruffle with my sewing machine, I thought it would result in a major apoplectic event! Instead it turned out nicely and I even turned the experience into an online tutorial:
http://donnahuebsch.hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Make-a-Lettuce-Edge-Tulle-Ruffle-With-Your-Sewing-Machine
Me…with a sewing tutorial – who woulda thunk it?
YoungHouseLove says
Looks awesome Donna!
xo
s
Tara says
Dear Sherry,
I am currently in the midst of making these sweet little tea bags for my own little lady. I must confess, I read your post and thought “How hard can it really be?!”
My discard pile is currently considerably larger than my keep and the standards have been lowered – dramatically :)
These little buggers are tricky!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I know, right?! Good luck Tara!
xo
s