Teabag organizer tutorial

With the Christmas holy day drawing near and as I have been making gifts and cards, I tend to have carols running through my head as I make small gifts and cards to give. While making this teabag holder gift I kept 'hearing' WHAT CAN I GIVE HIM and the portion of the lyrics which are:
What can I give Him
How can I start?
I can't give a buckle,
a Lamb or a garment,
so Come Christmas morning
I'll give Him my heart.

These teabag organizer pouches are fun to give as token from the heart. So, without further ado, here is a simple pictorial tutorial to create a very quick and easy and sweet teabag organizer.
Let's get started...
Gather your materials:
Cut two 11" X 9" fabric rectangles for the outer and inner cover
Cut two 11" X 6" fabric rectangles for the pocket holders for your tea
Two 11" pieces of trim (optional)
One button
Thread
Sewing machine
NOTE: I used one fat quarter for my teabag holders that measured 22" X 18" and cut it into quarters. This makes use of nearly the entire fat quarter.
Step one: fold the 11" X 6" pocket pieces lengthwise in half and press.

Step two: stitch the trim to the folded edge of the pocket pouch. Step three: pin the pockets to one of the 11" X 9" pieces keeping raw edges together. Machine baste pockets to hold in place. Step four: Using a ruler and chalk, carefully measure and mark the pocket stitching lines. Starting from the outer edge measure in 1" and mark a line on the pocket. From that chalk line measure in another 3" and mark line. Repeat measuring 3" and marking a line.

Now, stitch your chalk lines. This creates the pocket dividers for the tea bags.
Step five: Now we'll make the closure. Cut a scrap of fabric one and a half inches by five inches.Step six: Press lengthwise in half and stitch and turn rightside out. Press flat. (use a bodkin to make your life easier!) You may prefer to use elastic or a small piece of ribbon rather than making a self fabric loop. Do what is easiest!
Step seven: On the outside of the remaining 11" X 9" fabric baste the loop in the center with raw edges even. I also attached a small square of interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric where the button will be placed for a little extra stability.
Step eight: With right sides together pin the outer and inner covers together. Baste and make sure you leave an opening on one side to turn it rightside out after stitching step.

Step nine: Stitch a 1/2" seam around the entire rectangle being sure to leave an opening for turning. Trim and finish the seams. (I used my serger/overlock).

Step ten: Turn your teabag holder right side out. Press. Now stitch the opening closed. Attach your button. (note: I decide to attach the button at this point. You must be sure when you are sewing it on the OUTSIDE of the pouch that you do not stitch through the inner pocket. You can attach your button once you've position your interfacing in step seven, but I didn't want to have to try to use the sewing machine and serger with the bulk of the button. Again, do what is easiest for you.)

You are finished! Give your teabag holder a good pressing and gather some teabags and fill your holder.


To close into a palm sized holder fold 1/3 toward the left like so:

Now fold the right side to the center like this:

Finally, fold the bottom up and button your teabag organizer closed. You are finished!

Aren't they cute? I'm using a fat quarter bundle from Sandy Klop for MODA called A breath of Avignon by American Jane Patterns. I just love the colors.

In a future tutorial I will show you how to make quilted mug mats to coordinate with the teabag holders.

I hope this was helpful. It is certainly a very FAST and easy project. If there is anything unclear please leave a comment and I'll try to answer any questions. And while there are many tutorials on the internet, this is my own version. Feel free to use these instructions for yourself and for gifts. All I ask is that you link back to my blog as to where you found the instructions.


Cheers!
Jennifer