Guys, I did it. I pulled out the sewing machine to make something special for Clara’s third birthday. It’s become a little tradition for us to create a homemade gift rather than buy another toy, since she already receives so many store-bought presents from family and friends. I even used fabric from her monthly photo-project stash, the same prints I’ve used before to make a quilt, a table runner, a beanbag, and a birthday banner—projects that have all been handy and meaningful.
It all began when I spotted some fabric tea bags on Pinterest and thought they would be perfect for Clara’s play kitchen. She loves pretending to cook, serve food, and host tea parties for her stuffed animals. I couldn’t find any clear instructions, so I decided to improvise. What could go wrong? (Don’t answer that—you’ve seen my previous sewing exploits.)
First I cut small squares from ten favorite fabrics. For the string I used twine from my gift-wrapping stash, and I grabbed a few cotton balls for stuffing. From each fabric square I cut two tea-bag-shaped pieces (so although you see ten swatches, there are two pieces in each stack, for a total of twenty). I also cut a long, narrow rectangle from each fabric to make the little tag that sits at the top of the tea bag.
Then I sat at the sewing machine, muttered a short please-don’t-break prayer, and began sewing. My first attempt was a disaster—within minutes I had a mangled tea bag and a pile of frustration. I may have uttered a few choice words. My sewing machine has a way of stirring up emotions.
I took a deep breath and tried again. This time I placed the two right sides of each tea-bag shape together, tucked the twine between the layers at the top, and stitched around the sides, leaving the bottom open where the string would exit. My edge-following technique left something to be desired, but the concept worked: the string was secured in the seam when I turned the pieces right-side out.
After turning the fabric the first reveal made me laugh a little nervously because the result looked oddly like a feminine hygiene product. I nearly gave up again, but decided to continue. I tucked half a cotton ball inside, folded and stitched the bottom to close it, and gradually the shape began to look more like a sweet miniature tea bag and less like anything embarrassing. Relief and a little triumph set in.
To attach the small tag at the top, I folded the rectangular strip of fabric in half, stitched it so it caught the string, and ensured the tag stayed folded. With a few quiet pleas to my sewing machine and a little persistence, I cranked out a few more in quick succession. In about thirty minutes I had nine little tea bags finished. They’re not perfect, but the first attempt was the only casualty—and the sewing machine survived.
Clara immediately loved them. She sees me drink tea every morning and most evenings, so having her own set of fabric tea bags to “sip” alongside me makes her feel included. Watching her and her stuffed giraffe sit down for a pretend tea party is absolutely adorable and makes the effort worthwhile.
This project almost didn’t happen, but it did—and it reminded me of a small lesson: don’t abandon a project halfway through just because it looks odd in progress. Give it a chance; sometimes the end result is worth the awkward middle.
Are any of you sewing these days? How is your relationship with your machine? I’ve heard sewing can be calming for many, but my experience is often tumultuous with a side of anxiety. Still, finishing something homemade and seeing a child enjoy it makes the struggles worthwhile.
Psst— Want to know where we got something in our house or what paint color we used? Just click the button below: