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:
Sarah says
No Joke I just made those yesterday for my daughter. I used fabric spray glue and then sewed them to help the string stay put and hopefully help the fabric not to fray…and today my daughter just pulled all the strings out of them. So much for the glue. I used actual string from tea bags (bad idea) I guess they just werent thick enough. I didn’t have anything thicker on hand. It was a fun project while it lasted.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw man!! Ours have yet to get torn apart, so I’d recommend the sewing method if you can get them back in there (or upgrade to twine) :)
xo
s
Em says
My kids have espresso cups, which are harder to break than tea cups because of the smaller surface area. We’ve had them for years and haven’t broken one yet.
YoungHouseLove says
Such a sweet idea!
xo
s
Diana says
I am so incredibly proud of you because that’s how I feel about using my sewing machine too. BUT you actually went through with it!! I feel like I would just do it by hand to avoid having to try to use my sewing machine. I always have such a stressful time!
courtney s says
Here’s a tip…measure really accurately when you cut out your pieces. If you line up your presser foot with the edge of your fabric, you will always have a perfect 1/4 inch seam allowance. Just remember to add a 1/4 inch to all sides when you cut and then you’re all set!! It’s a quilter’s secret to perfect seams.
YoungHouseLove says
Love all the tips guys, thanks!
xo
s
Chaucea says
Ahhhh…!! *giggles happily* Those are SO cute! :-D
That made my day. They’re such fun little cheerful things!
Sandi Henderson says
I can safely say that almost all sewing issues relate back to the machine and really not the user. :) Either it is a bad (not necessarily cheap) machine that gets all munched up on the inside, or it is threaded wrong. Putting the bobbin in the wrong direction doesn’t seem like a big thing (hello, its a circle, it just goes in) but they do have a direction and it can wreak havoc if its in there wrong. Not to toot a horn, but I literally “wrote a few books on sewing” and stress that it isn’t important to spend a LOT of money on a machine, especially if you aren’t sewing every week or day, but to make sure you get a good one. My first machine was $50 and still works like a charm.
I dunno if that helps or not? :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Sandi!
xo
s
Pat says
Great post! I love projects for the kids. My wife got me hooked on you guys. She got a sewing machine a few years ago and I remember coming across a scene startlingly similar to picture #1… Come to think of it, I’m not even sure that the machine is even still in our house…
PSA: As someone who makes a living designing and rehabbing sewage treatment plants, I can authoritatively advise against flushing any kind of hygiene product that doesn’t fall squarely into the toilet paper category.
I’ve seen WAY too many feminine hygiene products and Ramen Noodle packages and Barbie Dolls and pillow cases and syringes and once even a poodle :( that have somehow managed to find their non-biodegradable selves (except the poodle, I guess) right in the middle of a system that is all about bio-degradation…
Gross I know, and well off topic, but I lol-ed a little when I saw that “flushing” line.
I’m excited to see the progress with the new house!
YoungHouseLove says
No way! Poor poodle :(
xp
s
Elizabeth @ Real Inspired says
Awww, super cute! If we ever have a girl, I am so making them! I’m pretty sure our little boy would not be interested.
Kristin says
“The bad news? It looked like a feminine hygiene product.”
My poor work computer almost got a coffee shower when I read that! Super impressed with your “stick-with-it” attitude though. The end result is very cute!
Pam says
Sherry, Your photos of tangled thread remind me of when I sew. I’m sure it’s user error and not the machine. When it is working properly, I love it, but so many times I want to throw it out the window too.
edna says
super cute, but what i want to know is where are your pink and orange glasses from? super cute!
YoungHouseLove says
Those are from Target maybe a year ago! They’re plastic so they don’t break and I love them for parties (setting out candies, straws, etc).
xo
s
Rachel says
Oh man I hear ya! I love the results of sewing…I am not sure I love sewing…I figure though that a project isn’t worth doing if I don’t drop the f bomb at least once per 10 minutes.
Sarah says
I’m with you – I abhor my sewing machine. I see all these adorable things on Pinterest and sites like Prudent Baby and I think, I should give it another chance. Then, three minutes later, I find myself in a complete rage and hating life. I even took sewing in high school! I should know how to do this! Nope. Knitting, cooking, painting – love ’em. Sewing: You can kiss my arse.
Margaret says
What an awesome idea, Sherry! I am going to make these this weekend! But then I need to find some cups for my toddler to use.
Leah says
Oh, I hear you, I hear you! I got a sewing machine for Christmas and the very thought of getting the bobbin set up prevented me from trying anything for 5 months. Finally, we started redecorating our bedroom so I decided to make some “easy” panel curtains and tie them with ribbon for a Roman shade-esque shape.
Biggest lesson? Put the ever-loving presser foot down! I kept forgetting and getting the nesting crapola under where I was sewing and it was driving me up a wall.
Not ashamed to admit I had more than one tantrum and it took me ~8 hours to do them all, but they’re done and they’re up!
Ash @ HumberHomeProject says
These are so adorable! :) I love all the handmade stuff Clara has for her kitchen. I know I’d be jealous of her setup if I were 3!
I’m an avid sewer, and I get in fights with my sewing machine often, too. Usually it happens when I’m on the last few stitches of a project because that’s just my luck haha.
I’ve learned that a seam ripper can be your BFF – it also feels good to murder those messed up stitches in a fit of anger ;)
Elle Marie says
I think part of the issues you have may be with your sewing machine – really good machines will have a speed setting (my ancient but trustworthy Riccar has a “rabbit/turtle” button), and you can use the turtle setting for greater control. A sewing machine should also have a seam allowance guide underneath the presser foot – a series of lines to show where to keep the edge of your fabric to keep your seam allowances consistent. It looks like your machine has this but they may not be marked – what I did on my mother’s sewing machine growing up was place a piece of masking tape next to the seam allowance I wanted to use, so I could tell which line to use (the most common seam allowances are 5/8ths of an inch or 1/2 inch).
The other thing I can recommend is tons of PRACTICE – just take some fabric you don’t care about and practice sewing, without an actual project in mind. Fiddle with the stitch settings and get comfortable using them. Practice “walking” the needle – instead of using the foot pedal, slowly rotate the wheel on the right side (not the stitch settings, I think it is technically the flywheel, but my terminology might be off) to make single stitches – when you get close to corners, take your foot off the pedal and walk the needle to get a perfect corner by rotating the fabric. I learned to sew by making doll clothes when I was young – they’re small, so you don’t need to buy much fabric, and if they don’t turn out perfect it is fine to scrap them!
That being said, my mother has a cheap (under $200) Brother machine and even with proper practice and technique, it can’t sew anything worth a darn. It might be worth your time to get a better quality machine – if there is a sewing machine repair shop in your area, go in and chat with the people working there and ask if they have a refurbished older machine that you could buy. The machine I used for many, many years was a Riccar from the 1980s, which was a hand-me-down from my grandmother – I just replaced it with a lovely new pricey Janome machine this year, since the electrical wires on my old Riccar were no longer in good shape and couldn’t be replaced safely.
If you do get a new machine, I recommend getting something simple but made by a very good company – something with manual controls, multiple stitch options, and metal components. You also ideally want something with an included zipper foot and buttonhole options, if possible, since they will give you more flexibility down the line if you want to tackle clothing repairs or make something more complicated.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Elle Marie!
xo
s
Sarah Beth says
I have a love hate relationship with mine and before I make anything I try to find a no-sew way to do it first. Thank you for your no-sew curtain panels, by the way.
Any who, our local agriculture extension office is always having free sewing lessons. Don’t know if they have that where you live, but it may be worth checking out. I’m attending the next one they have. Hopefully they can teach me something about thread tension.
krys72599 says
I’m with you, Sherry!
I always wind up with a hot mess of tangled thread, and sometimes, maybe 50% of the time, I get a seam sewed or a project done.
The other 50% of the time I give up after several minutes of cursing, trying over and over to do the same 5 minute job, then threatening to send the sewing machine to a landfill!
Kitty says
I want to second your taking a basic sewing class at Jo-Ann Fabrics, your local sewing/quilting store, or through your county, if they offer recreational/educational classes as mine does. Your DIY blog is your livelihood, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to up your game a little. You have lots of creativity, which is something that can’t be taught! Now you just need to learn a few tricks from the pros.
Susan Hines says
My bobbins always mess me up. My machine is older, but I finally got the manual online and boy does it help when you learn how it is supposed to work! But I think for those of us that sew “occasionally”, we don’t have the skills that you get from sewing a lot. The tea bags are adorable. And I LOVE all your fabrics. I go in stores and I’m so disapointed when looking for bright fabrics. I have been told by my sorority sister in Richmond that I need to come up there to the fabric outlet?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, U-Fab is awesome here! Although some of these came from JoAnn or Hancock (just have to search a little more).
xo
s
Heidi says
Wow! Sewing sure makes for comments. As a former Home Economics teacher I love your blog especially when it comes to your sewing adventures. As you know with painting it’s all about the tools. Make your iron do the work. Press your project into shape and let the machine glue your pressed project together. I hope you get a machine that is truly worthy of your visions and talent. Not necessarily a new machine, but a better machine. A sewing machine with all metal parts that does not heat up like plastic heats up and creates havoc. They truly sing along while you sew. I see a Singer featherweight in your future. By the way my daughter made–sewed that adorable elephant she gifted to Clara.
Anna says
I learned how to sew from my mother. I have made tons of clothes for 4-H, my bridesmaid dressings, curtains, etc; however, during very project I have undertaken something ALWAYS goes wrong. The needle breaks, machine jams, tension is off or I sew a pocket closed. But no matter what I love sticking with those projects and finishing them, because they are always worth it.
Joanna S. says
At least the final product was very cute!
I keep thinking about “trying” my moms sewing machine for curtains but I’m scared! I’m not at all coordinated, my eye and hand coordination is ridiculous, and I don’t want to break the thing. I’m glad I’m not the only one. And I know those tears of frustration really too well.
Sara w says
I second the boiling over sensation with sewing! I was laughing out loud at your hulk feelings-but the end result is always (usually?) so worth it. I am totally making these for my niece’s birthday! I got her a tea set for Christmas-perfect!
Theresa says
“they say you’re only as good as your tools…”
Sherry, get your Craigslist on!
A new to you machine is far better than a cheap plastic model with all the “bells & whistles”
(psst go for a Bernina)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for all of the advice guys!
xo
s
Starr @ The Kiefer Cottage says
I pulled out my sewing machine recently, tried to use it, everything turned out a mess, and I put it back in the attic.
I’ve used other people’s machines with no problem, so I’m blaming my machine. It’s flummoxed even family members with sewing experience!
Laura says
Love these! I just finished making new patio cushions and accent pillows for my outdoor chairs. While I typically have some kind of difficulty with my machine, this time I was cursing at the number of times I accidentally stuck myself with straight pins!!
http://thesweetlifehouse.blogspot.com/2013/05/patio-cushion-re-do.html
YoungHouseLove says
Those are awesome!
xo
s
Kasey M. says
I’m right there with you on the sewing machine debackle. Everytime I sit down with a project I have to start a new mantra like, “I will not hulk smash the sewing machine…I will not hulk smash the sewing machine.” And then [inevitably] I walk away disappointed and consoling myself with, “I can do ANYTHING, but I can’t do EVERYTHING.”
You know I’m a glutton for punishment though. I keep thinking that if I just calmly read the instructions on the machine/pattern/etc and go slow things will eventually work out. So far the only thing I’ve successfully made is a bag -and only with a sewing instructor standing at my elbow the ENTIRE time.
Carrie says
I’ve seen some really cute felt tea bags on pinterest – and they look way easier (no sewing inside out) and then you could simply embroider something on the bag. I’ve found a love for hand sewing because like you, I wanted to smash my machine. Now, I use my daughter’s machine and somehow it works better for me.#theelevenyearoldhasabettermachinethanmommy.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s cute!!
xo
s
Heather says
I really like sewing, and for the most part it’s pretty calming. Although, you perfectly described some of the feelings I have when using patterns. “Hulk smash” . My favorite line you’ve ever written :)
Sarah J. says
i know you’ve probably been told already, but maybe you need to look in your sewing machine user manual and see about your thread tension. that’s the thing that trips most people up and turns projects into a mangled spider web looking mess. :) just thought i would throw it out there. hang in there!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Sarah!
xo
s
Vanessa says
These are adorable!
I love sewing and usually have a pretty good time while making projects. But I have been known to push my machine a little to far… usually resulting in lots of curse words and some broken needles :-/
Jessica says
For one of my first and only sewing projects I wanted to make my (26 years younger) baby sister a reading tent. I pinterest-ed many options and drove friends nuts with needing second opinions picking out fabric (akin in intensity to sawing off your own leg “are we SURE its the right one??”) I used a hoola hoop sewed into a pocket for the top and sewed all of my larger scraps inside as pockets for her books and suffed buddies – it was a huge success! Hard to know if it was worth the 10+ hours and huge alligator tears to make over buy. But she loves it – so I guess its all ok!
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds so cute!
xo
s
Anne says
Oh Sherry…I am in awe of your humility and willingness to put your sewing troubles out there for every one to see, but it is painful for me to see you struggling so badly.
Can I suggest that you please take some sewing lessons either from another blogger who offers, on line videos, a fabric store class? Heck, I would love to come to your house and teach you some basics, but I live in the midwest. When I see you work so hard on such a cute idea ( tea bags for Clara) it just makes me sad!!
I agree with the others that suggest a better quality sewing machine too. I have a Bernina that was expensive ($600) 25 years ago, but it was well worth it. I use it only a few days a month, but divided over the years I have had it, I am so happy I bought it, even though at the time we poor! Oh wait, we still are! ( :
Look forward to seeing the things you do to your new house. When I saw your post, I told my husband “John and Sherry are getting a new house!!” And he said “Do I know these people?”. “Of course, they are my friends in Virginia”.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Anne! I definitely would love to take a class one of these days- or make my mom teach me (she’s awesome and sewed all of our Halloween costumes and a good amount of our clothes growing up).
xo
s
Holly says
It’s like anything else, Sherry; practice makes perfect! I’m glad to see you actually, you know, using your machine instead of it sitting dusty in a corner like mine. :)
Jenn says
I love that you are instilling in Clara the value that not everything good/fun/exciting needs to be bought. You can just as easily make a wonderful gift and I think that effort and creativity makes it that much more meaningful. My husband and I don’t have children yet but we’ve talked about taking this same approach one day. Life isn’t all about the “stuff.”
lindsey says
Ok-so this may have already been posted but something that helps me when sewing super small shapes like this is to trace my shape onto a larger square piece, pin it right sides together to another piece, and sew the shape (with the space open for turning, just like you had the bottom undone). THEN cut out around the part where you drew/sewed (??). You are handling a much bigger piece of fabric that won’t get caught so easily. I don’t know if you will make something small like this again but it awalys works for me. :) They turned out super cute and now I have to make some for my neices!
YoungHouseLove says
Smart tip!
xo
s
Donita says
This works GREAT, do it all the time. :-)
Sarah says
Hi Sherry,
That’s beautiful idea,I want to try right now!
Janel says
And this is why I crochet – I’m way too OCD. But you rocked that thing, girl…make it say your name, hahahahahaha!!!
Angela says
I have an oh-so-spendy Bernina sewsing machine because I sew my own clothes, but yes, I still come across a fabric, thread, or project that just doesn’t want to work. If you have a lot of patience, you can, as Tim Gunn says, “make it work”.
An important step I feel like some people try to skip is pressing one’s seams open. Unfortunately this is what makes sewing über time consuming, but it really makes a HUGE difference in how your project looks. You can sometimes rescue a wonky seam by pressing it well. I admit I hate having to always stop and press my seams, but it’s what takes your project from very home-spun-y looking to professionally-made looking.
You’ve already gotten tons of great advice posted, so don’t be discouraged! Good luck!
Veronica Flores (@VeronicaInLA) says
If you ever decide to replace Oh Brother, I HIGHLY recommend getting a Husqvarna. (http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/) Not a salesperson for them, but recommend based on experience! I spent countless hours yelling at cheaper machines before I had one (and this is coming from someone who put in 3 years of her life sewing on industrial machines in a costume shop!), but once I replaced the cheap Singer that I had, the entire experience of sewing changed from being stressful to actually enjoyable. I think the lowest base price you can find them at is around $200-$300, but they’re worth every penny! Never have tension issues, very foolproof, and dynamite little workhorses. 6 years and counting! No trips to the repair shop so far (knock on wood.)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Veronica!
xo
s
Rosie says
I 2nd the Viking machine! I’ve been sewing on Vikin/Husquvarna for 12 years and I LOVE them. I sewed on my first for 10 years, never a problem. Just upgraded 2 years ago (or was it last year?) because I wanted more machine. :) You can find a dealer at some of the larger JoAnn Fabrics stores.
Lindsay C says
What a great idea!! These turned out sooo cute, even if they looked a bit off track for a minute, you definitely pulled it off! And, I thik my co-workers are wondering what was cracking me up–between you and me it was the hulk smash line that made me literally LOL ;)
Great post $herdog!
MJ says
Haha…I had to laugh when you used the word ‘tampon’ in this post!!
This reminds me of my attempt to make Barbie aprons for my daughter’s 6th ‘Barbie’s Bake Shoppe’ birthday party.
Needless to say, they didn’t happen & I almost lost an eye with the flying shrapnel from the needle on my old sewing machine.
Good on ya for getting this done!
Paige @ Little Nostalgia says
I can sew by hand LIKE A BOSS, but when I sit down in front of my machine it’s torture. Thread all over the place. A lot of people are saying that having the right machine makes a huge difference, and I’m wondering if that’s my problem now. I got a vintage machine from a company I’ve never (ever) heard of as a Christmas gift a few years ago, and I think I need to get one that’s more legit.
Allison says
Oh dear lord you crack me up!! I have very similar experiences with my sewing machine. You’re not alone sista!
jenn aka the picky girl says
In my experience (and my mom has been through several super expensive machines), there are quality sewing machines, but each inexplicably has its own problems. It’s why I don’t break it out anymore unless reallllly necessary. The million-thread thing is such a pain in the rear.
Ugh. I am proud of the things I’ve sewn – lined curtains for me and some super nice ones for a friend, my sister’s prom dress, things like that, but unless I really can’t find it somewhere reasonable to buy, that bad boy isn’t coming out.
Justine Y says
I have a Brother and it works really well, when it does jam up it’s usually pretty easy for me to figure it out and get it working again quickly; so, I personally don’t think you need to spend $$$ on a machine, but what do I know? :)
Something I have noticed is the quality of the thread makes a big difference for my machine, like I pretty much only use Gutterman. SO maybe your thread is part of the issue?
YoungHouseLove says
Love all the tips guys!
xo
s
Meredith says
These turned out really cute! I might attempt some for my tea party loving little girl, except my relationship with my sewing machine is just about the same as yours! Thanks for making me feel less crazy about my sewing machine rage!
Morgan says
I just scored a 40 year old Pfaff 1212 sewing machine and table at a garage sale for $50. I’ve had my fair share of cursing and temptation to throw my $99 Singer through the window, but sewing on this new (old) machine has been a revelation. So (sew?) far, I’ve made a lining for a wooden crate that I added casters to for toy storage and I’m now in the process of sewing Roman shades – real ones! The best part is the sewing table. It’s much more convenient to use that maching when I don’t have to haul it out of the closet and put it on the dining room table (under a YHL wire globe pendant :)). Once you get around to fixing up that craft room, I highly recommend giving your sewing machine a permanent home.