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:
Crystal @ 29 Rue House says
I need to spend more time on Pinterest!! Such a cute idea although we aren’t tea drinkers.
There are definitely a few curse words when I use my machine (and I’m a complete amateur but have big ideas sometimes) but the finished product feels so good!
p.s. I try to keep my expectations low so a bad sewing job isn’t a surprise or a big disappointment. :)
Renee says
Wow, you really should take a class if you’re blogging on your projects and your blogging is your job, lol! Cute idea, but the execution is lacking. I’d have folded the fabric in half and sewn up the sides and top. Hope it helps!
YoungHouseLove says
Blogging became our job thanks to not being experts and learning as we went (we’ve never taken painting or tiling classes either). So while I’d love to take a class and learn more about sewing someday, I’m a firm believer in not being afraid to dive in and learn on the job, even if you’re a novice. That’s how Clara ended up with a quilt, a birthday banner, and a beanbag that she loves :)
xo,
s
Lisa says
A good machine makes a HUGE difference. I went from screaming at my machine and barely sewing to LOVING to sew and using it everyday just because I bought a better machine.
Also, don’t know if someone else has mentioned but it looks as if the timing is off which is why it turns into a thready mess. It happens often with lower end machines because they can’t handle more than a couple of thin fabrics at a time. Also, have you changed the needle? It needs to be changed every project (large) or every 8 hours of sewing. Truthfully I change it more, it also makes an enormous difference. Just wait till they go on crazy sale at JoAnns and stock up. Then you won’t feel so bad when you have to change them.
Maggie says
I haven’t read all the other replies, but I also have a craptastic sewing machine. So these are things I have found give me problems when I sew. Cheap, old thread tends to break. You should adjust the tension and stitch length. A dull or bent needle can give you fits. You may need a different bobbin, particularly if the thread when it was wound didn’t go on evenly. You could also use fusible, iron on webbing, hem or seam binding for small things like this. Hence, not sewing them at all. That said, the little teabags are really cute!
Rosie says
Some advice for you, if, you know, you’d like to have a more love than hate love/hate relationship with your sewing machine: Find a brother dealer (you do have a brother, right?) and see if you can take an owners class. They’ll cover the basics for you and you can ask trouble shooting questions. What most frustrated, hulk-smashing seamstresses-in-training need to know about: Tension. How to change it, how to fix it, how to diagnose tension problems, how to adjust bobbin tension, tips and tricks to preventing rat’s nest thread syndrome… all sorts of things that a dealer ought to be able to walk and talk you through. I forget the specs on your machine but if it was a big-box purchase and not a dealer purchase you’ll likely have to pay for the class (they’re almost always free to new owners who purchase from a dealer). But the frustration reduction would probably be well-worth the cost of a class. Great job, by the way. They’re adorable. :)
Rosie says
also… for all those expressing frustration about their machines: there really is a world of difference between a machine you can get at a big-box store and a machine you get at the dealer, even if they’re the same brand. Dealer-grade Brothers or Singers (though I don’t think I’d ever recommend a Singer to anyone) or anything are better quality machines than the ones you can find off the shelf at Walmart or on Amazon.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone :)
xo,
s
Koliti says
Hi Sherry! What an adorable original project :)
Go to craftsy.com, sign in, click on online classes, scroll down to “Sewing Machine 911” – it’s a FREE class that covers everything from how to get started with your machine to troubleshooting to cleaning your machine. The video is quite lengthy, but full of great information – you watch it whenever you want, there’s no time limit/expiration date.
If your machine was given to you used, maybe a little TLC for your machine and some good technique/pointers for you will create a better experience.
For little items, like your tea bags – how about leaving the fabric in a larger square shape, drawing on your tea-bag shape with a disappearing fabric marker, then after you sew your seam on your drawn line, trim the fabric closer to your seam?
Kitty says
Thanks for the link to craftsy and their online class, this will be a great help to me :)
Heidi P. says
Awww! They turned out so cute :).
I just read a quote the other day that I think is applicable here: “Remember that your moment of embarrasment is someone else’s moment of entertainment.” Haha. This post was pretty entertaining! The middle makes no sense!
esther says
So since u now have sewing tips from here to the moon and suggestions about getting a different machine, that you have been quite insistent is not the problem, i am going to pig headedly ignore all that lol and tell you that the only reason I dont actually take a hammer to my machine every time i attempt sewing is because i have the simplest machine known to man, apparently designed with older children in mind – haha! – the $70 (at least in canada, possibly less in USA) Ikea machine. I love it!
esther says
p.s. and i didnt even have to assemble it! lol
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha!
xo,
s
LJ says
Why not take a beginner sewing class? I’ve been sewing since I was a kid, and it really is not the kind of thing you can just figure out by trial and error, but once you get the basic techniques, you can do so much.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah I should get on that someday!
xo,
s
Danielle says
in all your free time:)
Karyl says
What a fun addition to Clara’s kitchen! For the insides of the tea bags I was thinking you could sandwich a small piece of bubble wrap between tissue or rice paper (so that the tea bags make a kind of “crinkle” sound when played with), or you could stuff them with real tea leaves (or lavender) so that they have a great smell.
YoungHouseLove says
Fun!
xo,
s
Dawn says
I bought materials to make a fabulous breast-feeding cover about 2 months ago, and haven’t been able to get over my anxiety about messing it up to actually try. I don’t do well with patterns (I can’t understand them!) so I’m just going to wing it. The few things I’ve done that with, mainly a cell phone cover and rice heat bags, came out fine. But this just makes me nervous as heck! I really need to get on it, as I’m giving birth in 6 weeks, so I really need that cover, but I’m scared I’ll ruin it! Ack!
Lauren @ The Highlands Life says
Hahahaha. Laughing so hard about it almost just looking like a tampon. True true. Good for you for sticking with it.
I don’t have a sewing machine but so many of my friends see, knit, crochet and are just downright crafty so one of these days I totally want to learn. It’s pretty intimidating to think about the big picture though.
Cindy says
I have been sewing since I was ten years old. That’s over 40 yrs, folks. I thought I was the only one who muttered obcenities to my machine. It doesn’t motivate my machine to work better, in fact I think it just ticks it off. :) BTW, after years of making drapes, I have evolved into using hem tape for my curtains, just as you do. The one difference that I do that I think makes mine look better in my house is I use a white/cream lining fabric. I hem the decorator fabric first, hem the lining fabric second (two inches shorter than the decorator fabric and cut the lining fabric four inches narrower than the decorator fabric). Then sew the sides seams together, match the top edge and stitch ( you will have a two inch band of decorator fabric on the sides at this point which will prevent the lining from being exposed when finished.) Turn right sides out like a pillow case and use the ring clips as usual. This makes my curtains have a little more body and hang really well. Plus from the outside of the house it is a consistent white/cream view. I didn’t know if you might find this useful in your new sewing projects. Minimal cursing involved.
Riva says
I just want to say THANK YOU for this post because if my DIY hero doesn’t need a sewing machine to make her house affordably gorgeous then NEITHER DO I!
Natalie says
Me and sewing machines have never had a healthy relationship. I did a bunch of projects with my grandmother as a kid, and even a few on my own, but it continues to be a whole fear/anger/frustration thing with me. It’s nice to know I’m not alone, and there’s hope for me! Maybe one of these days I’ll invest in a sewing machine so I can finally hem my dresses and maybe even try a few craft projects.
Teri says
Major “rats’ nest” sewer here until I took a class last week and learned something new. When you start sewing, do you hold the two loose pieces of starter thread down tight (to the left,on the flat pad of your machine a few inches from needle) with a couple of fingers? It’s a magical solution!
Try doing so when you make your first couple of stitches. Let go of them for a sec to backstitch 2-3 stitches, then hold those loose threads down flat again for a couple of stitches when you start sewing forward. Then let go. Doing this helps maintain even starting tension on the joined threads so they don’t ball up. I swear–I get no more rats’ nests after learning this ONE simple step.
YoungHouseLove says
Love all the tips everyone! Thanks for sharing them.
xo,
s
Natalie / Half Asleep Studio says
These are so freaking adorable! I want some. And I love that you make things for her instead of buying… that is so sweet and so much more of a treasure for her.
Olusola says
Bought a sewing machine, unwrapped it, ruined a pair of pants, broke a needle, wrapped it up right back.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw man!
xo,
s
Andrea H. says
I’ve recently taken up sewing my own clothing – skirts and dresses – it’s calming to me and I get to make things that I really love! And sewing machines can be so finicky, just remember to take a deep breath, read the instructions and remember it’s supposed to be fun!
Tia says
Sherry, your sewing skills are getting better and better! Up next? Track suit for Burger, maybe? These turned out super well; adorable!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha!
xo,
s
Meredith Jones says
My Aunt gave me her old sewing machine, and for Christmas gave me a gift certificate for sewing clsses at a cute little fabric place close to my house.
I haven’t used them- I’m too scared to turn the machine with a needle attched ON!
I might sew my fingers together somehow…. I DO plan to dudegetonthat this winter though!!!
Great job Sherry! The little teabags are cute :)
Lauren says
Perhaps you can tell John or family that for your next birthday/Christmas/whatever gets you a gift you’d like some sewing lessons. Most local shops have them for beginners and intermediates alike. They key thing would be a class that allows you to bring your machine- then you can learn how to work with it and it can learn how to stop being a jerk to you. :) Either way, I admire your commitment and they look very cute!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! I like that idea :)
xo,
s
Bonnie says
I have a love/hate with my machine too, but mostly love. I learned from my mom to begin with, and then have supplemented it with lots of internet searches. I’m the only one of my friends that has/can use a machine, which I find sad/to be expected.
I LOVE your sewing posts because you’re so honest. And, maybe, because as much as I mess up — and I do — I’ve not yet created quite the mess of thread you have. (That’s supposed to be teasing, not mean.) However, you are so good at everything else DIY, I think it’s ok that you haven’t yet mastered this; I’m sure you will.
Amanda B. says
I made these for Christmas for my little one! I used scrap felt so the edges wouldn’t fray and I could just sew them together and used flannel for the “tags”…yours turned out super cute though. Love these for imaginative play and my LO loves making tea like I make. :)
Amy says
I think your love of fabric and decorating would translate into being a fantastic seamstress. If you are pretty sure it is not the machine, then my recommendation is to check out a few books from the library. Just things that will help point out basics (like sewing the wrong sides together, ironing your seam allowances first, having larger seam allownaces to make it easier to sew and then correctly cutting the corners). It would make LIGHT YEARS of difference and I think you would learn super fast. This book is really outdated and no longer even available but it helped me a lot: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1589231422/ref=rdr_ext_tmb I’m sure there are others like it.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Amy!
xo,
s
Ginger says
Sewing small things is a pain in the butt. I a teaching myself too.didnt have time to read all the comments but to save some sewing, I might have cut the fabric so instead of having two separate pieces, I would have one long one that I only had to fold/iron to make the bottom seam. Does that make sense? Then you wouldn’t have to worry about the bottom corners so much either,
YoungHouseLove says
Smart!
xo,
s
Barbara says
I feel your pain, but how cute are those little T-bags!
Joseph says
My wife made play tea bags out of felt.
I hate my sewing machine! It makes no sense. I know there are like three different dials that do three different things but I can’t figure out the combination that makes it work right and it changes every different type of fabric and thread. Grr.
Emily says
my mother in law is an amazing quilter and I have recently started to learn to sew, with some tips over the phone from her! I have mastered an envelope pillow case, and just started a much more ambitous strip quilt for my soon to be niece. I find it addicting in that once I start a project I want to finish right away (which is probably why my lines are less than straight…)
Amanda says
I saw these on Pinterest and made them a few months ago for my daughter, too. Someone else may have suggested this – I didn’t read all the comments – but you might have less aggravation, especially with little projects like this, if you give yourself larger seam allowances. Just cut the shape bigger and do a full 1/2″ seam when sewing. It keeps the edges from getting pulled into the bobbin area, which can cause the thread bunching you had and also mess up the bobbin tension. Once you sew, you can then cut the seams to be smaller. It also leaves more room to fold the edges in and allow yourself to do a nice top stitch. I loved this project – such a great way to use up scraps!
Heidi G says
I’ve always had a hate-love relationships with sewing machines. My mom has a nice machine (she never has problems with it); I always ended up with a bird’s nest-like mess of thread when I used it. My parents got me my own machine after I had kids and (knock on wood), I don’t have problems with mine. So I guess that’s a good thing.
Kitty says
Well done :) They’re really cute!
I am a sewing novice. I have yet to attempt any proper projects with it; the only thing I have done is taken length from dress straps and take a dress in a little. I want to try something a bit more advanced soon!
Michelle says
Sherri, you are too cute. This is a really great idea, and I’m sew glad you stuck with it! :) I wish I could give you lessons! My best tip is don’t sew late at night, because whenever I do I always have problems, get frustrated, and make mistakes!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha great tip!
xo,
s
Michelle R. says
I have been sewing for 30 years. I remember being so frustrated with my sewing machine I wanted to cry and hurl it out of the window. Don’t give up!! I think you have great potential and with that beautiful new house you will enjoy sewing. If you are ever in Charlotte NC again I will be glad to give you some pointers. I am sooooo glad that I kept it up – I honed my skills and turned it into a home business so I could stay home with my children. You are very talented and you CAN do it!!! Love your blog – look forward to it every day.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome and so inspiring Michelle!
xo,
s
Christa says
Those are so cute. Glad you stuck with it. I love sewing cute things for my kids, not that I do it very often. But I hate my machine. The thread in the bobbin keeps getting tangled. I thought my machine was broke and bought a new one, but that did the same thing, so it must be me. Ugh, the torture we endure for our kids, right? I can just picture you and Clara sipping tea, how adorable!
Priscilla says
You are such a good Mommy to sew Clara little tea bags for her parties. This post was super entertaining, and certainly brought back memories when I created numerous birds’ nests while sewing on an inferior sewing machine. It just may be your machine, as my high school graduation sewing machine never ever did work correctly, even after being professionally serviced. Now, I sew on a Pfaff machine and LOVE everything about it. It never tangles thread, sews through 6-8 layers of denim, and can handle even the finest of fabrics. After much research, I knew I wanted a Pfaff, but couldn’t justify the cost. Six years ago, my husband went down to the Pfaff store and bought me the one I’d been wanting for years, as a Christmas gift. The best gift I’ve ever received! Good luck on your sewing adventures. Way to stay with it.
Kristin F says
My mother, my grandmother, my great-grandmother and even my aunt all sew(ed) beautifully. I, unfortunately, did not inherit that gene. I have yet to master sewing a completely uniform straight line, with even stitches. But I also do not let that stop me, I figure once something’s hung the uneven hem won’t show anyway.
Heather says
Love your sewing posts..I have the same machine and we are finally on speaking terms..there were days where I wanted to throw it out into the street..I think your main problems might be thread or your tension or your bobbin holder..the metal thing that you pop your bobbin in..there’s a little screwdriver that comes with the machine that you can use to loosen it up with and that might help with your relationship with your sewing machine..I love sewing kids stuff with felt..so forgiving..doesn’t fray and you don’t have to worry about flipping stuff inside out and making it look neat and tidy..anyways..hope you and your machine blossom into a beautiful relationship :)
Joey says
These are totally cute! I think we have the same machine and I’ve also ended up with many a pile of thread (and a pile of curse words)! I think you’ve got your bobbin in backwards — it should turn clockwise when you pull the string. That should help.
YoungHouseLove says
Surprisingly I had that part right (mine has an easy diagram to be sure I’m getting it in correctly).
xo,
s
Cortney says
Oh boy, this brings back a memory: I was once a Tetley Decaffeinated tea bag for Halloween (like, forever ago). I wore a sack stuffed with shredded brown paper, a string around my neck, and a hand-painted (with wite-out!!) Tetley tag. Good god, I hope I didn’t resemble a tampon…
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaahahahahahah!
xo,
s
Connie says
Have you tried Craigslist or Freecycle as a source for a sewing teacher? You should to be able to find someone who would help get you started in exchange for your teaching them a skill you have or perhaps painting a small room for them. Once you learn the basics, sewing (like everything else) does get easier.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for all the tips guys!
xo,
s
Kimberly says
Good job, mommy! Those are great :) You made me laugh today with the feminine hygiene comment! :D
Tarynkay says
I apologize if this has been asked and answered. But have you thought of taking a sewing class? There are generally classes offered through community centers, sewing shops, and even Joann’s.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes I’d love to take one someday :)
xo,
s
bekah says
I have found that I really love to sew – even if I am not all that great at it. My niece’s second birthday party is tomorrow, and I took an cute vintage wicker picnic basket, made a tiny pillow, “mattress”, and quilt, then tucked a baby doll and two outfit changes for said doll in there. It turned out so cute! I have two little boys, and as much as I love to make super hero capes, it was nice to make a more girly project.
I have another niece with a birthday coming up – so maybe those little tea bags will make a show in her gift…
Tara G. says
Super cute idea and high five for the perseverance!
My mom who quilts with her eyes closed gifted me a beginning quilting book and a machine: “it’s a REALLY nice one!” While I have not been interested in quilting one iota, I have found it’s very utilitarian for various projects. My youngest has her 5th birthday next week and her party is a tea party, so I’ll be cranking out a table runner or two…or my mom arrives this weekend and perhaps she can use the REALLY nice machine to do it for me! :)
Donita says
CUTE!!! I bet Clara loves them.
I’m actually making myself a summer purse/bag today. It is in bright pinks, yellow, turquoise, lime greens. LOVE IT!!! If I can figure out how to post a picture here, I will. I have a blog, but don’t really use it. Maybe there!! :-P
Bran says
Okay, I used to get that same rats nest of thread when I got my new sewing machine. So frustrated I put it in a closet for 10 years before I pulled it back a few years ago and walked my happy self to a sewing class. I realized, with me, it happens when I do this:
1) start sewing with the thread tails too short. They get sucked back into the bobbin case and chaos ensues. My teacher said that make sure both threads are long, pull them to the back. Insert your fabric where you want it, lower the presser foot. THEN, lower the needle into the fabric all the way by hand. With your left hand, grab hold of those two thread tails, and hold firmly. When you begin to sew, pull oh so slightly to guide the fabric past the point of being sucked in (it’s more like a firm hold that moves, not really a tug or anything). After you’ve gone about a half inch, you can let go.
2) Stopping and starting. That can be fine. But what I was doing wrong was stopping with the needle out of the fabric, then just pressing down on the pedal to start again. It simply yanked things around and made a mess of snapped and tangled threads. Every time you stop, if the needle is not inside the fabric, lower it by hand again before you press on the pedal. World of difference (and a neater stitch line too).
Sorry for the novel, but I feel your pain. I hope either of these helps.
YoungHouseLove says
Great tips! Thanks everyone for sharing!
xo
s
Renee says
Girl, how are you having time to pack if you’re commenting, responding, moderating and posting selfies & other pics on IG and responding on there, too? Take some time for yourself!
YoungHouseLove says
Sometimes I think we work best under pressure. But not to worry, this weekend will be full of family time. :)
Also, selfies with frizzy hair and no makeup take .01 seconds. Haha!
xo,
s
Ally says
I would’ve bet mucho deniro Jboom was writing this post…
UNTIL, I noticed the use of the word “tampon-esque”…”power washer-esque” is more his style :)
Clara, may I have my tea with 2 sugar cubes, please :)
xox
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha!
xo,
s
bethblntn says
I have found out (though trial and error) that the thread does this when the bobbin is threaded to loose. It makes little notes and/or clumps of loose spots on the bobbin that result in mats when it tires to push though the fabric. This can also happen if the fabric is to thick and you are using the wrong needle size (like when I tried to push a small needle though leather -.-. Because your fabric doesn’t look to thick, I would check your bobbin and make sure it is spun tight. If not, and I know this is a pain, unwinds and then rewind the bobbin. Hope that helps :)
bethblntn says
knots*