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:
Katie says
So cute. Did you think of using skinny ribbon for the string? The finished product is cute but if you made more or tried again ribbon might be easier to sew, colorful and less tampon like.
YoungHouseLove says
Never even thought of ribbon! That would be cute too, although string seems really tea-like (as well as tampon-like I guess, haha!)
xo,
s
Courtney says
I laughed so hard when you compared it to a feminine hygeine product! My three year old son looked at me like I was crazy…
I’m AWFUL at sewing. I’ve tried I don’t know how many times and have found sewing machines just make it worse, so I hand sew whenever I HAVE to… and let’s just say that’s not one of my talents. We bought an old sewing machine for $3 at an auction at the end of last summer and I’ve refused to use it because I’m certain I’ll break it. My hubby on the other hand can sew amazingly when he actually takes the time to do it. I’m so jealous because I want to sew so badly but can’t and he doesn’t care to but can! And Pinterest just taunts me with all these cute projects that crafty mom’s make… BLAH!
But your tea bags are gorgeous and it’s such a cute and fun idea! :)
Stephie says
I’m lucky that I don’t have little ones yet because my expletives can be heard all throughout the house when my sewing machine starts acting up. I call my mom crying and ready to kick the sewing table over. Luckily after I’ve calmed down and (eventually) figure out what the problem was, I start to really enjoy my sewing time! Totally agree that when I’m done I am super happy I stuck with it and at least got a little more experience with the sewing monster.
Tangee Davis says
I am with you on the evils of using a sewing machine!
The last time I tried to sew something was around Halloween. I was attempting to turn a dress into a costume. I managed to break 4 sewing machine needles, tangle the bobbin thread countless times, and sew the front of my costume to the back. Haven’t touched it since.
Managed to salvage the costume with fabric glue and sewing some stuff by hand.
Lesley says
I am with you with the obscenities while using the sewing machine. Only I am not usually whispering :)
Corrie @ Little House On The Update says
Those are really cute! You have far more patience than me- I woulda Hulk Smashed.
Kelly says
Hulk Smash! Hilarious! Thanks for such a wonderful blog! Much Love!!
Kimberly says
Haven’t read all the comments, but to make your corners crisper, you need to clip them on a diagonal, but be sure not to clip your stitches. Then use something thin like a chopstick to push out the corners. Just a thought for your next project. And, sewing tiny things can be difficult even for an experienced sewer.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tips everyone!
xo,
s
Danielle P says
Clara NEEDS this now!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/151618258/6-piece-vintage-lemon-yellow-plastic-tea?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_promoted&utm_campaign=vintage_low
YoungHouseLove says
So cute!!
xo,
s
Michele says
When I got to “feminine hygiene product”….I almost spit out my tea. LOL Thanks for the laugh!
And they came out perfectly!
Calli says
It’s so funny you should post this. I also was inspired (Pinspired?) by that pin and made some tea bags this week. I can’t wait to give them to my little girl friends. http://www.calliscrossing.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/diy-fabric-tea-bags.html
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo,
s
Paula M. says
How adorable! Love the colors, so pretty (and your descripti of the challenge of making them cracked me up).
I feel your pain about the sewing machine. I can’t sew for beans. I don’t own a sewing machine, and I used to sweat even over hemming jeans and such by hand. (I sometimes resorted to the iron-on hemming tape for some things.)
The greatest day of my non-sewing, clothes-buying life was when I realized some years ago that the trend of stores selling cropped pants lengths meant that, at 5 feet tall (yes, 5 feet), I could wear off-the-rack crops as full-length pants, with no hemming.
Huzzah!!!!! No more hemming for me!
Adriane says
Hi guys!
I sew this lovely baby/toddler shoes (chimababyshoes shop at etsy) and there’s not a single day that I don’t want to throw my sewing machine out of the window. It’s always about tread, so I’m paying double attention to that lately. In the end of the day we (me and the sewing machine) are good friends again…
xo
Adriane
jenn says
Cute, cute, cute! I’ll spare you another set of buy a more expensive machine ( I use a walmart Brother machine, and have for years!)and the don’t use old thread (it’s true though ) and just give you my favorite tip for projects that need crisp, clean turn points (corners if you will) … use a chopstick to make the cornerns poke out- after you sew and turn the project right side out just stick the pointy end of a chopstick inside and poke the corners and voila…crisp pointy corners-not sanitary product like at all! :) Love this idea and will be making a sweet little one some of these to go with her bday tea set I just bought!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip :)
xo,
s
Tara says
I read above that you’re using old thread. That’s likely your problem. Bad, cheap or old thread can REALLY foul up the works. Go to a fabric store or Hobby Lobby & buy some new all-purpose thread. I got to where I was as much a thread snob as a fabric snob & started buying the high priced stuff(high priced for thread is $5 for a spool instead of $1-2). That should help things out a lot. Also, always make sure you’re putting your presser foot down & you aren’t pushing or pulling the fabric through, just let the feed dogs run it through at their own pace.
Cassi says
This sounds exactly like when I sit down with my sewing machine! Threats and obscenities abound!
Michelle says
There are two ways to fix a sewing machine that’s giving you trouble: 1. Percussive maintenance (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percussive_maintenance) and 2. Take it out back with a baseball bat an deal with it Office Space style. Also works with printers. ;-)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahahahaha!
xo,
s
Becky says
I despise sewing. I always have. In high school, I used to throw my projects across the room in frustration. Now, I refuse to sew unless my sewing goddess sister comes to save my day.
Annie R says
What a fun and thoughtful Mom you are! And now you have a great story to tell sweet Clara about how the tea bags came to be! I tell my students “you don’t have to know how to do everything, but you do need to try!”
Also- fun thought: you could get one of those kits where you and Clara could paint your own tea cups ( I think you bake them after to cure the paint). It would be such a fun touch.
Great job sherry!!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s such a fun idea!
xo,
s
Lisa in IL says
first check your tension for your machine (how to in the instructions) seriously it looks like an issue. second double check you are threading the thread through the top correctly – I sewed for almost an entire frustrating year on my brother before I realized I wasn’t threading it correctly. finally make sure you are using decent thread and the correct needle for the type of fabric. Honestly sewing shouldn’t be this stressful.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for all the tips everyone!
xo,
s
Megan says
Haha! This post cracked me up because I am the SAME way about sewing. I love creating things and being crafty, but most of the time I’m at my machine I’m scowling and going, “Why the heck did I decide to make this?!?!” But then when my project turns out (which only happens about 2/3 of the time) I decide it was worth it enough to take another whack at it next time.
Oh, and I love the teabag idea! I’m going to have to remember that for when my daughter is old enough for a play kitchen.
susan akers says
You are a good mom! I would have just given her real tea bags! haha!
jessica says
These are adorable!!!
Whenever my machine gets crazy on me I re-thread it. Fixes the issue 99% of the time!
Rachel says
I feel ya! But now that you have a two story house you can drop it dramatically out the window!! lol
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo,
s
Chebrutta says
I feel your pain, Sherry. My first sewing machine and I? We did not have a good relationship. There were lots of rats nests. There was a lot of seam ripping. And there was an obscene amount of obscenities, which did not involve my indoor-voice.
I thought about dropping kicking it to the curb but didn’t want to pay for an ER visit.
Seriously, like 5 years later, after it had gathered dust and multiple hoodoo curses, I found out via Amazon that there was a misprint in the instruction manual, and I’d been using the WRONG SIZE BOBBIN.
I bought a new machine anyway. And now I love sewing. With straight lines and everything.
Also, there’s tons of awesome blogs to help you wrangle Oh Brother into submission. You know. When you have free time. (I jest.)
Naomi says
I’m not going to read 400+ comments to see if someone already said it, so I’m probably being redundant, but I think you may be threading the bobbin incorrectly. Also, are you holding the beginning of the thread before you start sewing? Sometimes it can pull in, then down into the bobbin mechanism and cause huge tangles.
Just an idea…
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tips!
xo,
s
Jennifer says
I just got a sewing machine for my birthday/Mother’s Day present! It took me hours to figure out how to thread the thing, but I was like a dog with a bone. I stitched one line and called it a day after that, lol. I’m going to try a pillow next. Ambitious? Probably, but the girl on the youtube video makes it look so easy. ;)
Laurie says
I have the exact. same. relationship with sewing you do – thank you for sharing so I know I’m not alone. But no doubt in Clara’s eyes you will be a superhero for making something so awesome!
Meg Sluyter says
Sherry, I used to have the same brother machine, until about a year ago when we were moving and it fell out the bottom of a box and totally broke. Anyways, I bought a new one (it’s a brother but it’s the project runway one and I totally love it) and I stopped having all those rats nest problems that I had with the other one (the one that’s the same as yours). I could never get that old one to sew without having issues, so maybe it’s not you. Or maybe we both just have issues, who knows :). I do know I don’t have that issue (ok, most of the time) with my newer brother though.
I also really love these tea bags, such a cute idea for the kids kitchen. Sorry for the long comment, just thought you might like to know, it may not be you :). Take care!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Meg!
xo,
s
Amy Mann says
Sherry –thank you for the laugh-out-loud post. It reminds me of my younger days, struggling with the sewing machine but determined to GET IT DONE. When you get a chance, please post a picture of Clara having a tea party with her giraffe. My 2 year old granddaughter’s faithful companion is also a stuffed giraffe :)
Launa says
Laughing out loud!!!
Erica says
Way to persevere! About a year ago I made a felt birthday cake and tea bags for my friends daughter for her birthday. For the tea bags, I used mesh type fabric that you could see through, and cut up little pieces of felt to stick inside for the tea leaves. I wish I would have taken a photo – they turned out super cute!
Shawna says
I love how you discuss tampons so openly! My first real laugh of the day! :)
Katie says
This is so cute!!! I love the pops of color in all the fabrics and how it ties in with everything else you’ve gotten for Claras play kitchen set!!! I love this idea but maybe next time just fold the fabric in half, saves a step of sewing and may even make it look less like a tampon! (Which had me LOLing BTW-haha!) Hope it helps:)
xo
Katie
carla says
Actually did some sewing projects earlier this week – new covers for my outdoor pillows and currently working on a new sling for my sling chair. Pattern matched at the sides (big bold stripes, so easy) and zippers at the bottom (haven’t done a zipper in years, so was surprised they came out right just by very carefully, one step at a time, following the directions in the package.) Learned to sew as a kid from my Mom, and took a few classes as an adult when I got my machine just to brush up on laying out a pattern and the basics. It’s a skill worth developing and, like riding a bike, once you get it, you won’t forget it, just maybe get a little rusty if you don’t do it all the time but the easy stuff will come back with minimal practice.
Lorelei Reedi says
don’t worry honey…time and experience cured me of the throw-it-out-the-window syndrome! you will get better…and the ‘design” phase is always the hardest…take it slow when figuring out the “how” of the project…even draw yourself a little picture…for example the teabag shape could have been easier on you if you had made it like an ‘inkblot” because the shape is symmetrical…you could have made a rectangle with the “flat roof” shape on each end and simply folded it in half…lined it up, roof to roof, folded under the raw edges , jammed in the cotton ball and the string and top-stitched 3 sides, eliminating several steps…OR unfolded a real teabag to see how it works, and folded the fabric that way, and just top stitch across the top…you have an entire community at your beck and call…next time ask us and you will get a lot of help I promise!
Cindy says
“a feminine hygiene product” BAH haha!
I’m sorry to rub it in, but I’m a little relieved that I finally discovered one thing I can do better than you. haha But they turned out so cute, and Miss Clara will have lots of fun with them. You’re a good mommy, $herdog.
xo
Stephanie says
I’m aiming for a peaceful coexistence with my sewing machine. We met in December, 2012 and so far I’ve handled a number of rectangular projects – a dog bed cover, adding thermal lining to some Target drapes, and making cute (if I say so myself) kitchen café curtains.
I’ve promised my mother-in-law that I will not “gift” her with any of my creations. My own mother already intuitively knew that.
Jayne says
Thankyou for the laughs reading this post and comments! I’m only learning to do a few basic sewing projects and enjoy the finished products but oh boy can that thing be a mood changer. My poor husband takes one look at me sitting in front of it and pretty much grabs his keys and runs for the door. Lol. X
Rhiana says
I have a Brother sewing machine too and i swear it eats bobbins. I don’t know what I am doing to the machine but I end up with a mess of thread just like yours. I fight tooth and nail with that machine and expletives just flow freely out of my mouth. It is NOT my zen but I for some reason I keep at it. I saw the tea bags on pinterest and I thought they were super cute. I might hot glue mine so I don’t have to take out my Oh Brother!
Nicole Marie says
I’ve read some of the comments, and while I think that the sewing tips are great, I love you less-than-perfect tea bags. One day, when Clara is your age, she will read this blog post, remember those sweet little tea bags her mother made with love, will be reminded that she was so cared for and loved so dearly by her parents, and she will tear up.
You’re making beautiful memories she’ll never forget, regardless of how imperfect they are.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Nicole! That’s so sweet.
xo,
s
Amanda says
It looks like you didn’t give yourself a very big seam allowance. I find that, when I’m sewing small things, it’s easier to cut a larger seem allowance and trim the excess after sewing. Also, do you know about clipping corners? It makes corners look more crisp when you turn the shape right side out again.
Totally unrelated but I’ve wondered about this foot some time-you seem to always have rugs in your kitchen. Are you especially tidy cooks or do your rugs get dirty? My kitchen floor is always a mess after I cook a big meal. I don’t think a rug would last in my kitchen more than a couple of weeks, tops, before it became irreparably stained.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the sewing tips! As for the kitchen, stuff drops around the counters but the rug is in the middle of the room, so since we cook in the perimeter of the space it stays pretty clean for the most part :)
xo,
s
caroline says
I think it would have been easier, quicker, & less frustrating to just sew by hand…sometimes doing things the old fashioned way is better!!!
Iforgotmyusername says
Hey John, just between you and me, a great birthday/christmas/Mother’s Day present idea for $herry!! Sewing lessons!! And if you were extra clever, you could find someone who comes to your house so she doesn’t have to drive there!!! Awesome.
Hey $herry, I think it’s super sweet that you attempted this gift for Clara. Home made gifts are so special. xo.
The greatest part is that it’s come from your heart and because she’s still so little, she won’t see the flaws and the choppy seams. She probably thinks they are the greatest and that’s what matters, not that they look like the sewing machine chewed them up! Just don’t stick em on pinterest haha!
Michaela says
Lovely teabags, what a neat idea!
I love to sew, my relationship with my machine is fine because I know how to use it! :-/ (Sorry, I’m honestly not having a go at you, but the term “it’s not the car, it’s the driver” springs to mind…). Go easy on your poor brother! ;-)
Trish says
Very sweet and love that you have such imagination. I can’t sew anything without a pattern. My mother taught me on her flatbed Necchi (it was pink) from Italy. One thing you can try, if it fits in with what you want, is to check out your local Jo-Ann’s to see if they hold sewing classes and ask the teachers to take a look at your tension. No, you don’t need the class, but they have lots of experience with different machines, as most people bring their own to sewing classes, and maybe they would take a look. Just a thought. Or try your local sewing repair shop, but make sure they have a good rep. Otherwise they just mess things up more! No matter what, please don’t stop trying, sewing is really satisfying. I have sewn everything from clothing to fully lined draperies, and have sold doll clothes on Etsy. I just can’t stop sewing. Never miss your blog, it is great inspiration, thanks.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for all the tips everyone :)
xo,
s
Laura & the Shell says
Good job, Sherry! I’ve been wanting to make some of those for my daughter too! I’m pretty sure it would take me all afternoon though. :)
Whitney says
OMG what a comparison! Thanks for the laugh! I have made some things that come out looking like they shouldn’t!
Carlene says
I whipped up 60 of these for my best friend’s wedding (actual wedding, not a movie viewing.) So easy and so fun!
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/946656_10102412839322588_357632102_n.jpg
YoungHouseLove says
Wow!
xo
s
Sabrina KF says
Hilarious! I love that people can just sit at a sewing machine and whip things up on a whim. How creative! I have a couple girlfriends with an etsy shop that make little tea party cloth napkins (not the feminine hygiene kind!). What a great idea to do homemade gifts, love it!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/53383407/tea-party-napkins-4-sweet-pink-birds?ref=shop_home_active