Tea for Two or Just for You! Free Tea Wallet Tutorial and Pattern!
Stitch up a quick tea wallet that’s sure to fit in any purse. No longer need you fret over the tea selection at your local haunt, with this handy tea wallet you always have a favorite tea at hand. This is a great stash buster project as it only requires scraps, an elastic hair tie and a button.
Tea Wallet Version 1
Tea Wallet Version 2
Supplies:
One scrap exterior fabric
One scrap interior fabric
One small scrap coordinating fabric
One scrap mediumweight fusible interfacing
Temporary spray adhesive
One 1” covered button (or 1” button)
Small elastic hair tie
Coordinating thread
Removable fabric marker
Cut
Download and print out the Tea Wallet pattern.
Cut out all the necessary pieces. Don’t transfer the markings just yet unless you have heat soluble ink.
Cut out all the necessary pieces. Don’t transfer the markings just yet unless you have heat soluble ink
From the exterior fabric cut one wallet exterior and one small pocket with pleats.
From the interior fabric cut one wallet exterior, two large pockets, one small pocket without pleats and the appliqué teacup saucer and handle.
From the coordinating scrap cut one appliqué teacup cup.
From the interfacing cut two wallet exteriors, one large pocket and one small pocket. Trim 1/8” from the edges of each wallet interfacing piece. Also cut one teacup saucer, handle and cup; don’t trim.
Fuse
Following the manufacturer’s instructions, adhere the interfacing to the wrong side of both wallet exteriors, the small pocket without pleats, one large pocket and the tea cup saucer, handle and cup.
Transfer the pattern markings.
Appliqué
Place the teacup saucer, handle and cup wrong side up on a piece of scrap paper.
Following the manufacturer’s guidelines, spray the teacup saucer, handle and cup with temporary spray adhesive.
Center the teacup cup on the wallet exterior fabric. Place the handle slightly under the cup’s side and the saucer slightly over the cup’s lower edge.
TIP: If you have a scrap of fusible web, you could use that to adhere the teacup appliqué to the tea wallet exterior.
Appliqué the teacup to the wallet exterior
Appliqué the teacup to the wallet exterior.}
Select an appliqué stitch on the sewing machine. Stitch around the handle and saucer perimeter first, finish the appliqué by stitching around the cup.
Pleat
Fold and press to create the pleats in the exterior pocket
Fold and press to create the pleats in the exterior pocket.
Create the small pocket pleats by folding along one of the innermost marked lines. Press along the line. If you’re using heat-soluble fabric markers be careful not to erase your other lines when pressing.
TIP: If you’re using water or air-soluble fabric markers, finger press the lines first. Then remove the markings as heat can sometimes cause these markings to become permanent.
Pleats completed.
Pleats completed
Align the fold you’ve just created with the line closest to it, press in place. Repeat these steps to create the remaining pleat.
Sew
Use 1/2” seam allowances unless otherwise noted.
Press the pockets once they are joined
Press the pockets once they are joined.
Place the small pocket pieces right sides together, stitch along the upper edge. Repeat to join the large pocket pieces. Fold the pockets right sides out, press.
Stitch 1/4” from small pocket upper edge. Repeat to stitch along the large pocket upper edge.
Following the manufacturer’s instructions create the covered button using the coordinating fabric scrap. Alternatively, ready your regular button for action.
Stitch the button to the small pocket exterior using the mark provided on the pattern. Layer the pockets over the non-appliqued wallet exterior piece.
Layer the pockets over the non-appliqued wallet exterior piece
On a work surface layer the interior wallet exterior piece right side up, the large pocket right side up and the small pocket right side up.
Baste the pockets together
Using 1/4” seam allowances, baste the pockets to the exterior piece.
Stitch the wallet exterior lower edges, catching the pockets as you go.
Stitch the wallet exterior lower edges, catching the pockets as you go
Place the pocket piece and the appliquéd exterior wallet piece right sides together. Stitch from the markings on the pattern, down around the pockets.
Trim the seam allowances to a scant 1/8” in the corners and 1/4” on the sides and lower edge. Turn the pockets right side out.
To make the flap, press the seam allowances toward the wrong side.
To make the flap, press the seam allowances toward the wrong side
Starting with the interior fabric, press the 1/2” seam allowances under on the upper edge and sides of the wallet exterior. Repeat to press the exterior fabric wallet piece.
Center the elastic hair tie
Center the elastic hair tie.
Measure the flap’s center and mark. Place the elastic hair tie under the mark, pin in place.
Stitch from the marks around the flap and upper edge using a 1/4” seam allowance. Be sure to catch the hair tie at the center mark. Press the seams, being careful not to let the iron linger over the hair tie.
Fold the flap down so that the hair tie just fits over the button. Press to fold the flap down permanently.
Fill with tea packets and toss in your purse! The pockets are large enough to hold a few sugar packets and a stir stick as well.
