How to Make Reusable Tea Bags

My son’s girlfriend just brought me some fantastic loose tea leaves from her recent trip to Vietnam. They smell and taste heavenly.  Because they are loose they need to be placed in a strainer or other device to steep.  I didn’t have one of those so I decided to make my own reusable tea bags.  How genius is this project?  I can use these tea bags over and over again and they are washable.  This is a super simple beginner sewing project that anyone with basic sewing skills can make in a jiffy.  This is also a terrific scrap busting project.  I, of course, used a remnant. 

The remnant that I chose was a thin cotton purchased at JOANN Fabric & Craft Stores but you could head to Hobby Lobby or Fabric.com to get exactly what you would like for your tea bag project.Check your scrap stash as well you may find something in there.  This post contains affiliate links that if you click on them and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  

What you will Need: How to Make Reusable Tea Bags

• 5 x 3 1/2″ piece of pre-washed cotton, muslin, or gauze
• 2 buttons
• 12-inch piece of cotton string or embroidery thread
• Standard Sewing Supplies

Step 1: Wash your Fabric

Before you start this project make sure that wash, dry and press your fabric.  Fabric contains sizing in it and you want to make sure that all of that sizing is washed out. 

Step 2: Add the buttons

Using a hand needle sew one end of the thread ( I used embroidery floss for mine) through the back of the button and back through the front.  Tie the string in a knot. Repeat for the second button on the other end of the string. 

Step 3: Create the casing

Fold the short edges of the fabric in by 1/8″ and press. Then fold down one of the long sides of your fabric by 1/4″ and press.  Fold again by 1/2″ and press again.  Lay your string inside the casing so that it centered.  Stitch along the casing edge using a 1/8″ seam allowance.  Make sure not to stitch over the string. 

Step 4: Stitch the Tea Bag Together

Place the tea bag right sides together and pin. Stitch the bag closed along the folded and raw edges without sewing over the string.  Back stitch at the top of the tea bag for support.  Turn right sides out.  Add your tea and insert the bag into a cup of hot water for a nice cup of tea.  

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