Janome Skyline S9: Mother's Day Tea Bag Holder

I'm back with another project using my amazing Janome Embroidery Machine! I wanted to share something quick and simple, with so much room for customization! You can download and print out the Janome PDF instructions HERE.

I'm usually pretty good at gift ideas. There are a ton of things I want to buy for people, but usually way out of budget. Over the years I've been doing well with handmade gifts and my ultimate go-to is this tea bag travel wallet.

It started with needing a gift for my mom. She is an avid tea drinker- like 4-6 cups a day tea drinker. She gave up caffeinated tea a few years ago and has been hooked on only specific kinds of herbal. If you are a tea drinker, you know that most restaurants and diners have unlimited supply of coffee but can really lack when it comes to tea. My mom started carrying her own tea bags wherever she went, in a little plastic baggie. It was obvious she needed a home for her stash.

I made her a little tea holder, then started getting some requests for more! My sister was next, her tea bag holder was a Christmas gift. I have one in the queue for Drew's sister and decided to make his mom one for Mother's Day!

This has become such an awesome gift I wanted to share a tutorial so you can make your own- or gift one!

You will need:

Scrap Fabric, 1 Button, Piece of  Ribbon, Water Soluble or Erasable Pen/Pencil, Embroidery Supplies

Step One: Cut 4 pieces of fabric 5" x 7", one will be your outer, and three will be inside. If you are adding embroidery, cut one piece stabilizer, otherwise, cut one piece interfacing. (The stabilizer/interfacing will go on the outside layer, attach.)

Step Two: Embroider your front piece. Fold your front piece in half width-wise and lightly mark the piece in half. This will show you roughly how much of the front piece will show in the front of the wallet. You will only be able to fit a small amount of embroidery, but have fun with it! I used small lettering and small butterfly design in the machine. There will be a button sew onto the front, so keep that in mind when designing your front.

Step Three: Take two of the interior pieces to become pockets. Fold each one in half lengthwise and iron. Topstitch both pieces.

Step Four: Measure 1" up from the bottom of the last piece of fabric you have left. On this line, pin one of your pocket pieces. Sew with a 1/4" seam allowance.

Step Five: Take your second pocket and line it up with the bottom of your interior piece, below the first pocket. Sew in place.

Step Six: Mark the center of your pockets. Sew this line from the bottom up to the top of the pockets.

Step 7: Cut a 6" piece of ribbon or bias tape, pin to the center of your pockets. Sew with a 1/4" seam allowance.

Step 8: With right sides together, sew interior to exterior, leaving a 3" hole.

Step 9: Turn wallet right side out and iron wallet. Topstitch around wallet and sew the bottom closed.

Step 10: Fold wallet and position ribbon towards the front. Mark where your button should be sewn. Sew your button on, only going through first layer of fabric.

And you are done! Pair with a few boxes of tea bags, a cute travel mug and you have a great, easy gift!