Guys, I did it — I got the sewing machine out and made something special for Clara’s third birthday. It’s become a little tradition around here to create a handmade gift instead of buying one, since she already receives so many store-bought presents from family and friends. I even used fabrics from her monthly photo fabric stash, which I’ve used before for projects like a quilt, a table runner, a beanbag, and a birthday banner. Sewing for her feels personal and fun, and this year I decided to make fabric tea bags for her play kitchen.
The idea came from a fabric tea bag I saw on Pinterest. Clara loves pretending to make food, host tea parties for her stuffed animals, and mimic the way we have tea together. No tea party is complete without tea bags, so I thought fabric versions would be a perfect addition to her play set. There weren’t any clear instructions, so I improvised and figured I’d wing it — after all, practice makes better sewing.
First I cut small tea-bag-shaped pieces from ten of my favorite fabric swatches. From each fabric I cut two identical shapes, so although you’ll see ten shapes, there are actually two layers in each set for a total of twenty pieces. I also cut a long narrow rectangle from each fabric to make the little tag that attaches to the top of a tea bag.
For the string I used twine I had in my gift closet, leftover from previous wrapped presents. To add a bit of “tea” weight and texture I used cotton balls for stuffing — just a half of a cotton ball fills a tiny fabric tea bag nicely and keeps the size realistic for kids’ play.
I started sewing with a mixture of optimism and dread. My first attempt turned into a hot mess and became a casualty of my learning curve. After a few whispered obscenities and a short break, I tried a different approach: placing the right sides of the fabric together, tucking the string between the layers at the top, and sewing around the edges while leaving the bottom open to insert the stuffing and allow the string to exit. The technique worked much better.
After turning the sewn pieces right-side out I realized the shape needed a little refinement. With a half cotton ball tucked inside and the bottom folded and stitched closed, the pieces quickly lost their initial, more awkward appearance and started to look like miniature tea bags. To attach the tag I folded the small rectangle in half lengthwise, caught the string in the fold, and stitched the tag securely so it stayed in place.
Once I found a rhythm the project moved along quickly. In about ten minutes I finished a few more, and within half an hour I had nine finished fabric tea bags. They’re handmade and not perfect, but that adds to their charm. My sewing machine survived, and Clara now has a set of play tea bags that match her pretend tea set.
Clara especially loves them because she watches me have tea most evenings and many mornings. Now she can mimic the ritual and “sip” alongside me. Seeing her and her stuffed giraffe sitting down for a little tea party is honestly one of the cutest sights — and it makes the sewing frustrations worth it.
This project is a great beginner-friendly DIY sewing idea for anyone looking to make simple fabric toys or accessories for a child’s play kitchen. It requires basic supplies: small fabric scraps, twine or thin cord, a few cotton balls for stuffing, and a sewing machine or needle and thread if you prefer hand sewing. The result is an affordable, personalized toy that encourages imaginative play and can be completed in an afternoon.
If you’re trying to improve your relationship with your sewing machine, you’re not alone — the experience can be turbulent and anxiety-inducing at times, but finishing a handmade project is rewarding. Keep practicing, be patient with mistakes, and remember that imperfect handmade items often carry more personality and sentimental value than anything store-bought.
