Tea Wallet

Aside from writing and reading, I thoroughly enjoy sewing, especially useful little projects that can be whipped up quickly. This Tea Wallet fits in that category perfectly. I was trying to think of something little to give my sister for Mother's Day.  She's as bad as I am when it comes to carrying tea bags and sweetener around in her purse. I had seen one tea wallet for sell in a catalog some time ago but it was much larger than what I was looking for. So, Saturday night (the day before Mother's Day) I decided to make my own. This is the result. Unfortunately, the photos I have are from the prototype and is rather messy, but it will give you an idea of the placement.

Draw pattern. Be sure to add ¼ inch for seam allowance.

Cut two rectangles  11” x 6 ½”  (adding ¼ inch for seam allowance). These rectangles can be the same or contrasting as one will be the lining.

Cut two rectangles 3” x 2” (adding ¼ inch for seam allowance).  Cut from whatever you choose as the exterior fabric. This will be the flap.

Small square of Velcro®

With right sides together, sew the two small rectangles on both long sides and one short side. Clip the corners and turn right side out. Press.

With right sides together, sew the two larger rectangles together on two short sides and one long side.

Insert the flap between the layers of the larger rectangles, raw edges meeting. (The flap will be inside at this point.) Place it so the bottom edge if the flap is three inches from the bottom.

Stitch, leaving a small opening for turning. It’s best to leave the opening closer to the side that does not have the flap.

Clip corners. Turn right side out. Tuck in the raw edges from the turn. Press.

Fold bottom up two inches on either end. Pin in place. Edge stitch on long sides, careful to keep the flap free and to catch the pressed edges.

Cut a small piece of Velcro ®. Sew the soft side to the inside of the flap. The stiff side will be sewn to the outside of the wallet. To figure placement, close the wallet, wrap the flap, leaving some slack, and pin or mark where the stiff piece should be.  Stitch in place, careful not to catch the inside pocket of the wallet.

Fold the wallet in half vertically and mark the centers. Stitch from the folded edge to the edge of the pocket. Repeat on the opposite side. 

Add tea bags and sweetener close it up and pop in your purse. (I also added a coffee bag, just because I could!)

Here are a few photos from my prototype – complete with errors. Once I worked it out, I made several for gifts and gave them away before thinking to take photos. I learned the curved edge on the flap wasn’t going to work for me and the rectangles were much better. 

~ Tara

Placement of Velcro(R)

Tea Wallet opened

Closed and compact