Tea Cozies

I posted awhile back on Tea Cozies, those delightful things that help to keep your teapot warm as you sip cup after cup snuggled under a throw by the fireplace with a good book...I digress. Anyway, I was asked the other day if I had a pattern for one of the cozies I pictured. I don't. But I've taken some pictures that hopefully will help anyone interested in making one.

Essentially, the cozy is simply two rectangles with elastic at the bottom and a ribbon drawn through at the top.

The rectangles are about nine inches by thirteen inches. They lightly filled with batting for insulation and are finsihed nicely so that the cozy is reversible.

The two rectangles are placed together with the wide side going horizontal to fit around the teapot. They are attached at the bottom with a thin bit of elastic.

The ribbon is threaded through a stiched channel about two inches from the top and pulls like a drawstring to tighten the cozy onto the pot.


The sides are left open. The teapot handle goes through one side and the spout through the out. Just tip it over and pour it out! This type of cozy is designed to remain on the pot as you pour. A nice touch, but do be careful if you have a teapot that drips as you pour as it will end up all in the cozy. (Guess you could use a dripper sipper!) My cozy is stained around the bottom from drips.

Here is a picture of the tea cozy I sewed last night. It just sits on the pot and is removed when you pour your tea.

Let me just say that again, "Here is a picture of the tea cozy I sewed last night." (Happy Dance!)

I am SOOOOO excited about this cozy. You'd have to know how much I have avoided sewing in the past to truly appreciate this monumental event. Let's put it this way: I cut out this, stuffed it, and hand stitched (poorly) most of it, um, two years ago, but never finished it until last night. I finally got my grandmother's sewing machine set up and the courage to use it. Yep. It took just about fifteen minutes, plus TWO YEARS to finish this. I went back over most of what I had done by hand and then finished it up.

Here's a peek at the inside.

It is lined with a plain fabric and stuffed with batting to help keep my tea warm. Hmmm...maybe I should put the kettle on, make a pot of tea and put this baby to use! Can you tell I'm excited?!? Woohoo! After all, January is National Hot Tea Month. Let's celebrate!

Dawn has a fun twist on the whole tea cozy idea with her darling little coffee cozies. I do enjoy a good cup of coffee as well. Wonder how long it would take me to make one of those. Oh, and do check out the link to the coffee corset cozies. Those are a hoot!

Can you believe it, Joanne? I am sewing!!! You've inspired me. (Good thing this was small. Seven years for a quilt is fine, two for a tea cozy is utterly ridiculous!)