Like many of you, I LOVE loose leaf tea. However, I'm always looking for cute and creative solutions to use my tea. These D.I.Y. tea bags are super cute. I think they would make amazing gifts! Here's how you can make your own...
Supplies needed: Coffee filters, Scissors, Sewing machine, Loose tea leaves, Stapler, Embroidery thread, Paper for tags (construction paper, old book pages, etc.), Optional: Spices (pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, ground ginger, etc.)
Step 1 - Cut two coffee filters into a rectangle. I typically just cut off the ridged part.
Step 2 - Stitch the filters together on three sides, leaving one of the smaller sides open.
Step 3 - Fill the teabag with the loose tea leaves. I use anywhere from 1 to 2 teaspoons, depending on the size of the bag and how strong you like your tea. (You can also add about 1/2 teaspoon of your favorite spices. Pumpkin spice is one of my favorites!)
Step 4 - Stitch the top of the tea bag closed. All four sides should be stitched now!
Step 5 - Fold down the corners, placing a 3-4in. piece of embroidery thread under one of the flaps.
Step 6 - Fold the tip of the tea bag down, and use a stapler to hold it shut. (You could also stitch this part if you wanted to.)
Step 7 - Cut paper tags and glue, stitch, or staple them to the ends of your embroidery thread.
To make your tea, let the tea bag steep in hot water for 3-5 minutes…and enjoy! xo. Amanda
*Amanda is one of my brand new D.I.Y. Contributors! Check my about page for a full list of contributors. I'm really happy to have added these ladies to my team so we can bring you even more inspiration this season! Oh... and I have a pretty new blog design launching very soon. I've been working on it since May, if you can believe that.... so excited to share. Stay tuned!
What an adorable little DIY! I love me some tea!
Posted by: Heather Marie | September 16, 2011 at 12:42 PM
oh my gosh that is so cute! I never would have thought to do something like this!
-meesch
http://www.aperfectkindofday.com
Posted by: meesch | September 16, 2011 at 12:44 PM
This is ADORABLE. Thank you for this!
Posted by: Genevieve | September 16, 2011 at 12:51 PM
This is super stinkin cute. Pretty sure I need to make them!
Posted by: Stephanie Drummond | September 16, 2011 at 12:55 PM
OO awesome, I'm totally going to experiment with combining tea flavors now. yes!
Posted by: Alexz | September 16, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Perfect Christmas basket present...paired with a cute mug and some local honey :) thanks!!!
Posted by: beetree | September 16, 2011 at 12:57 PM
yay! I always love your creative ideas Amanda. I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next!! :)
Posted by: Jessica | September 16, 2011 at 01:10 PM
This is too adorable! I will have to try this soon. Thanks for sharing!
Quick question: If we choose to staple the tea bags, will the staple add its own "flavor" to the tea, considering that it will be dipped in hot water?
Posted by: Elizabeth | September 16, 2011 at 01:11 PM
Oh amazing!
We got a lot of Rose & Violet flavoured loose teas in France but have yet to drink any because we lack the means to work with leaves!
Perfect!
Posted by: Rhi - SDiB | September 16, 2011 at 01:16 PM
Best idea ever! I'm definitely going to try that. A few cute tea places in my city only sell loose leaf, but I prefer tea bags...happy compromise!
Posted by: Jess | September 16, 2011 at 01:19 PM
I would love to try this, but I don't have a sewing machine. :( Would hand-stitching be sufficient, or would the tea leaves leak out?
Posted by: Amanda Cobb | September 16, 2011 at 01:20 PM
Q: Quick question: If we choose to staple the tea bags, will the staple add its own "flavor" to the tea, considering that it will be dipped in hot water?
A: I don't think so. Most tea bags you buy from the grocery store are stapled, actually! :)
Q: I would love to try this, but I don't have a sewing machine. :( Would hand-stitching be sufficient, or would the tea leaves leak out?
A: I think it would work if you did TINY stitches. It might be pretty time consuming though, for a disposable tea bag. XO!
Posted by: elsie | September 16, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Yay... lovely idea, I'll do it with a delicious English Breakfast I have :)
Posted by: Ana | September 16, 2011 at 01:28 PM
Aww now isn't that just the cutest way to drink tea?!? Love it.
Posted by: Jennifer | September 16, 2011 at 01:29 PM
now that is precious!
-grace
http://herumbrella.com
Posted by: grace | September 16, 2011 at 01:32 PM
Great DIY! These look like fun, I can't wait to try to make some! <3
Posted by: Mandy @ Miss Indie | September 16, 2011 at 01:33 PM
What a wonderful diy project! I am thinking of trying it out, but I wonder if I could make reusable tea bags, using the same idea...
Posted by: DIY girl | September 16, 2011 at 01:36 PM
WHY didn't I think of this? this is so brilliant! i love loose leaf chai in the mornings (not too much caffeine...but still some, since baby gets what i drink) so this would be awesome to do myself!
Smoking Crayolas Blogspot
Posted by: jen fuller | September 16, 2011 at 01:38 PM
I adore this DIY. So simple, but so perfect. I love tea and it's the perfect idea for gifts to fellow tea lovers! I'm excited to try with loose leaf from Teavana! Yum!
-Taylor
http://pocketfulloflace.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Taylor | September 16, 2011 at 01:43 PM
i LOVE this just cus!!!
#teafreak!
xo.
http://dropsofjupiterBLOG.com
Posted by: tiffany. | September 16, 2011 at 01:48 PM