This project is a true collaboration with my daughter. Today is her last day of preschool and we are going to miss her teacher, dearly.  Her teacher loves coffee so we thought a coffee cup sleeve would be a good idea.  I was just going to make a generic one with some cute fabric and then I had a grand idea!  I had my daughter draw on some felt and then I embroidered her drawing.  Genius, right?

Supplies:

Felt

Embroidery floss

Needle

Elastic hairband

Button

Washable marker

1.  Cut two pieces of felt into the shape of a cardboard coffee sleeve.  You can go and get your own coffee sleeve next time you’re at the gas station or coffee shop and trace that (allowing 1/2″ seam allowance on all sides).  I also found a few templates online.

2.  On one piece of felt, draw your design using washable markers.  Eva wrote her name and added a flower, heart, and a butterfly.

3. Begin stitching your design using the embroidery floss and a needle.  I use a combination of stitches to add some variety to the design.  It will really depend on what you have drawn out on the felt.  Eva picked out every single color on this particular project.  I think she did a great job!

4. Sew a button off to the side.  Eva chose this button as well.  I attached it using embroidery floss and I tacked it down pretty securely.

5.  Get your second piece of felt and place them right sides together.  On the opposite edge from where you placed the button, place your elastic hairband in between the two pieces of felt.  Pin it in place so about 1/2″ of it is sticking out.  The picture below shows what it will look like after it has been sewn.

6.  Time to sew!  With your sewing machine, stitch around all four sides of the coffee sleeve leaving a 2″-3″ gap so you can turn it right side out.

7.  Once it is turned right side out, use a needle and thread to stitch the opening closed.

Eva wants to be an artist when she grows up.  I think she’s well on her way!

We’re working on a Mother’s Day project now.  The girls traced their hands on a piece of felt and we are backstitching around the outline.  If we have time this week, I’ll teach them french knots but I think most of the time will be spent finishing up these projects.

We’re going to cut out the handprint with pinking shears and stitch it to another piece of felt.  I think I might go and pick up some lavender or something to put inside and have it be a little sachet.

I’m making one for my mom.  Don’t  you think she’ll be super excited to get a hand embroidered handprint sachet from her middle-aged daughter?  I thought so, too.