Make a… cup pincushion
To strengthen the cup handle, you could place a length craft wire within the folded felt before stitching it up
Step 1
STITCH the sewing machine design in the centre of your aida fabric, using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch.
Step 2
STITCH the outline of your teabag twice onto the smaller piece of aida, leaving two blank squares between – this will give you a front and back when folded. Use the alphabet provided to add the word TEA, or a name or initials to the teabag. Fold the teabag in half, right-sides facing. Stitch around three sides, then turn to the right side through the opening at the top. Fold in the top to form a point. Tie a knot in the end of the white cord, push the end into the teabag, and then stitch up the top, holding the cord firmly in place.
Step 3
PLACE the stitched aida on the cup template provided and pin in place. Cut around the outer edge of the template. Repeat for the handle and the cup bottom using the blue felt, and the cup top using the beige felt.
Step 4
FOLD the top and the bottom of the stitched aida over onto the wrong side, and finger press in place. With right-sides facing, place the side seams together. Pin with a 1.25cm ( ⁄ in) seam allowance. Stitch the seam in place. Turn to the right side. Flatten the side seam.
Step 5
PLACE the felt bottom onto the cup and catch stitch around the edge of the circle to hold it in place. Stu the cup, and if you want to weigh the cup down, put a small bag of rice or dried beans in the stu ng. Tie a knot in the end of the white cord holding the teabag. Place the beige felt top on the cup and catch stitch around the edge, inserting the knotted cord end into the seam as you stitch.
Step 6
FOLD the cup handle, and with the dotted lines together, pin and then stitch down the seam. Reduce the seam allowance and turn to the right side. Flatten with the seam in the centre of one side. Position on the cup, with the seam facing the cup, and the ends of the handle folded inwards. Catch stitch the handle ends to the cup.