Tea Bag Wallet Tutorial

I've been wanting to make myself one of these for a while - just because I think they're cute and a neat idea, and I think they'd make a great stocking filler gift!

It wasn't until I'd finished making both of these that I realised I'd made them so the closure is on the left side instead of the right. 

When I showed them to my younger daughter she said, "They're Japanese!!" (Japanese books open from the left!)

So here's how to make your own, 'Japanese' Tea Bag Wallet.

You will need two different fabrics, some elastic (I used a hair tie) and a button. I also used a left over scrap of appliqué fabric for the "T"

Cut 2 rectangles of your main fabric  26 x 22 cm (10.25 x 8.75")

2 rectangles of  inner fabric 26 x 7 cm (10.25 x 2.75")

First take your smaller rectangles - these will be your pockets.

On one of the longer edges for each piece, double turn the edge and stitch to completely hide the raw edges.

Now place these pieces face up on the top and bottom edges of one of your main fabric pieces. The double hems you just stitched should be facing the middle. Pin, then stitch around the 3 outer edges on each

Now to stitch the pockets.

Measure 3 pockets each 8 cm (3.25") wide. Mark with pins then stitch lines to form the pockets.

Take your elastic and fold in half. Place it on the top left side at the edge of the pocket. The folded elastic loop should be around 3.5 cm (1.5") long. Stitch securely in place.

Now take your other outer fabric piece. Fold it in half lengthways and place the pocketed piece below it like this. Now you can see where your middle panel will be on your outer fabric. This is where you want to stitch your button and if you want, your appliqué.

Now it's time to put your wallet together. Lay your two main pieces face up next to each other.

Place one piece face down on top of the other.

Pin then stitch around all four edges, leaving a gap in one side to turn the wallet right sides out.

After stitching. trim the corners before turning right sides out.

Iron the edges flat and the opening neatly closed.

Then top stitch all the way around all four edges.

To close your wallet, fold the bottom half up.

Then fold the right side in.

Then the left side over.

 Finally, loop the elastic over the button to secure.

There you have your very own Tea Bag Wallet!

Fill with six of your favourite Tea Bags!

I made another wallet with travel fabric and appliquéd a tea cup on the outside.

I plan on taking this one on holiday with us, with my favourite Earl Grey Tea Bags inside!

What kind of Tea Bags would you fill yours with?

For the free downloadable PDF version of this tutorial, click here.

If you liked this tutorial, I have over 100 Free Sewing tutorials for all levels of sewing ability and for all kinds of different things.

Take a look at My Free Tutorials Page.

I'll be linking this post to many of the fabulous linky parties whose pretty buttons can be found on the bottom of this page and direst links on my linky party page.