DIY Tea Bag Favors

This project is perfect for tea lovers who want a creative and unique wedding favor. Here are two, easy ways to make homemade tea bags — one method requires some simple sewing while the second requires none at all. Package a set of the no-sew bags in a pretty box to give your guests or setup a Tea Bar with the empty tea bags you sew and a variety of loose teas for guests to make and take their own creations.

What you’ll need:
– Download tea bag tags
– Lightweight cotton fabric or cheesecloth
– Cotton thread or embroidery floss
– Loose tea (https://www.etsy.com/shop/teaforallreasons)

For the no-sew method:

Start with a 6″ square of fabric. Place about 1-2 Tbsp of tea (depending on what kind you use) at the top center. Begin rolling the fabric until you finish with the end in the middle.

Fold the roll in half and secure with a 12″ piece of cotton thread. Wrap it around and knot it tightly a few times to make sure it is secure. If needed, you can trim the top. All that is left now is to make a little tag for the end of the string, which I show later.

For the simple sewn method:

Start with 3″ x 2.5″ rectangles of fabric. You will need 2 for each bag. Pin them together and sew along three edges, about 1/4″ from the sides, leaving the top open. Be sure to double over your beginning and ending stitches. And don’t worry about fraying edges, I think they add to the aesthetic!

When sewing around sharp corners, I find an easy way to continue at the end of a line is to leave the needle through the fabric, lift the foot, rotate the fabric, then put the foot back down and finish sewing.

Next you will hand stitch the closure thread onto the bag. Starting at one end, thread the string back and forth loosely until you get all the way around. Be sure to not sew the bag shut, you’ll only go through one piece of fabric at a time.

Now you are ready to make a tag for the ends of the string:

Here is just one way of making tag. This applies to both styles of bags shown. I made my tags 1″ x 5/8″ rectangles and you can download my design here if you would like, or you can make your own customizing the art and colors to your wedding. If using my template, print it to size on the paper of your choice, I used a natural stock with some flecks in it. Cut out the tags along the crop lines and fold them in half. Apply a dab of craft glue or cover tag if using a glue stick, center the strings, fold and press until secure.

You can make your tags in a variety of shapes and colors and can also label them with the flavors. Another fun idea is to use craft punches in different shapes and different colored paper for each flavor, then make a key showing what shape is what flavor.