tiny happy

making journal

Coffee cosyPlunger

 

So, I'm getting some things made for Christmas, and for the Christmas market I've signed up to do in our little town. I couldn't resist joining in with a 'proper' Christmas market- outdoors in the snow and dark, with candles, carol singers, lanterns and hot chocolate. At least, that's how I'm imagining it so I don't freak out about how cold it's going to be. Last week I promised I'd share some gift ideas each Thursday, so here's this week's one: a coffee-cosy/cozy/warmer thingy. I've included a tutorial in case you'd like to make some too. We are big coffee drinkers, and always use a French Press with one of these covers to keep the coffee warmer for longer. Let me know you notice any mistakes/strange things with this little tutorial.

You'll need:
piece of fabric measuring 5.5" X 14.5" for the outer layer
piece of fabric measuring 5.5" X 14.5" for the lining layer
piece of quilt batting or Insul-Bright or thick wool or similar for the inner layer, measuring 5.5" X 14.5"
2 buttons (i used mis-matched vintage ones, about 2 cms diameter each)
2 pieces thin elastic (i used 4mm wide), cut into 3.5" lengths
sewing machine and thread

Finished measurements:
Laid flat, the French Press Cosy measures about 5" X 13.5". It fits our standard, 8-cup (I think), glass Bodum coffee plunger that measures about 8" from base to lid.

Method:
1. Cut the three layers of fabric to the above measurements. I think quilt batting or Insul-Bright would be best for the middle layer of the cosy, but I can't seem to find either in my little town so I used an old, clean towel! In the past, I've also used thick wool fabric/blanket pieces. Feel free to get imaginative with the outer and lining layers- I like to use patchworked fabric for the outer piece- here I've used bits of Japanese linen, denim and wool from my scrap basket.

Cut layers

Supplies

2. Make a sandwich with the layers like this: place the batting down first on a flat surface, then lay the lining piece on top, right side up, then place the outer piece on top of that, right side down.

Pin

3. Pin around all the edges, leaving a gap of about 4" in the centre of one of the short ends of the rectangle, as shown above. Sew around where you have pinned, being careful to catch all the layers as you go. Reinforce stitching if you need to, then clip the corners. Turn piece inside out, and press with a warm iron.

Leave gap

Press gap

4. Fold over and press together the raw edges where you have left the gap. Fold the pieces of elastic into loops, and insert the ends into the gap, near the edges of where you have sewn. (like below.) Pin them in place.

Pin elastic

Sew elastic

5. Sew across the edge, securing the elastic loops as you do so. I'd sew this seam a few times, just to be sure the elastic is well and truly stuck in there.

Quilt

6. I like to do a bit of machine quilting on the finished piece, to secure the three layers together.
Then sew the buttons on to the other end (I use doubled-over thread to make sure they're really strong) to correspond with the elastic loops. You might need to try it on your French Press first, to see where they should be. And there, all finished!

(I can never stop at one. It's quite fun to match them to your friends' kitchens/crockery…)

Cosies

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47 responses to “hot coffee for everyone: a tutorial”

  1. kelly Avatar

    Love them! What a great idea. I need to use our French press more often, because it makes such a good cup of coffee. But my husband bought a fancy automatic espresso machine and it’s just so darn easy to push a button. 🙂
    Thanks for the great ideas, Melissa!

    Like

  2. julochka Avatar

    ooo, fun! i was just looking for the last little item for my back tack and i think that this is it!! thank you for the inspiration!!
    xox,
    /julie

    Like

  3. Pumpkinbear Avatar

    That is very cool. We only use a french press, but oh, how I love scalding-hot coffee!

    Like

  4. Ravenhill Avatar

    Lovely gift idea! Thanks for another wonderful tutorial! You are so sweet with us!
    ~Emily xx

    Like

  5. Diana Avatar

    Lovely! Been thinking of making one of these sometime. Very clear tutorial – thank you.

    Like

  6. Kate Davis Avatar

    This is great! I can’t wait to try it! Thanks for the tutorial. I would love to put a link on my blog if you don’t mind. 🙂

    Like

  7. janet clare Avatar

    I would hug you if I could! This has been on my list forever and now you have given me a great tutorial to follow. Thank you!

    Like

  8. lissilulu Avatar

    Very cute!
    I am going to be in a Christmas Bazaar at the college I attend and am thinking of making your French press cozy but smaller for disposable coffee cups that I see so frequently around campus.
    As always…lovely post. :o)
    Lori

    Like

  9. Karen Avatar

    you should make some of these for your etsy shop for those of us who can’t sew. 🙂 we need hot coffee too!

    Like

  10. ayse Yetis Avatar

    you know, that cross-stitched little purse in your etsy shop is just purrrfect. 🙂 The cross-stitches are so even and soothing. I really love your work.
    I used to cross-stitch when I was a little girl. But haven’t done it much in years.

    Like

  11. Jenny Avatar

    You have the very best tutorials! I can’t wait to try this one!

    Like

  12. allie Avatar

    beautiful! I’ll definitely be making one or two of these for our home.

    Like

  13. Thimbleina Avatar

    Love the tutorial. Good luck with the Christmas market, don’t forget your thermals

    Like

  14. Kat Avatar

    Oh, I wish I could drop into (your romantic notion of) that Christmas market! Pretty cozies, too!

    Like

  15. Jessicah Avatar

    Thanks for the great tutorial. It will make a great gift for Mum for Christmas. Too bad Dad prefers instant- he is always so hard to make for!

    Like

  16. Madli Avatar

    I have been looking at your blog for a while so I wanted to tell you that I like it a lot. I really admire how fast you could be when making something beautiful. I also like your style, sometimes it is very simple and that is what it makes it beautiful. And it makes me feel it must not be difficult (for me) to make. You are inspiring me.

    Like

  17. Izabela Avatar

    this is great tutorial, and lovely stuff…
    thanks for sharing!

    Like

  18. MamaG Avatar
    MamaG

    Brilliant! Just what I was looking for…my nice coffee always gets cold too fast:-) Thank you and the tutorial is perfect.

    Like

  19. gracia Avatar

    Thank-you for this, and enjoy that outdoor Christmas market with its candles and community spirit and beauty.

    Like

  20. Alison Avatar

    Ooooh I love this. Now I think I can finally make my husband something he’ll use!

    Like

  21. Jenni Avatar

    tutorial is very easy to follow, having attempted & failed doing one of these I realise what’s involved, you’ve done a great job Melissa.
    Market sounds delightful.

    Like

  22. Naomi Avatar

    You have an award, check out my blog to accept!

    Like

  23. Linnea Avatar

    Those are adorable. What a great gift idea. I love the fabric combinations you used, too – very cozy.
    xo,
    Linnea

    Like

  24. Lisa Avatar

    I love the coffee cozy. I wish I could see your booth at the Christmas fair.

    Like

  25. shelle Avatar

    That is a great cozy, unfortunately we drink our coffee to fast for it to be useful 🙂
    great tutorial, thank you for sharing

    Like

  26. valeda Avatar

    oh, perfect! guess what i am doing this weekend?
    thanks for the great tutorial, melissa!

    Like

  27. becca Avatar

    your fabric choices are really sweet.

    Like

  28. becca Avatar

    your fabric choices are really sweet!

    Like

  29. Péitseoga Avatar

    oh, must make one of these! now that i’m at home all day i do actually make coffee in a cafetiere and a cosy would be great for keeping it warm…

    Like

  30. Catherine Avatar

    Oh darn it, another thing to put in my ‘absolutely must make this’ folder….! At the moment I put my tea-cosy on which just perches ridiculously and doesn’t keep the coffee warm.
    Lovely pattern!
    Catherine

    Like

  31. La Wood Avatar

    Very nice tutorial, thank you for sharing!

    Like

  32. CESCLO2 Avatar

    Very nice, you like frenchy ????
    Bye

    Like

  33. Wendy Avatar

    These are so lovely! Thanks for sharing, I’m going to make one for my brother who’s a massive coffee fan.

    Like

  34. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    Thanks for this! I’m going to make coffee cosies for my Mum and Mum-in-Law for Xmas. And one for myself first, as a practice-run.

    Like

  35. kansas dermatologist Avatar

    The fabric is just so nostalgic. Thanks for a wonderful tutorial.

    Like

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    Like

  37. Cleaners in Croydon Avatar

    It looks very cute and cozy.I definitely will try this!

    Like

  38. Makayla Avatar
    Makayla

    I was wondering if it would be safe to put these through
    the washing machine?

    Like

  39. tinyhappy Avatar

    hi there, yes definitely- i wash mine all the time. 🙂

    Like

  40. alechianeathery@yahoo.com Avatar
    alechianeathery@yahoo.com

    Would you mind making a pattern for this project? Sent I’m new to sewing. I think this would be helpful for people like me.
    Thank, Alechia

    Like

  41. Yvonne Avatar
    Yvonne

    Just the tutorial I’ve been waiting for! My dear little french press now feels like royalty!

    Like

  42. allison gill Avatar
    allison gill

    I have just made one of these delightful covers, no more cold coffee for me, so simple and easy, but yet so effective, thank you so much!!!

    Like

  43. tinyhappy Avatar

    so glad you like it! : )

    Like

  44. Rebecca Avatar
    Rebecca

    I’ll be making this for my sister for Christmas!! Better get my skates on!

    Like

  45. anna jane Avatar
    anna jane

    This is so wonderful! Thank you!! I’m making one now as I type, and it’s just so fun to make and cute.
    xoxo

    Like

  46. tinyhappy Avatar

    thank you anna jane – im glad you like it!

    Like

  47. Brigade Bricklane Avatar

    Thank you for sharing this information and have a wonderful day and be happy in your life.

    Like

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