Summer of Sewing: Create Your Own Coffee Sleeve

Welcome back to our Summer of Sewing tutorials here at Inspired by Fabric! 

We'll be featuring regular tutorials as part of our Summer of Sewing series, all using our newest fabric lines that you can find at your local quilt shop! Our tutorials will include a chance to win a bundle of the fabric line being used, so make sure to enter each time!

Our solids are so silky and soft, and the colors so vibrant, that we can't resist showing them off again! This week we've created a jewel-tone palette from the Painter's Palette Solids collection that we're calling Fun in the Sun and used them to create a one-of-a-kind coffee sleeve. What makes it one of a kind? The quilting, of course! 

Our "Fun in the Sun" palette: Five brights plus a dark gray. 

Let's get started!

You'll Need:

1/8 yard each of five brights (Purple, Pencil Yellow, Lapis, Sangria and Turquoise)

1/4 yard of Grey

6" x 13" piece of batting

1 button

3" of narrow elastic

Fabric marking pen

Cutting:

From each of the brights:

Cut one 1-3/4" x 42" strip

From the grey:

Cut one 5" x 12" piece for backing

Cut one 1" x 42" strip

Make the Coffee Sleeve:

Note: Download the sleeve template here and print out. 

1. Trace the sleeve shape onto batting. Note that the template is for half the sleeve--you'll need to trace it onto a folded piece of paper to create the entire sleeve shape. 

2. Press the 1" x 42" grey strip in half lengthwise to create a flange. 

3. Mark a diagonal line on the batting for aligning your first strips. This line shouldn't be parallel to the sleeve edge. 

4. Lay your first strip along the marked line, making sure it covers the left edge of the sleeve. Lay the grey flange strip on top, matching raw edges. Trim excess from both strips, ensuring you've left enough to cover the sleeve shape. 

5. Pin the second colored strip on top, matching raw edges, and trim excess. The flange will be sandwiched between the two colored strips. 

6. Sew using a 1/4" seam allowance and press the colored strip open. The flange will rest along the first strip. 

7. In the same way, add another flange strip and another colored strip, making sure to completely cover the sleeve shape from top to bottom. 

8. Continue adding strips and flanges until the entire sleeve is covered.

9. Lay the paper template on top and adjust as needed. Trace around the template shape again. 

10. Quilt the coffee sleeve as desired. We quilted different designs in each colored section to add texture and interest. Note: You'll only need to quilt to the edge of the marked sleeve. The rest will be trimmed in the next step. 

11. Trim approximately 1/4" past the template edge. 

12. Trace this shape onto the remaining dark gray fabric and cut out. Layer the grey backing right sides together with the sleeve front. 

13. Fold the elastic piece in half and pin the raw edges to one short edge of the sleeve, so the loop faces inward. The elastic should be sandwiched between the right sides of the sleeve and backing. Stitch across the elastic several times to secure. 

14. Stitch around the edge of the sleeve using a 1/4" seam allowance. Leave an opening along the short end opposite the elastic for turning. 

15. Trim corners, turn right side out, and press. Topstitch 1/4" from the outer edge, which will also close the opening. 

16. Handstitch the button in place opposite the elastic. 

Enjoy your coffee and your beautiful new sleeve!

Click here to see all 84 of the Painter's Palette Solids colors.

For a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of our Fun in the Sun palette, make sure you follow us on the blog (options are in the right hand sidebar) and leave a comment letting us know you do, as well as telling us what quilting design you'd use on your coffee sleeve. Giveaway is open through Sunday, July 17th at 11:59 pm CST. We'll randomly draw a winner and announce it on the blog next week. Make sure we have a way to get in touch with you if you are selected as the winner!  

Congratulations to the winner of the red, white and blue bundle: Denny1600
We'll contact you for your mailing information!