Ladybug Tea Cozy Kit

Description

The Ladybug Tea Cozy Kit makes a perfect addition to your kitchen or to help steep that pot of tea when serving your company with the ladybugs wandering among the cherry blossoms. It is approximately 12″ wide by 10″ tall and fits medium sized tea pots. It is constructed using double layers of felt to provide the extra insulation to help the tea steep just right.

We have had some customers buy extra green felt and add a strip between the front and rear sides to make covers for all sorts of things – can opener, toaster (unplugged of course), cookie jar (to hid it from the kids – which didn’t last long), sewing machine, and more.

Everything you need to start is right in the package including precision cut wool felt, floss, a sewing needle and instructions.

Rating: Apprentice – 4 Hours

This product is Made in the USA in our Shop in Colfax, California.

Instructions

1. Blanket stitch the tree branch to the green base using black floss. Do not stitch outer edges of the green base. Add grain on the bark as desired.
2. Pin then blanket stitch the ladybug bodies in place following the box photo. Blanket stitch the red wings to each ladybug. Add three French knots on each wing. Using a chain stitch add their feelers. Make eyes using French knots with cream floss.
3. Stitch the flower petals in place with three straight stitches making each blossom.
4. Backstitch the ladybug trails as desired.
5. Add a second cozy base to form the backing and blanket stitch the bottom edge.
6. On a third cozy base repeat the process for the back side of the cozy.
7. Blanket stitch the heart using green floss. Add veins using a back stitch.
8. Add the ladybug bodies, wings, French knots, eyes, trails, and flowers following the same steps as the front.
9. Add a second cozy base to form the backing and blanket stitch the bottom edge.
10. Stack the cozy bases (4 layers) together and blanket stitch the rim through all four layers.
11. Add flower petals to each green penny to make two handle assemblies.Pin a penny/flower assembly to each side forming the handle, blanket stitch in place.

Our wool felt is Made in the USA from wool grown in the USA.  It is a blend of 35% wool and 65% rayon.

Why A Blend? 

• Our goal was to have a blend that is close to the wool/cotton blend which has been in use for hundreds of years through out the world.
• The wool/cotton blend was favored over 100% wool or 100% cotton as the combination provided much better service
  • The wool provided strength and warmth while the cotton added breathability and softness to touch.
  • It was an ideal combination for all kinds of weather and purposes.
• Rayon and cotton are almost identical with cotton being a little bit softer and rayon being more silky or shinny on the surface.

How are Rayon and Cotton Different?

• Rayon is made from cellulose, a carbohydrate plant substance, derived from wood and wood pulp which is then made into fibers.
• Cotton is made of cellulose fibers from the cotton plant.