By ALDONA BIRD
Newsroom@DominionPost.com
This is an ideal time of year to be drinking fresh herbal tea. Gather some edible plants (clover, yarrow, oregano, mint and more — just be sure to identify them properly), steep a cup fresh and hang the rest up to dry.
A reusable teabag can come in handy for herb teas or for brewing a cup of any dried loose-leaf tea. It’s a simple DIY project that is quick and easy to make, and if you drink hot or iced tea regularly, you’ll get a lot of use out of it.
To make a DIY reusable teabag you will need:
- Natural fiber cloth
- Thread
- Scissors
- Sewing machine or needle
- Fabric pencil (optional)
Be sure to use cotton, linen or hemp cloth without dye, preferably organic. Polyester and other synthetic fibers are likely unsafe to steep in hot water. Dyes may also contain chemicals unsafe to drink. Bamboo and rayon fabrics are highly processed with chemicals. Organic cotton, linen or hemp are most suitable for making items which will come in contact with food or drink.
Decide on the size tea bag you prefer. To make a large size (as shown in photos) cut a rectangle about nine inches long and four inches wide. You can also make a smaller bag. Avoid making it too small, as it will be harder to clean.
Zig-zag the edges of all four sides. If sewing by hand, whip stitch the edges. This will keep the fabric from fraying.
Using a straight stitch, hem the shorter sides by folding them down about a quarter of an inch and sewing to secure.
Using a pin or a washable fabric pencil, mark two half-inch lines in the center below and perpendicular to the hemmed edges. Following these marks, make button holes.
If your sewing machine has a button hole feature, use that. If it doesn’t or if you are sewing by hand, you can simply cut a slit where you’ve marked and whip stitch tightly around the edges of the slit.
Fold your rectangle so the hemmed edges are together, right sides facing. Sew along the two-side edge (not the folded or hemmed sides).
Turn the bag right side out, and it’s ready to use. Fill the bag with tea or herbs, then thread a chopstick or other food-grade stick through the button holes to balance across your mug. Alternatively, thread a natural fiber ribbon or twine through the holes to drape over the side. Add a cute weight to the end of the ribbon if you want, to help keep the bag balanced.
Buying tea in bulk or making your own and using a reusable bag is a great way to cut down on waste — many single-use teabags have plastic content, and many also include staples, string and paper.
A DIY teabag can also be a sweet gift, especially when filled with your favorite tea. To touch the heart of a loved one who doesn’t live close, mail this combo along with a note saying you wish you could spend some time over tea with them, but since you can’t, you hope they enjoy this brew.
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