Whether you like your drinks hot or cold, you probably want them to stay that way. Follow along this step-by-step D.I.Y. to make a super-cute, customizable, insulating drink cozy. While, you’re at it, make a couple of extras for your friends!
- Neoprene or similar insulating fabric (approximate size 10” x 12” (25cm x 30cm))
- A Fat Quarter of a fun craft cotton (18” x 22”)
- 4” x ¾” (10cm x 2cm) Velcro (the scratchy side)
- 4” x 2” (10cm x 5cm) Velcro (the soft side)
- Fabric scissors
- Rotary cutter, mat and ruler OR ruler and fabric marker
- Thread to match the craft cotton
- The pattern (download our pattern here /sites/default/files/coffee%20cozy%20pattern.pdf, or create your own pattern using a paper sleeve from your favourite coffee shop – don’t forget to include an underlap!)
- An iron and ironing board
- A sewing machine with straight stitch and zigzag
Step 1: Using your pattern, cut one cozy out of the neoprene fabric.
Step 2: From one corner, cut your craft cotton on a 45 degree angle. We used a rotary cutter, but you can use a ruler and fabric marker to mark the cutting line and cut with scissors.
Step 3: Along the diagonal cut, mark and cut a 2.5” wide (6.5cm) strip. Cut a second strip the same width.
Step 4: Join the two strips together as shown above and press the seam open.
Step 5: Press the strip in half along the length with the wrong sides facing together. Set this strip aside. It will become the binding for the outside edge of the cozy.
Step 6: Using the other half of the craft cotton, cut 2 strips 1 ¼” (approx. 3cm) wide. Press each of the strips in half along the length with the wrong sides facing in. Call these decorative strip 1 and decorative strip 2.
Step 7: Place one of the decorative strip 1 along the face (front) of your coffee cozy. You will see the stitch work here. We placed it in a pleasing curve (if your curve is too severe, it won’t lay flat when press in place). Stitch it in place ¼” from raw edges using a straight stitch.
Step 8: Taking care not to melt your neoprene, using a drop cloth press the folded edge of your strip over the raw edge. Edge-stitch close to the fold.
Step 9: Place the second decorative strip on the cozy. We did a nice overlapping wave. Follow the same steps as you did for the first strip to apply.
Step 10: Take the wide folded strip that you had set aside. Cut off one end at a right angle. Line up the end of the strip with the bottom corner of the BACK of the cozy with the raw edges lined up along the bottom of the cozy. Stitch in place with a scant 3/8” seam allowance.
Step 11: Continue stitching until you are 3/8” from the end of the cozy. Leave your needle in your work and pivot your work 45 degrees clockwise. Stitch to the corner as shown. Leading down towards the corner of your cozy.
