CUP COZY

1. Using the quilt ruler and pencil, create a paper pattern that is a 2 1/2-by-4-in/6-by-10-cm rectangle, and cut it out with the paper scissors. Ideally use pattern paper that is semi-opaque, so you can capture any part of the fabric print you like. Enlarge the Coffee Cup Cozy pattern and trace it onto pattern paper, transferring marks. Cut out the pattern.

2. Using your rectangle pattern from step 1, rotary cutter, cutting mat, and quilt ruler, cut one each of the four print fabrics. Also cut three 11/2-by-4-in/4-by- 10-cm strips of the solid lining fabric.

3. Arrange the rectangles in a row so you like the mix of fabric prints left to right: we’ll call them A, B, C, D. With right sides together, stitch A to a strip of the solid lining fabric along a 4-in/10-cm side with a 1/4-in/ 6-mm seam allowance, then stitch B to the other long edge of the solid fabric the same way. Sew another strip of solid fabric to the other side of B, then add C, a strip of solid fabric, and finally D. Your four prints will be in order, neatly separated by thin strips of your solid lining fabric (see fig. 1 for an example of this arrangement).

4. Press your finished patchwork panel front and back with the iron, pressing the seams toward the solid panels each time. Following package instructions, fuse the batting to the wrong side of the panel. Topstitch along each edge of your solid fabric strips.

5. Pin the Coffee Cup Cozy pattern over the patchwork-batting panel and cut it out (see fig. 1) with the fabric scissors, and then cut a second cozy shape out of your solid lining fabric. Layer and pin the patchwork-batting piece and lining piece, right sides together, and stitch around the perimeter using a 1/4-in/6-mm seam allowance, leaving a 2 1/2-in/6-cm opening on the bottom edge. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam to secure.

6. Clip the corners and turn right-side out. Press raw edges under at the opening, pinning it closed, and press all edges flat. Edge-stitch around the perimeter of the cozy, including the opening, backstitching at the beginning and end of the seam to secure it.

7. Wrap the cozy around your coffee cup and mark where the overlap is. Separate your Velcro into pieces and edge-stitch one piece on the outside left edge, and the other piece to the inside right edge, so they line up for closing when the cozy is on the cup.

FRENCH PRESS COZY

1. Using the same rectangle pattern you created to make the coffee cup cozy, cut two rectangles of each of the four print fabrics for a total of eight rectangles, capturing any print pattern you’d like. Cut three 11/2-by- 71/2-in/4-by-19-cm strips of the solid lining fabric.

2. Arrange your rectangles in a row so you like the mix of patterns left to right: we’ll call them A, B, C, and D. Pair them with a second set of contrasting rectangles below, like a double-decker version of the coffee cup cozy (see fig. 2). With right sides together, stitch each of the vertical pairs with a 1/4-in/6-mm seam allowance. You can use any combination you like. Press the seams to one side.

3. With right sides together, stitch your first vertical pair of print rectangles to a strip of the solid lining fabric, along a 71/2-in/19-cm side, using a 1/4-in/6-mm seam allowance. Then join the second vertical pair of print rectangles to the other long edge of the solid fabric in the same way. Sew another strip of solid fabric to the other side of the second pair, then add the third vertical pair, a strip of solid fabric, and finally the fourth pair. The four sets of prints will be in order, neatly separated by thin strips of the solid fabric.

4. Press your finished patchwork panel front and back, pressing the seams toward the solid panels each time. Following the package instructions, fuse the batting to the wrong side of the panel. Topstitch along each edge of your solid fabric strips.

5. Cut a piece of solid lining fabric the same size as your patchwork panel (71/2 by 111/2 in/19 by 29 cm) and pin them right sides together. Mark the top center with a pin or fabric marker, and cut a neat 3/8-in/1-cm V at the mark out of both layers for the French press spout. Leaving one short side open, stitch around the perimeter with a 1/4-in/6-mm seam allowance.

6. Trim the corners and gently turn the French press cozy right-side out, smoothing the V. Press the raw edges to the inside 1/4 in/6 mm along the unsewn short side. Wrap the cozy around your French press and mark where the inner section of the handle is with pins (see fig. 2, page 97). Cut two 41/2-in/11-cm pieces of the elastic and fold them into loops, pinning them into the folded, unsewn edge of the cozy, inside those handle markings. (Mine measured 2 in/5 cm from the top edge and 3 in/7.5 cm from the bottom edge, but fit your cozy to your French press so it works well with your handle.)

7. Edge-stitch around the entire perimeter of the French press cozy, following the line of the V and stitching down the pinned section to catch the raw ends of the elastic loops securely.

8. Hand-sew two buttons to the other side of the cozy with needle and thread, matching the position of the elastic loops.

This project is excerpted with permission from Sewing for All Seasons: 24 Stylish Projects to Stitch Throughout the Year by Susan Beal and published by Chronicle Books.