Just in time for Earth Day you can make your own reusable fabric coffee cup sleeves (See video tutorial below). It’s not always easy to carry your own mug with you everywhere you go, but you can easily slip a fabric coffee cup sleeve into your purse or onto your wrist.
Did you know that a coffee drinker can save up to 10 pounds of paper a year just by using a reusable sleeve? That makes your fabric coffee cup sleeve stylish and green!
I like this project because it’s great for using up leftover fabric scraps and stray jewelry charms. It’s also quick and easy because you use fast2fuse fusible interfacing (available from C&T Publishing).
Warning: Once you make one, you might not want to stop. Look for fun coffee-themed charms. Try a coffee-themed print or other special fabric. The green one second from the right is French Roast, made from one of my favorite Souleiado prints.
I’m thinking of drafting a new bracelet cuff pattern similar to the fabric coffee cup sleeves except just for my wrist . . .
Find more green crafts at the Craft Critique: Earth Day Blog Carnival!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I saw something similar for sale at the Caribou coffee shop a couple of months ago (but ugly fabrics) and I’ve been wanting to make one ever since. Of course I was going to try to put piping around the edges and use a scrap of flannel drapery interlining or low-loft batting and turn it like a pillow… In other words, I was making it so complicated that it was never going to get done!
Your coffee sleeves look fabulous, and I love how stress-free and easy breezy your construction method is. I’ve never used Fast2Fuse before but I’m going to run out and get some so I can play. One thing I wondered was what type of glue do you use to attach the ends of the sleeve to one another? The closure was the other thing I was getting hung up on — didn’t want to see Velcro stitches from the right side, thought about little covered buttons with buttonholes (see what I mean about overcomplicating everything?!), but glue would be so much faster and easier as long as it holds. Do you use a fabric glue, hot glue, or something else? Thank you SO much for sharing your beautiful ideas!
Hi Rebecca,
So glad you enjoyed the tutorial! I used Liquid Stitch by Prym/Dritz. You can find it in the notion section of fabric stores. I like it for this kind of thing because it’s permanent, dries clear and quickly. Of course you still have to let the glue cure before you use the sleeve, but you’re not left sitting there holding things together endlessly.
^_^ laura
Laura, how cool, you’re in a video!
It’s a neat project too… thanks for posting it! 
This is wonderful! I think I’m going to make one for a coworker. I’ll put his name on it, so he’ll always know which coffee is his!
Do you know if the glue would survive microwaving? He likes to reheat his coffee a lot, and if you know, I’d like to tell him whether he has to remove it for microwaving.
Hi Shasta, The Dritz Liquid Stitch is supposed to be permanent. It’s not hot glue, so after it’s cured I don’t think it would melt. The fast2fuse interfacing is heat-activated with an iron though. I’m not sure what would happen with that. You could just test one out in the microwave before you give it to him and see what happens. I don’t dare put mine in the microwave because I’ve sewn metal charms on them. Alternately he could slip it on after he takes the cup out of the microwave.
Stunning!
I love the reusable coffee sleeves. I send one with my hubby everyday. That way if he decides he needs an afternoon pick me up he has his reusable sleeve! The ones I make are made from reclaimed fabric such as vintage drapery and tablecloths! I even made one out of an old medical lab coat! Each fabric has a history, and therefore was saved from the landfill!