How to make a tea cosy

1. Materials & tools

Materials (one cosy, 4-5 cup size)

• Outer fabric (linen or a cotton print) — about 50 cm × 50 cm
• Lining fabric — the same amount
• Thick quilt batting — about 50 cm × 50 cm
• Optional: aluminized insulating sheet, for extra heat retention

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Home” → “Tea cosy” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the teapot width and height, the ease and the top loop length. Presets cover 2-3 cups, 4-5 cups and small.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Measure the teapot
   Measure the width including the spout and the handle, and the height up to the top of the lid knob. The cosy goes over the pot, so it has to be bigger than the pot itself.
2. Trace the pattern
   Trace the body and the top loop. Below the notches on each side is the opening for the spout and the handle.
3. Cut the pieces
   Cut 2 in the outer, 2 in the lining, 2 in batting and 1 loop.
4. Finish the edges
   Not needed — it is turned right side out.

4. Sewing

4-1. Build the outer and the lining

1. Lay batting against the wrong side of one outer piece and baste around the edge. Do the same with the second.
2. Place the two batted outer pieces right sides together and sew the domed top only. Do not sew below the side notches.
3. Clip the seam allowance around the curve every 1 cm.
4. Sew the two lining pieces the same way, domed top only.

4-2. Add the loop

1. Fold the loop in four, topstitch and fold it into a loop.
2. Baste it to the top of the outer, pointing inwards.

4-3. Join outer and lining

1. Turn the outer right side out and slip it inside the lining, which stays wrong side out.
2. Sew around the bottom edge, leaving a 10 cm opening for turning.
3. Sew the side openings too, matching the edges. Skip these and the raw seam allowances stay exposed at the openings.

4-4. Turn and finish

1. Turn right side out through the opening and shape it. Press with a cloth and a light touch so you do not flatten the batting.
2. Close the opening with ladder stitch.
3. Topstitch 5 mm in from the bottom edge and both side openings.
4. Put it over the pot and check that the spout and the handle come through.

✏️ Do not reduce the ease. A teapot is wider across the spout and the handle than it is across the body. Measure only the body and the cosy will catch on the spout and refuse to go on. The 4 cm of ease in the preset is there for exactly that.

5. Tips & variations

• Use thick batting: the whole point is insulation, so thin batting defeats it. One thick layer, or two thin ones.
• Add a foil layer: an aluminized sheet between the batting and the lining makes a noticeable difference.
• Deep side openings: shallow openings snag on the spout. Half the height is a good guide.