prepare coffee filters and tea bags

Going it alone to save money and act for the environment is possible with Joséphine Dabilly’s Atelier Zéro Déchet tutorials. We offer you a solution to stop using disposable coffee or tea filters: create your own. It’s easy, cheap and good for the planet.

Are you tired of filling trash cans with your coffee or tea filters? Joséphine explains how to make filters while preserving the aromas.

fine organic cotton fabric
matching yarn
a sewing machine
a pair of scissors
a nice braid

tea filter

In the fabric, cut out a rectangle measuring 9 x 22 cm.
Fold it in 2 lengthwise and sew on each side 5 mm from the edge with a straight stitch, not forgetting the lock stitches to keep the seams well.
Sew the 2 edges with a zigzag stitch to prevent the fabric from fraying.
Sew the hem where we will pass our closing braid.
To do this, fold the top of the fabric by 5 mm and then by 1 cm.
Sew this hem with a straight stitch 1mm from the edge, not forgetting the bartack.
Return the work.
With the tip of thin scissors, create 2 small openings in the hem for the braid to pass through.
In the first opening, thread the braid using a safety pin.
Pull it out in the second opening, then remove the safety pin.
Tie a knot in the 2 ends of the braid.
Possibility to add a large pearl to the knot to decorate the tea bag.

Coffee filter

Fold the fabric in half and mark the crease with an iron.
Place the side of an existing coffee filter onto the fold of fabric.
Trace all around the model.
Remove the template and place pins to secure the 2 layers of fabric together.
Cut on the line.
Use a zigzag stitch to sew the 2 layers of fabric to the 2 sides of the coffee filter without forgetting the bar tacks.
Remove the pins.
Open the coffee filter and sew the entire upper part with a zigzag stitch on 1 single thickness without forgetting the stopping point once again.