Tea Cozy finished - here it is

the finished cozy - keeping the pot hot

leaves ready for hand-sewing and the naked tea pot

Now that my brother has received his belated Christmas present, I can show the finished project. His favorite teapot is very plump and has an unusual knob-like handle. At first I was stumped as how to deal with both the handle and the shape, but finally came up with a solution that not only covers the pot but is also easy to get on and off. This flat, un-shaped design lends itself well to the pot's unique shape and gave me ample opportunity to indulge my embroidery passions.

The outside materials are wool felt (from Magic Cabin and my stash), cotton embroidery floss and buttons. The inside lining is soft Anna Maria Horner cotton flannel that I purchased at Bolt in Portland (there's also a bit of this fabric on the outside of the cozy). The lovely bee ribbon was purchased at Nancy's Sewing Basket, one of my favorite Seattle fabric shops.

The embroidered quote: The best quality tea must be wet and soft, like a fine earth newly rain-swept, my abbreviated adaptation of a Chinese proverb.

detail - showing the opening for the pot lid knob

here's how the knob fits through the top of the cozy

and lots of French knots, a favorite embellishment technique

detail - front button closure

detail of back - these glass buttons are just for show