Learn how to make a coffee cup sleeve pattern so you can make a custom coffee cup sleeve for any size coffee cup.
Last year for Christmas I bought several of the reusable Starbucks cold cups and hot cups. I then made sleeves in varying sizes to fit each of the cups.
I then filled the cups with candy and Starbucks gift cards. They made for that perfect one-of-kind handmade gift for our daughters. I even made some small coffee sleeves for the grandkids.
Even though Starbucks wasn’t allowing customers to use reusable cups, due to COVID, I was still able to purchase the cups. I even made some sleeves to fit the disposable cups. So our kids received multiple coffee sleeves in multiple sizes.
I didn’t hear the first complaint!
Coffee Cup Sleeve FAQs
Before we talk about how to sew a coffee cup sleeve, let’s take a look at some of the questions you might have and that others have asked:
Q: What makes these coffee cup sleeves different?
A. These sleeves are made to fit specific size cups. They slide onto the cup and fit perfectly. There are no buttons, no velcro, and no fasteners of any kind.
Q. Are the sleeves reversible?
A. Yes, the coffee sleeves are reversible. And machine washable!
Q. What size are the sleeves?
A. The sleeves can be any size. You can make them 3″ tall or more. My favorite sleeve covers the entire cup!
Q. Are the coffee cup sleeves washable?
A. Yes! Be sure to wash your fabric BEFORE you cut out your fabric. Then after you sew a coffee cup sleeve, you simply throw it in the washing machine. You can lay flat to dry or machine dry.
Q. Will the coffee cup sleeve fit a Starbucks reusable cup?
A. Yes! You can make your coffee cup sleeve to fit any size sleeve. Whether you like your coffee from McDonald’s, Tim Hortons, Biggby, Starbucks or your favorite coffee shop, you can make a sleeve to fit any size cup!
Q. Are the sleeves reversible?
A. Yes! The coffee cup sleeves are reversible.
How to Make a Custom Coffee Cup Sleeve
I want to show you how to make your very own custom size coffee cup sleeve pattern. Whether you like your coffee from Starbuck’s, Tim Hortons, Biggby or your favorite local java shop, you can make your own custom coffee cup sleeve pattern in no time!
And once you learn how to make these custom coffee cup sleeves, you’ll be making them for everybody on your gift giving list!
Supplies Needed
To make your pattern pieces, there are only a few supplies you’ll need:
- paper
- scotch tape
Tools Needed
- tape measure
- pencil
- rotary cutter
- acrylic ruler
- self-healing cutting mat
Please see the below how-to card for more specific information on the supplies and tools needed to make your own custom coffee cup sleeve pattern.
How to Make a Custom Coffee Cup Sleeve Pattern
Make a template for your very own custom sized coffee sleeve. Once you know how to create your own template, you can sew up a coffee sleeve to fit any size cup! Perfect for hot or cold cups and just as perfect for gift giving!
Materials
- paper or interfacing
- scotch tape
- coffee cup (such as a Starbucks reusable coffee cup)
Tools
- pencil
- ruler
- tape measure
- rotary cutter, ruler and cutting mat
Instructions
I recommend that you create a pattern or template for the interfacing first. So, what you'll do is make your interfacing template then use that to make the pattern for your fabric pieces.
Make a Template for the Interfacing
- First you want to decide how tall you want your coffee sleeve. Use a ruler to measure your cup and determine how tall you want your finished sleeve to be. Common sizes are 2-1/2", 3", 4" or more. Write this number down.
- Most to-go and reusable coffee cups are wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. Kind of a cone shape. Some cups are the same size and more of a cylinder shape. For the purpose of this tutorial, I'm going to assume your cup is wider at the top. So, with the tape measure, measure the circumference (around) the widest part of the cup. Write this number down.
- You should now have a height number and a width number. Using a piece of paper or interfacing (this will become your template), draw a rectangle that is at least 1-2" wider than your width measurement and the same as your height measurement. So, say for example, that you want your sleeve to be 3" high and your cup is 7" around. You'll draw a rectangle that is 3"H by 8-9" wide.
- Once you have your rectangle cut out, wrap the rectangle around your coffee cup where you want your sleeve and line up the paper at the top. Sort of pinch the raw edges together and continue pinching down the side of the cup. Where the ends meet against the cup, press the paper backwards so that it creates a crease. Fold the paper back towards the other side and create a crease. Mark each crease line with your pencil.
- Remove the paper from the cup and draw a straight line down the creased ends of the paper. Cut off the extra paper on each side of the drawn lines. You should now have a template! Wrap the template around your cup and the trimmed edges should now line up perfectly.
- Make any necessary adjustments.
Make a Template for the Fabric
- To make a template for the inside and outside fabric pieces, lay your template that you just made for your interfacing down on a piece of paper. Use your ruler to mark 3/8" (seam allowance) (or 1/2" if you're using a 1/2" seam allowance) above the template (top of the sleeve), below the template (bottom of the sleeve) and on each end.
- Cut out the larger template. This template will be used for the fabric.
Recommended Products
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Video Tutorial on YouTube
You’ll find a full video tutorial on how to make a custom coffee cup sleeve pattern on my YouTube Channel. You can click on the below image to go directly to the video.
I’d also love it if you could subscribe to my channel while you’re there!
Custom Coffee Cup Sleeve Gift Idea
Like I said, last year I made coffee cup sleeves in a variety of sizes. I then stopped by my local Starbuck’s and picked up some to-go cups. I bought the reusable hot and cold cups, as well as some of the one use cold cups.
I made coffee cup sleeves for each of the cups and filled the cups with white chocolate truffles and tucked in a Starbuck’s gift card. I also bought some pretty cellophane holiday bags and tissue paper from Dollar Tree and had the cutest little gifts!
More Handmade Gift Ideas
If you liked learning how to make a custom coffee cup sleeve pattern, you just might like these other handmade gift ideas from The Birch Cottage:
- Sew a Reversible Microwave Safe Bowl Cozy
- Easy Sugar Hand Scrub
- Origami Corner Bookmark
- Sew a Pillow Case with Contrast Trim
If you make a coffee cup sleeve using this tutorial, I’d love to hear about it. Leave me a comment below or share a picture on social media. Be sure to tag #thebirchcottage! Or better yet, come join the creative fun in A Handmade Home Facebook Group and share your pictures there!
Til next time…
Be sure to pin this sewing tutorial to your favorite Pinterest board to save it for later or to share with family and friends!
