Stitch People Cup Cozy – by Arianna Elisabeth

What a treat we have for you today!  Plus it’s the gift that keeps on giving.  First things first, we’d like to introduce you to our sweet friend Arianna.  We met Arianna at the San Diego Pinners conference and we couldn’t wait to work with her.

You may know Arianna from her amazing blog Arianna Elisabeth Designs where she takes readers through how to create crafty DIY projects in her vibrant, colorful and imaginative way.

Today, in her signature sweet fashion, Arianna has been kind enough to share with us how you can create your own Stitch People customized cup cozy.

Lets dive in so we can start drinking our coffee in style!


When I was younger, my brother and I both picked up cross stitching one summer as a new hobby. I’m going to be honest – it quickly became only my brother’s hobby because I would get so frustrated trying to figure it all out! This is not like me since I absolutely love anything and everything crafty. Fast forward to recent times and my discovery of Stitch People – game changer! 

One thing I love about the patterns is that they are super customizable, which worked out perfectly with this super cute grad gift! My friend was graduating from college, and I wanted to make a fun gift that could take her into her career world, but also allow her to remember the college years that got her there.

For me, caffeine became my best friend when I entered the working world so I wanted to make her a cute gift that she could use at work! I DIYed this cup cozy and added the adorable graduation gal from the Stitch People graduation pattern. It’s the perfect gift for a new grad, and I’d love to walk you through how simple this DIY is to create!

For this DIY you will need:

  • Embroidery floss in colors for your graduate
  • Charles Craft Aida fabric (size 14 Antique White)
  • Embroidery hoop
  • Size 5 embroidery needles
  • Stitch People graduate pattern (comes with female and male graduate!)
  • 1/4 yard of yellow cotton fabric (or any color you choose)
  • 1/4 yard of blue cotton fabric (or any color you choose) 
  • 1/4 yard of fusible fleece
  • Thread to match the front fabric
  • One medium sized button
  • One hair tie
  • Scissors
  • Sewing Machine (not pictured)

First, you’ll want to stitch your graduate. I’ve said it already and I’ll probably repeat it again and again, but I seriously love how easy these patterns are to follow! It’s so cool that they are so easy to customize. I was able to make the graduate look just like my friend down to her exact tassel color.

I chose to use only two pieces of embroidery floss for my stitches because I liked the textured look of the stitch, but you could totally make it your own style and adapt to your preference.

After you’ve fully created your graduate, you can start on the cozy! It’s so simple.

Cut the cup cozy shape out of your fabrics and fusible fleece. Click here to download the shape as a pdf pattern. The pdf shows one half of the cozy shape. Print two copies of the shape, cut them out, and tape together in the center in an arc shape. Then use the pattern to cut this shape out of all three materials.

Cut your graduate out of the Aida fabric in approximately a 3 inch by 3 inch square. You’ll want to make sure there is enough of a border around the graduate so you can sew around it, but still have a fabric border around it to leave enough room for future stitching. 

Pin the square of fabric with your graduate in the middle of the right side of the front fabric piece. Use a zig zag stitch on your sewing machine to attach your graduate to the fabric. You’ll want to make sure you use the zig zag stitch to prevent the Aida fabric from fraying. Make sure to reinforce the stitch at the end. 

Trim a little bit (around 1/8 inch) of each side of the fusible fleece so it is just smaller than the back fabric piece. Use the instructions included with the fusible fleece to adhere it to the wrong side of the back piece of fabric.

Next, cut the hair tie in half and sew it with a zig zag stitch about 1 1/2 inches from the bottom on the right side of the right side of fabric – lot of “rights,” I know! Take a look at the photos for reference 🙂  

Pin the right side (side with graduate) of the front fabric to the right side (side with elastic) of the back fabric and sew with a 1/4 inch straight stitch on the sewing machine, reinforcing the elastic. Make sure to leave about a 2 inch opening on one side so you’re able to turn the fabric inside out after you sew the seam. Trim corners so they won’t bunch up when you pull the fabric right side out. Use the eraser side of a pencil to push out the corners if you need to as you pull the fabric right side out. 

Sew another seam, but this time 1/8 inch around the perimeter of the cup cozy.

We’re already almost done! Next, on the far right of the front fabric, measure 1 1/2 inches from the bottom of the fabric and 2 inches in (see photos below).  

 Sew the button on where those two measurements meet. I chose to use the embroidery floss from before and hand sew the button.

And that’s it! So easy and so ridiculously adorable.

I love this twist on a customized gift! It’s both thoughtful and useful! The best thing, too, is that you could totally make this gift for other loved one’s big moments. I’m definitely already envisioning a set of customized Mr. and Mrs. cup cozies for an engagement or wedding gift for another friend! 

Thank you so much Arianna! We can’t wait to start whipping up our own Stitch People Cup Cozies for graduations, weddings, bachelorette parties, road trips – the list goes on and on!!

If you’d like to be inspired with more amazing crafty goodness, head on over to Arianna’s blog!

How would you use Stitch People designs to make a customized gift?  If you have an idea and would like to share your tutorial, just email us with your ideas at info@stitchpeople.com!

Happy stitching! 

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