How to Sew a Water Bottle Cooler

Keep your water cool on the go by stitching an insulated fabric cooler. You can make a water bottle cooler for a reusable aluminum or stainless bottle or to fit a 1/2-liter or liter-size disposable plastic bottle. Add a strap so that you can drape the bottle cooler over your shoulder when you go out for a hike or even just to the mall. You can skip the strap if you plan on stashing your bottle in a larger bag.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• 1/2 yard cotton fabric
• 1/2 yard contrasting fabric, or more of the same fabric
• Insulated batting
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Matching thread
• Sewing machine
• 1 yard satin ribbon, 1/4 inch wide
• 2 yards sturdy ribbon, 1/2 inch wide

Instructions

1. Measure the height of your water bottle with a measuring tape. Also measure its circumference at the widest point and the diameter of the bottom of the bottle.

2. Cut each 1/2-yard piece of fabric into a rectangle that measures the bottle's height plus 2 inches by its circumference plus 1 inch, using scissors. If your bottle is 12 inches high and 9 inches around, cut a rectangle that measures 14 inches by 10 inches. Also cut a piece of batting to the same measurements.

3. Cut a circle out of each fabric and the batting that measures the bottle's bottom diameter plus 1/2 inch. If your bottle has a 3-inch diameter, cut a 3 1/2-inch-diameter circle. You may just want to trace the bottle on the fabric to help you get the right size.

4. Place the insulated batting on the wrong side of the outside fabric. Place the right side of the outside fabric against the right side of the inside fabric. Line up the four sides of each piece and pin together.

5. Sew the batting and two fabric pieces together along the sides and top edge with the sewing machine and matching thread, leaving a 3/8-inch seam allowance. Leave the bottom edge open.

6. Turn the fabrics so that the right sides are facing out. The batting should now be between the outside and inside fabric.

7. Quilt the fabrics by sewing a few rows of stitches down the length of the rectangle and across its width. Space each row about 1 inch apart. When you are finished, you should have a grid of stitches.

8. Place the circle of batting between the two fabric circles. The right sides of the fabric circles should face out. Pin together and sew the circles with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

9. Fold the fabric rectangle in half, lining up the two sides. The right side, or outside of the fabric, should face in. Position one end of the sturdy ribbon about an inch or two away from the fold on the inside and pin in place. Position the other end of the ribbon on the other side of the fabric, about an inch or two away from the fold. Unfold the rectangle and stitch the ends of the ribbon in place.

10. Re-fold the fabric rectangle, with the right side facing in. Pin the sides together, then stitch together, leaving a 3/8-inch seam.

11. Make small, 1/4-inch cuts along the bottom edge of the fabric tube. Position the fabric circle against the bottom edge of the tube, with the right side facing into the tube. Pin the edge of the circle to the tube's edge. Stitch in place with a 1/2-inch seam. You want the small cuts you made to be completely concealed by the stitching.

12. Turn the tube right side out and slide your water bottle in.

References

• Chica and Jo: Improvements on Our Water Bottle Cooler
• Pink Chalk Studio: Water Bottle Carrier