Sometimes you just can’t wait to enjoy that first (or second, or third) cup of coffee or tea. However, using a conventional mug is not without its problems. The handles are often too small to accommodate a comfortable grip and the mug itself takes forever to cool off. By following these steps, you can create your own personalized sleeve that hugs your mug through the power of magnets! This magnetic sleeve will allow you to hold onto your favorite mug as soon as you pour your coffee or tea all while looking pretty cute. You can choose any design you like, but for the purposes of this demonstration, we’re going to make a fox, similar to this one. Here’s what you’ll need:
  • Orange Felt
  • Black or Brown Felt
  • Measuring Tape
  • Scissors
  • Sewing Machine/Needle and Black Thread
  • Hot Glue Gun with Glue
  • Neodymium Disc Magnet (x2)
Step 1. Measure the width of your favorite coffee or tea mug with a tape measure then add half of an inch to an inch. Draw a line on one piece of orange felt using your measurement. Step 2. On that piece of felt, trace out the body of the fox, making sure it’s as long as the measurement you took. Make sure to give her a nose and ears as well as bushy tail. Carefully cut out the pattern. Step 3. Use the pattern you cut out to trace another body on the other piece of orange felt. Then carefully cut out the pattern. Step 4. Take the black or brown felt and use it to make 2 eyes, 2 ears, and a nose. Carefully cut out each piece. Step 5. Use either a sewing machine, needle and thread, or a hot glue gun to attach the eyes, ears, and nose to one of the body outlines. Step 6. On the same body outline, Use either a sewing machine or needle and thread to add accent whiskers and tufts of fur to the fox’s body. Step 7. Take the other body outline and lay it out flat. Place one of the neodymium disc near the nose and the other on the tail. Make sure the magnets are arranged so that the sides that attract are facing the right direction. The magnet by the head should have the attractive side facing down. The tail magnet should face upward. This way when you wrap the fox around your mug, the two ends will stick together. Step 8. Using a sewing machine or needle and thread, sew the two body outlines together with the magnets covered. Step 9. Pour yourself some tea or coffee and let your new magnetic fox sleeve protect your hands!