Chapstick Cozies

Where I live it is really cold and dry in the winter and it has been especially cold this year.  This wreaks havoc on my skin and lips and I usually have to apply chapstick about every 15 minutes or my lips will crack and sometimes even bleed.

Here is a little confession:  I don't think I have ever used an entire tube of chapstick because I lose them.  I buy some every time I go grocery shopping and I put them in my car, in my desk at school, and in my bag but by the end of the week I am always desperately looking for a tube.

When I found these cozies here I decided to make them in the hopes that I could keep a tube of chapstick long enough to finish it.  There weren't any instruction so I just made up my own.

Cut two pieces of fabric 2 1/2" X 6".  I used two contrasting fabrics but you could use the same fabric if you prefered.  Cut some 5/8" grosgrain ribbon into a 2 1/2" piece.  Pin your two pieces of fabric right sides together.  Fold the ribbon in half and pin in between the fabric in the center at the top.  The cut sides of the ribbon should align with the edge of your fabric pieces.

Sew all the way around the rectangle, leaving a 2" opening for turning.  Clip the the corners, careful not to cut any stitches.  Turn inside out.  I use my seam ripper to help turn the corners.  Fold your fabric together leaving about 1/2" from the top (where the ribbon is).  Start at one bottom corner and sew down one side, across the top, and down the other side ending at the other bottom corner.

Attach a split ring to the ribbon.  I found these at Walmart in the craft area near the jewelry making supplies. They came in a package of ten for $2.00.  Then fill them with some chapstick.

Hopefully this will solve my chapstick problem.  I wonder where they all go?  Maybe they meet up with all of the socks that disappear from the dryer!  Give these cozies a try!