How To Sew A DIY Water Bottle Holder With Cell Phone Pocket (Lined & Insulated)

A lined and insulated cotton water bottle holder with a handy phone pocket and long strap — perfect for walks, exercise, travel, and everyday hands-free convenience.

Stay hydrated hands-free — sew a stylish insulated water bottle holder with a convenient phone pocket for walking, travel, and everyday outings.

If you enjoy walking, exercising, traveling, or even browsing craft fairs, having your water handy makes life easier. A DIY insulated water bottle holder with a phone pocket keeps your drink cool while freeing your hands — and yes, it can be stylish too.

Today, I’m showing you how to sew a lined, insulated cotton water bottle carrier with a front cell phone pocket and a long cross-neck strap so it rests comfortably on the front of your body. This makes it easy to sip water, check your phone, or simply stay organized without juggling bags.

This project is beginner-friendly and uses simple straight seams.

Supplies Needed

Fabrics & Materials

Cotton outer fabric – about ½ yard

Cotton lining fabric – about ½ yard

Insulated batting (Insul-Bright or thermal batting) – ½ yard

Matching thread

Optional: fusible interfacing for phone pocket stability

Tools

Sewing machine

Scissors or rotary cutter

Pins or clips

Measuring tape

Iron

Cutting Guide

Adjust sizing based on your bottle, but this works well for most 16–24 oz bottles.

Bottle Holder Pieces

Outer fabric rectangle: 11" x 12"

Lining fabric rectangle: 11" x 12"

Insulated batting: 11" x 12"

Bottom Circle

4½" diameter circle from each:

Outer fabric

Lining fabric

Insulated batting

Cell Phone Pocket

Outer cotton: 7" x 8"

Lining cotton: 7" x 8"

Optional interfacing the same size

Strap

3" x 45–50" cotton strip (long enough to hang necklace-style)

Step 1 — Prepare The Insulated Body

Layer in this order:

Outer cotton (right side down)

Insulated batting

Lining cotton (right side up)

Quilt lightly with vertical stitching lines about 1½–2 inches apart.

This prevents shifting and adds structure.

Press well.

Step 2 — Sew The Phone Pocket

Place the pocket outer and lining right sides together.

Stitch around edges, leaving a 2" turning gap.

Turn right side out and press.

Topstitch the upper edge for durability.

Position pocket centered on the outer body panel about 2–3 inches from the top.

Stitch sides and bottom to secure.

(Tip: Reinforce upper corners — phones add weight.)

Step 3 — Form The Bottle Tube

Fold quilted body piece right sides together.

Sew the side seam using a ½" seam allowance.

Press the seam open if possible for a smoother finish.

You now have a tube.

Step 4 — Create The Insulated Base

Layer bottom circles:

Outer cotton

Insulated batting

Lining cotton

Treat as one piece.

Pin to the bottom of the tube, right sides together.

Sew slowly around circle.

Clip seam allowance slightly for smooth shaping.

Turn right side out.

Step 5 — Make The Long Neck Strap

Fold the strap lengthwise, right sides together.

Sew the long edge.

Turn the right side out using a safety pin or loop turner.

Press flat.

Topstitch both edges for strength.

Attach securely to opposite sides near the top edge of the holder.

(Double stitching recommended — this carries weight.)

Step 6 — Finish The Top Edge

Fold the top edge inward about ½".

Turn the lining edge under neatly.

Topstitch all around.

This creates a clean finished opening.

Optional Enhancements

You can personalize this project easily:

Add a drawstring closure

Decorative trim or piping

Extra pocket for keys

Mesh pocket for quick access items

Waterproof lining if using outdoors often

Why Insulated Batting Helps

Thermal batting reflects heat and slows temperature change.

It won’t keep water ice-cold forever, but it definitely helps maintain coolness during walks, errands, or light workouts.

Plus, the padded structure protects your bottle and phone.

Styling Tips (Because Function Can Be Pretty)

Choose fabrics that match your personality:

Florals for garden walks

Denim for everyday casual

Bright prints for sporty looks

Neutral canvas for minimalist style

I personally love projects like this because they combine practicality with creativity — exactly what sewing should do.

Final Thoughts From The Sewing Room

Simple projects like this remind us that sewing isn’t just about clothing — it’s about making daily life easier and more enjoyable.

A custom water bottle holder:

Saves money

Reduces plastic bag use

Keeps essentials organized

And showcases your personal style

Plus, it’s a satisfying afternoon sew.

If you make one, try different prints — they make wonderful gifts too.

If you enjoyed this sewing project, be sure to subscribe to The Designer’s Needle in the sidebar for more practical DIY tutorials, sewing inspiration, and creative projects you can actually use in everyday life. And if you make this water bottle holder, I’d love to hear how yours turned out! 

Be sure to check my Payhip Store and my Hostinger Store for sewing patterns, fabric, and notions!

Happy sewing from The Designer’s Needle! 🧵

 

🌻 DIY Sunflower Pincushion (Easy Sewing Project + Scrap Fabric Friendly)

A cheerful handmade sunflower pincushion—an easy scrap fabric project that keeps your pins organized and brightens your sewing space.

Make a cheerful sunflower pincushion in under an hour using fabric scraps, felt, and basic hand sewing.

If you love quick sewing projects that actually get used every day, you’re going to adore this DIY. Today I’m sharing how to make an easy sunflower pincushion — a bright little sewing room accessory that keeps your pins tidy, adds charm to your workspace, and makes a perfect handmade gift for any sewist.

Even better? This project is perfect for using scrap fabric.

✅ Why You’ll Love This Sunflower Pincushion

This sunflower pincushion is:

Beginner-friendly (no sewing machine required!)

A quick project you can finish in one sitting

Made from scraps you already have

Cute enough to gift or sell at craft fairs

Great decor for your sewing room

✂️ Supplies Needed

Here’s what you’ll need:

Fabric + base

Yellow cotton fabric scraps (or felt)

Brown felt (or brown cotton fabric)

Green felt OR green fabric scraps (optional leaf)

Filling + notions

Fiberfill stuffing or crushed walnut shells (optional for weight)

Needle and thread

Pins and/or clips

Scissors

Optional: hot glue gun (for finishing touches)

Optional: button for center detail

Cutting Measurements (Simple + Adjustable)

You can adjust any size, but this is a great starting point:

Center circle (sunflower middle)

Cut 1 brown circle: 2 ½”–3” wide

Back circle (base)

Cut 1 backing circle: 3 ½”–4” wide (any fabric)

Petals

Choose one style:

Option A (easy petals)

Cut 12–16 yellow ovals

Each oval: about 2 ½” long x 1 ¼” wide

Option B (felt zigzag petals)

Cut 1 large felt sunflower ring and snip petal shapes all around

🧵 How to Sew a DIY Sunflower Pincushion (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Cut your sunflower pieces

Cut your brown center circle, yellow petals, and backing circle.

If you’re using cotton fabric instead of felt for the petals, use a thicker cotton (quilting cotton works well).

Step 2: Shape and prepare petals

If using oval fabric petals, fold each oval in half lengthwise and make a few stitches at the base to hold it.

This creates a slightly cupped petal shape, making the sunflower look fuller and more realistic.

Step 3: Attach petals around the center

Place the brown center circle in the middle and arrange your petals in a circle underneath it.

Sew petals in place around the edge of the brown center circle:

Stitch petal bases to the underside

Overlap slightly so the flower looks dense

Tip: Use clips while arranging so the petals don’t shift.

Step 4: Sew the flower top to the backing

Place the sunflower top right sides together with the backing circle.

Stitch around the edge, leaving a 2” opening for stuffing.

Step 5: Turn and stuff

Turn the pincushion right side out and begin stuffing.

For a professional pincushion feel:

✅ Add a tablespoon or two of crushed walnut shells first

✅ Then fill the rest with fiberfill

Stuff firmly — pincushions should be plump so pins stay secure.

Step 6: Close the opening

Hand stitch the opening closed using a ladder stitch (invisible stitch), or whip stitch.

🌻 Optional Finishing Touches

Here are a few ideas to make it extra cute:

Sew a small brown button to the center

Add a tiny felt leaf on the back edge

Hot glue a flat felt circle under the base to make it more stable

💡 Tips for a More “Realistic” Sunflower Look

If you want it to look like a real sunflower:

Use 2 layers of petals (1 slightly longer, 1 shorter)

Slightly overlap petals as you go

Add a textured center:

French knots

brown yarn loops

Seed-bead stitching

🎁 Great Uses for This Sunflower Pincushion

This sunflower pincushion is perfect for:

sewing room decor

beginner sewing gifts

stocking stuffers for sewists

craft fair inventory

sewing retreat swaps

🌻 I love sewing projects like this because they’re cute, practical, and easy to repeat using different fabrics. You could even make a whole “garden set” of pincushions — daisies, roses, and pumpkins for fall!

If you enjoyed this DIY sunflower pincushion, be sure to browse my sewing shop for patterns and printable project guides.

Want more easy scrap-friendly sewing projects?

Browse my sewing patterns and printable DIY tutorials in my Payhip shop and bookmark this page so you can make this sunflower pincushion anytime.