Inner Tube Koozie or Drink Sleeve

Rubber inner tubes are a wonderful material to use for a koozie because of their insulation properties, durability, no slip grip and up cycle potential.

Since these are hand made it also makes it easier to remember which drink is yours ;-)

For this project one inner tube is more than enough for a koozie.
Two standard bicycle inner tubes can usually cover a six pack.

Up-cycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value.

Cut the inner tube horizontally so that it is one long piece.
* The best place to cut it in order to save materials is by the metal air valve.

Next cut the inner tube again vertically, as shown below.
* Most inner tubes have lines that can serve as guides for cutting straight lines.

Once you have a long flat strip cut it into two sections that fit around your glass.

Slightly overlap the strips so that you can sew them together.

I used the industrial strength walking foot at the techshop that is awesome for thicker materials.
Theoretically a standard sewing machine will also work.

Sew the sleeve closed as shown then cut off any excess.

The last step is to turn the sleeve inside out, fit it over your drink then sit back, relax and enjoy a beverage.

I made it at the TechShop!

http://www.techshop.ws/