TUTORIAL - reversible jar toppers...

 

Now first of all, let me apologise for the quality of the photos in this tutorial. We've had lightning, thunder and heavy rain today and it's getting worse tonight as I sit here writing this blog post, so the house was darker than usual, which always affects photo quality. 

But you should still find the pics clear enough to follow along while I show you how I make my reversible jar toppers, step by step. :-)

NOTE: You can make the jar toppers any size you like. I have tweaked the size of my cardboard circles to the point that the finished toppers fit a wide mouth Mason jar perfectly. So these are the measurements you'll see me using. 

1. Choose two fabrics that you like - the topper is reversible, so you might like to make one side a wintry colour base, and the other a spring. You could also do as I have done today and make one side a festive Christmas print, and the other side a fabric for everyday use. I simply love checks and spots as my everyday pantry jar toppers, so I chose those as my reverse prints.

2. You will need to cut yourself three circles. The sizes of mine are in the photo below. I used a compass and some light cardboard from an old cereal box to make them. 

3. To make yours the same size as mine, cut two 9 1/2" squares of fabric per jar topper. I made two toppers so I cut four squares. If you have some orphan squares from a layer cake, they are perfect for making jar toppers as they measure 10" square (that's what I started with about six months ago).

4. Lay your two pieces (for one jar topper) right sides together and trace around the largest circle with a disappearing pen. I use a black Frixion pen that disappears when I iron it. 

5. In one corner make two markings on the circle, about 1.5" apart. 

6. Pin the two sides of the topper together and sew along the traced line, leaving that 1.5" space in the corner open. 

7. Trim 1/4" outside the circle, and turn the topper right side out to press flat. 

8. Fold a hem along the open section of the topper, but do not sew it shut. We need it open to thread the elastic through later. 

9. Trace two more circles onto one side of your topper, using the remaining two circles of cardboard. Just as you made markings for keeping one section of the larger circle open, do the same with the second circle, directly beneath the opening along the topper's outer edge. The smallest circle needs no opening. 

10. Sew along the line of the smallest circle. Then sew along the line of the middle circle, keeping the space between your markings unstitched.

11. Cut a piece of 1/4" wide elastic, about 10 inches if you're using my measurements. Thread it through the open edge of the topper. I put a small safety pin into the end of my elastic and use it to guide the elastic through the seam and back out the same way it went in. Overlap the two ends of the elastic by 1" so that they sit on top of each other, and sew together. You can do this by machine, but I find it too fiddly so I use a strong Perle 12 thread and hand sew through the two layers of elastic. Trim any excess elastic. 

12. Use your machine to sew along the open section of that middle circle, securing the elastic inside. 

13. Ladder stitch the opening along the topper's edge to close it securely. 

Here are my two toppers completed. Festive one side, to be used each Christmas, and my usual spots and checks on the other, ready to be swapped over in January. 

By this stage I was in need of a cuppa and some of my delicious gluten free almond and sultana muffins, before hand sewing a lace edge on one of the toppers. I also enjoyed the latest episode of All Creatures Great and Small on Britbox, and can't wait to watch the Christmas Special on December 24th! :-)

Once the lace was sewn in place I filled the Mason jars with candy canes, and Quality Street toffees for the grandchildren when they visit next week, and added my newest toppers. 

I might add some lace to the second topper tomorrow if I have time, but my first priority is the housework, grocery shopping, and cutting out the pieces for a few more tiny dolls for Rafaella. I think my fingers are finally rested enough. Ha ha!

Let me know how you go with making your own jar toppers. Is there a colour or design theme you'll choose for your pantry or shelving? I'm sure sometime next year I'll change my theme, but for now I truly do love the checks and spots. Once you start making these, you may never stop...just a warning. ;-)

And don't forget, these make wonderful gifts! You could even fill a jar with shortbreads, lollies, dried fruits and nuts, and make the gift even more special with a pretty topper attached. 

Okay, it's after 9pm and I am in need of a cool drink (regardless of this thunderstorm the weather is still very hot and humid here in the tropics), and a half hour or so with my new book from the library. For six months I've been reading about England during WW2 and I'll share some of my favourite novels set in that time when we chat again. 

God bless you, keep you safe, and fill you to overflowing with His perfect peace,

Hugs

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Making a simple envelope style pouch....

 

I've previously shown the slow stitched fabric pouches which have brought me joy to make over the past month, and as you have requested, today I'll show you how to make your own. 

These pouches can be made any size you want, you just need two squares of fabric the same size, some thin fusible wadding 1/2" smaller than your squares, and a long length of 1" wide fabric for the tie. 

For three of my pouches I used two different fabrics, but for the green linen check pouch I used the same fabric. Use what you like, experiment a little, and just have some fun. 

What I loved most about the process of making my pouches was not having to hurry, being able to pick it up and put it down at leisure, usually slow stitching quilted lines in the evenings for little while at a time. 

I have previously made two pouches from 10" squares, one from a 12 inch square, and for this tutorial I made one from an 8" square. 

So as I said, choose your square size and cut yourself two pieces of fabric, and one piece of thin fusible wadding, 1/2" smaller than your squares. You'll also need a 1" wide length of fabric, twice as long as your square - so if you have a 12" square, cut a 24" long length of fabric for the tie.

(the photos aren't as good as I'd hoped, due to using my phone and not my camera)

Use a bias maker to turn the 1" wide fabric into bias. You don't need to cut your fabric diagonally because we're not going to use it as bias, but as a the wrapping tie. 

Once made, fold the bias in half and sew the halves together. Tie a tight knot at each end of the tie. 

Fuse the thin wadding to the wrong side of one of your squares (best to choose the fabric which will feature as the outside of your pouch)...

With right sides facing, pin the fabrics together. Sew around the four sides of the square with a 1/4" seam, leaving a 3" opening along one side. 

Turn right side out through the opening. Press the opening down before ladder stitching it closed. 

I took the next lot of photos before I quilted the square, as it was easier to get as many 'step' photos as I could at the time. 

Press in three corners of the square, envelope style.

NOTE: another lovely thing about these pouches is that they are reversible, so choose your lining fabric carefully too.

Now, before we stitch the folds together, it's time to quilt the square. I just do small stitches in straight lines, fairly close together - this effect makes me very happy. No idea why, but it does!

Now sew the tie to the top (open) flap...but sew it 1/3 of the way along the length. You need one end of the tie to be twice as long as the other (for wrapping around at the end).

Then sew the two folded sides together with a ladder stitch to complete your pouch. :-)

I hope you make one (or more)...they have come in very handy in my house. Two are cases for my reading glasses (one at home and one in my handbag); one holds my crochet hooks; and this smaller one which I made for the tutorial holds nail clippers, small scissors, a nail file and a hanky, for my handbag.

As well as little pouches, this past week I've also been working on more Dresden blocks for Blossom's 30th birthday quilt (due in May)...

...completing the repair and extension of Rafaella's damaged crochet blanket...

...a return to working on my own crochet blanket (first one I have made for myself)...

...baking a new sourdough banana bread recipe, which is now the family's favourite...

...and back to baking sour dough bread again, thanks to Elly who did a video on baking with sour dough in the hot and humid areas of the country.

Tomorrow I'm choosing to have a nice slow day at home, pottering around in the sewing room, listening to an audio book, and enjoying fresh herbal teas with greens from the garden. I've had a very busy few days deep cleaning the kitchen appliances, sorting the linen cupboard, organising my home apothecary supplies, weeding, and planting herbs...as well as the usual homemaking rhythms that bring me joy.

I'll have the pie photos and steps on Thursday for you, and hopefully the recipe book (part 1) on Friday or Saturday. 

God bless you dear ones, and may the remainder of your week be blessed in every way. 

hugs

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