Are you ready for summer and its gifts? Get everything ready for harvesting season and start decorating jam jars with pretty fabric mason jar covers so that you can give your homemade jam as a present. We will be showing you how to make your own jam jar covers in two different ways: square and round fabric jam jar toppers. Hang tags and stickers are ideal for labeling the jars and can easily be designed with our online design tool and ordered starting from just small quantities.
Below you will find two free tutorials for making charming fabric mason jar covers from fabric scraps.
How can you decorate jam jars?
A fabric cover on the lid is often used for decorating jam jars. This can be sewn or simply cut to size with pinking shears and then attached to the jar with a cord or satin ribbon. A napkin with a matching design can also serve as a cover. You can design pretty paper hang tags for special occasions or stickers online for each jam flavor.
Which types of jars can you use with jam jar covers?
You can reuse any type of jar as long as you decorate it. Special preserving jars with decorative lids are also available to buy and come in many attractive shapes.
Tutorial 1: Decorating jam jars with a square fabric cover
Material
- Fabric scraps 20 x 20 cm
- Self-adhesive trim
- Elastic band, 8 mm wide
- Hang tags and stickers with your design
1. Cut your fabric scraps to size, approx. 20 x 20 cm, and have the self-adhesive trim ready. A plain trim will do if you can’t find a self-adhesive one. You will also need an 8 mm wide elastic band.
2. Every jam jar has a different lid size so you will need to measure it. Take a piece of fabric that’s about 4 cm bigger than the lid and cut out a square.
3. Find and mark the middle of the piece of fabric. Then place the lid in the center and trace around it with a pencil.
4. Extend the markings by 2 cm around the circle you have just traced: This is where the elastic band will be attached.
5. Using a self-adhesive trim makes things much easier. These types of trims can be found in craft and DIY shops. Just stick the trim around the edges of the square of fabric and then secure it with a simple stitch (straight stitch 3.5) and lock the stitches in place.
6. Use the jar to estimate the length of elastic band needed. Place the band around the neck of the jar below the lid and make a mark. Add a seam allowance of about 1 cm to make sewing easier. The elastic should now be divided into 4 equal sections: Mark the sections with pins.
7. Next, pin the elastic band evenly onto the outer traced circle of the fabric. Use multiple pins as this will make sewing the band on much easier. Use a simple stitch (2 or 2.5) to secure the band making sure to stretch the elastic as you go. The fabric should be as smooth as possible while you are sewing.
8. Take the pins out and secure the jam pot covers with a pretty ribbon. Use self-designed stickers and hang tags to finish decorating your jam jars and you’re done!
Tutorial 2: Decorating jam jars with a round fabric cover
Material
- Fabric scraps 20 x 20 cm
- Self-adhesive trim
- Elastic band, 8 mm wide
- Hang tags and stickers with your design
1. Take a square piece of fabric and cut it into a circle. We will show you exactly how it’s done below. But first, you need to mark the middle of the square, trace a circle and then extend the markings just as shown in the tutorial above.
Fold the square in half.
Then fold the bottom edge upwards.
Now fold the bottom edge to the left as per the picture below.
2. Fold the left side over to the center fold and mark the spot by making a small cut: This is where the curve of the circle starts.
You can now cut the curve with your scissors.
3. Sew the trim on, close to the edge. You can hem the fabric with a zigzag stitch beforehand, if you wish. The ends of the trim should then be secured with multiple zigzag stitches for a neat finish. Carefully trim the overhanging ends.
4. The elastic band will need to be divided into 4 equal sections as outlined in the previous tutorial. Don’t forget to use plenty of pins to attach the band onto the fabric to make sewing easier!
5. Opt for a pretty three-step zigzag stitch for a more interesting look. Pull the cover over the jar and adjust the border.
6. The same trim can also be used to create a bow. Measure the trim by placing it around the top of the jar and sew the ends together by going over them repeatedly with a simple stitch.
7. Finish off by adding your personalized stickers and hang tags.
Often, it's nice to include a little something extra with your gift. You can wrap this in a handmade box. To learn how to make your own box out of cardboard, check out our other blog post for a step-by-step guide!
