One Yard Wednesday - Green Fabric Votives

It's time to start pulling out all things green...


Got green fabrics leftover from (insert any crafty adventure here)?

On one of my bloghopping adventures I came across these adorable votive jars at Fellow Fellow.

Remember back at Christmas time - we had talked about ways to be thriftier in 2012.  One of those ways was to save your glass jars.  Like spaghetti sauce, salsa, etc., jars.

Well, today, we're going to jazz one up!

Pull out your green scraps and the glass object of your choice.  The amount of fabric you will need will depend on the size of your object.  I'm thinking if you have the right size item to cover, you could get by on a  just linear quarter yard.  I had this scrap fabric leftover and it was roughly a foot by width of fabric.  I used less than a quarter of it to cover a former minced garlic jar.  If you wanted to cover something significantly larger or smaller, your fabric needs will change accordingly.

In addition, you will also need craft glue (I use Aleene's Original Tacky Glue), wooden craft sticks (I used two),a container for mixing the glue and some water.  A lid for this container is also helpful, but not necessary.  Also, if you prefer, you can use ModPodge, but the craft glue/water combo is less expensive.  Be sure to have a pair of junky scissors on hand as well - the kind you don't mine getting gloopy with glue.

First, be sure that your object is completely clean.  I did mine with a good hand wash followed by Windex.

Now, some votive candle safety:  These are best used with battery powered tea lights.  However, if you ABSOLUTELY have to have the real thing, be sure that your container has lots of room around the candle.  You want to be sure to keep that flame as far away from the fabric as possible.  Also, hide some rice, sand, small gravel, coffee or other beans, etc. in the bottom of the jar.  These will help dissipate the heat and keep your jar from shattering.

Just another quick note - your item is now NOT SAFE for dishwater of any kind.  If you decide to use this technique a plate or platter (and you can, by the way), you can put wax paper under your goodies if using with food, then give the top a quick wipe with a soapy dishcloth to be sure it's clean when you are done.  BUT DO NOT PUT IT IN THE SINK FULL OF SOAPY WATER NOR IN THE DISHWASHER!  No way!  Don't do it!  Really!

And yet another:  This is messy.  You will get glue on you.  And possibly your work surface.  Newspaper would be helpful.  Also, don't try to take photos of your work while your hands are goopy with glue.  Just good advice from a friend {smile}.

So let's make a mess!

Start by mixing your glue mixture.  In your container of choice, mix glue with water.  I used a mixture that's about 50/50.  You can use more or less glue based on your preferences.  I stirred mine with a bamboo skewer but you can use your craft stick or whatever works for you.

Now measure your container against your fabric.  Lay the fabric out flat on a cutting mat, and measure side

plus bottom

plus side.

I added about 1/2" to this measurement, just to be sure to make up for the curve of the bottom of the jar as well as the narrowing at the neck of the jar.

Cut your fabric into 1/2" strips.

 I don't remember exactly how many I did, but I think I did at least 12-16.

Take these strips for a swim in your glue mixture.  Stir with your choice of item.

Stir until the strips are well saturated with glue mixture.  See how mine went from a sage-y green to practically white?  When the glue gets embedded into the fabric it will not just hold the strips in place, but act like a stiffener.  This will help keep the fabric strips upright against the walls of a vertical container.

Now the fun REALLY begins!  Remove the strips, one at a time, and slowly squeeze the excess glue out.  Then, start layering the strips inside your jar.  Use a craft stick to smoothe them into place and remove any air bubbles that may be behind them.  Overlap them slightly each time you put a new one in.

Work your way around the circle, until all the open space is covered.  Then, trim any overhanging ends with the junky scissors.  Allow to dry.  This will take much longer on a rainy, damp day.  Ask me how I know.  As I write, mine is still drying...

This is what your jar will look like when it's about half-way dry.

Don't worry - the glue will dry clear.  You can tell by the "wet line".  Also, your fabric will shrink up a bit.  It will still look pretty, though.

Once the top is pretty dry, you can trim the top edge again.  Also, you can save your extra glue mixture for other projects.  I use mine when making crocheted snowflakes to stiffen them.  It works great for decoupage projects.

Speaking of...

You could decoupage your jars on the outside with fabric or fancy tissue paper.  Or a glass platter (on the back).  Use the same glue mixture to apply your strips, then add another coat when everything is dry to protect your work.

Have fun with this technique, and enjoy your new votive holder!