July 2, 2008

Tis the season for strawberries...

I've noticed there is a lot of jam making happening in Blogland lately, plus with Wimbledon also on, and so thought this tutorial for a really easy jar jar topper might be useful, if you have jam left over you'd like to give as a gift.


To make one for strawberry jam (the pattern can be easily adapted for other fruit), you will need - 
 
a jam jar with lid (mine is 8.5 cm across, and notice, once again for the purposes of photography, I have 'stunt' jam, not homemade!), a circle of felt measuring 16cm across (you will need a larger piece if your jam jar is larger than mine), two pieces of red felt 2.5cm x 4.5cm, another piece of red felt cut into a strawberry shape about 3cm tall, a small amount of green felt for leaves, about 58cm of narrow ribbon, some red, green and yellow embroidery thread (I've used pearl cotton 8), a small amount of stuffing, pencil, pins, sewing needle and some scissors.

First, scallop around the edge of the large felt circle, I just used normal scissors for this and did it freehand, but if you have some scalloped edge scissors, you could use those.

Then, place the jam jar lid centrally, and draw round it with a pencil to mark its position.  Thread the needle with the ribbon, weave it in and out all the way round, 1cm away from the drawn circle.  You may need to poke a small hole with some sharp scissors first, just make sure that both ends of the ribbon come out on the top side of the topper so they can be tied in a bow.

Next, to make mini strawberries to decorate the ribbon with, fold the red rectangle in half, and sew down one of the open edges which is at a right angle to the fold.  Trim the open side to a curve,

turn the shape inside out so the seams are on the inside, fill with a little stuffing, then sew running stitch all the way round the open edge, and pull to gather.

Before you sew it up, poke in one end of the ribbon, then secure the top with a few stitches.

Next, decorate the strawberry with a few yellow french knots, cut 4 small leaf shapes out of the green felt, and sew them to the top with the green thread.  Repeat, for the second strawberry.

Place the topper on the jam jar, and gather the ribbon, then pin the felt strawberry shape centrally to the top.  Applique it on by sewing blanket stitch around the edge, leave a small gap at the top, fill with a little stuffing, continue stitching to close it up.

Again, decorate the strawberry with some yellow french knots and add some more green felt leaves.  Then pop your topper back on your jam jar and tie the ribbon into a bow.  The good thing about making this in felt, is felt is quite forgiving, it is really easy to sew with, doesn't fray, and has a little 'give' in it so will stretch to fit if it's a little tight.

There you go, all you need know are some scones, clotted cream and a pot of tea!

If you make something from one of my tutorials please do join the Flickr group, Lucykate Crafts... pattern pieces, to show off your creations.

61 comments:

Anonymous said...

This cover is so lovely.Just right for a cream tea.

Mrs Moog said...

I love it!! Such a great way to make a jar of jam into a really special gift - thanks for sharing :)

xxx

Jo in TAS said...

The jam topper is gorgeous, thank-you for sharing how to make them!

Erna said...

wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww this one is soo adorable! now I even want to make more jam!!

jenny allsorts said...

Fantastic tutorial and adorable finished project! And I love your "stunt" jam. That's pretty much all I have around here, none of the real stuff. ;o)

Kitty said...

That is so pretty!

You write some of the best tutorials I've seen - they make me feel like I could actually *do* it.

x

Charmed Life said...

Just lovely...gives me the urge to whip up some strawberry jam, just to make the topper. I view strawberry motifs like ladybugs. they always make me smile.

Catalina Alvarez said...

Absolutely adorable!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Cata

Anonymous said...

Oh woe! You put my jam pots to shame! I think I'd better hide their shameful ugliness at the back of the cupboard! ('cept that's too far away when there's scones for tea - and there is today, now.... got to go.....)

Absolutely beautiful!

Colleen Martin said...

You always have the most darling ideas! The quirky faces on your animals kill me =0) Love the topper for your 'stunt jar' of strawberry preserves.

Mod and Mint said...

This is so adorable. Really perfect to go as a gift with homemade jam!

Genie said...

Hi found your blog Thru Jenny,s You do some Lovely work, This is also a thankyou for the inspiration, i made a Embellisher Toadstool Pin cushion today
Regards Jean

Anonymous said...

Super cute !!
Thanks for sharing.

Annie B said...

wow...and I just happen to have some of that "stunt jam" hanging around my fridge too, so how could I resist?...great tutorial, thanks

Jodie said...

Fantastic!!! Even "stunt" jam would be a great gift if it is dressed up like this. Thankyou.

Kate said...

That is such a great idea - looks so lovely!

Anonymous said...

I love it! Thank you so much for sharing.

life in red shoes said...

So sweet, it may compete with the jam!

Mytutorlist.com said...

Amazing! It looks fantastic. Thanks for sharing your tutorial. I will have to try it out ASAP!

Apryl said...

that is beautiful! love it... and the stunt jam as well! you should have these in you etsy shop.. they would go down a treat... especially as its so cute and funtional.... what a lovely gift it would make, some jam (homeade or not) in a gift basket with a jam jar cover and some other lovely treats... mmmm

Anonymous said...

Wonderful, thanks for the lovely tutorial! I'm curious about the clotted cream, what exactly is it?

Hells said...

That is so cute. Ideal for a mother's day present. If I get started now I may finish by next mother's day!!!

Anonymous said...

I love your felt jam pot cover! I have never mastered the art of jam making, even though I must have picked a tonn of blackberries.

Suzanne Vaughan said...

LK - that is wonderful as usual! Really lovely idea. I may have to make some for my mum as she makes jam.

Suzanne Vaughan said...

LK - that is wonderful as usual! Really lovely idea. I may have to make some for my mum as she makes jam.

Florence Knapp (Flossie Teacakes) said...

I love your jam cover - doesn't that ribbon look lovely threaded through the felt - I hadn't imagined that would be possible, but it looks perfect. x

Gina said...

What a fabulous idea! So effective and it would make such a wonderful gift. Thank you for sharing this!

Anonymous said...

How beautiful and I agree that this would make a great little gift.

pasiakowa said...

This is absolutely wonderful!

Karin said...

ooh, this makes me want to make some jam :)

Miaou said...

Gorgeous, so pretty! You have really nice felt too - it makes such a difference using good quality materials.

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

I love it....now if I got a pot of Jam I usually might think..Mmm nice Jam...thanks...If I got one of these I would be whopping it up with joy!!! Adorable...Need to have ago at this, I wait a little later in the month to make my strawbery Jam...I like the fruit a little past its best then you do not need to use so much sugar...Perfect idea of Christmas presents....Oh did I really say the C word in July!!!! Thank you for sharing this beauty with us:-)

Sal said...

What a fab idea..I want to rush out and get the materials to make these asap!!;-)

jillytacy said...

This jam topper is lovely. I usually can zucchini relish during the summer and gift it as gifts at holiday time. Somehow I don't think a zucchini topper will look as cute as the strawberries. Maybe I should make jam instead. lol!

silverpebble said...

So sweet - a gorgeous little strawberry. So fab for the top of a jar of home-made...

jen said...

what a great idea. so cute! thank you so much for posting this! (bonne maman is the best jam too!)

Anonymous said...

This is adorable. I am posting a link to it on my blog. Too cute!!

kristena marie said...

That's so cute! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Wow!! How perfect is this? I'm so happy craft posted this. Well deserved recognition. I love it.

Gossamer said...

That's the nicest looking jam topper I've seen!

Anonymous said...

c'est parfait!!!

dottycookie said...

Oh that's gorgeous - you're very clever!

Sarah Doyle said...

This jam jar topper tutorial is excellent. My daughter and her husband have honey bees and I can just see this topper with a honey bee or two decorations on the top. Thanks so much for the great job.

Sarah J Doyle
http://SewingBusiness.com
http://SarahJDoyle.com

Happy Zombie said...

Absolutely adorable! I will HAVE to make this (and I have about 3 dozen of those empty Bonne Maman "stunt jars" (that cracked me up) that could use some covering up. Too, too cute... thank you for the toot!

Fancy Elastic said...

wow! that's incredible!

Unknown said...

I love love love love this idea!!

Clare Carter said...

Wow, aren't I happy I found you!!!Your blog is gorgeous and I shall be back - needle at the ready : )

Louise said...

Oh my goodness how absolutely gorgeous. You do everything so beautifully! I have to make some for my jam making mum - she'll love them!

praveenboss said...

good work ... great goin... visit mine...link1

Little Birdie Secrets said...

LOVE those little strawberries! So cute! We loved this idea so much we featured it on our blog, littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com. We wanted all our friends to see your amazing craftiness! Thanks for being our spotlight!

Lauri said...

How timely! I found your link over on Chickenfoot. I have been wanting to make strawberry jam all summer...thought it would be fun to do with the kids-manic beginning of the summer thinking, I think! lol! Anyway, never did it and after the kids go back I want to make some strawberry jam/preserves, along with some other fruits and things...including cactus, because I live in San Antonio, and your lid topper is absolutely ADORABLE!!! Bookmarking this for sure!
Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Essa é a primeira vez que venho aqui. Sou do Brasil e embora não fale ingles, pelas fotos dá para entender tudo. Estou adorando. Obrigado. Thanks. Kiss. Tania Mara.

Filipa said...

Fantastic! Very well explained with nice pics!!!

nini said...

fantastique, adorables!!

Molly Betsy @ Star Cottage said...

Wow! I have to make these. I love making Jam and canning. I will be sure to post it and when I do I will link back to you and give credit where it is due. :) Lovely lovely

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adile2011 said...

Boa Tarde!!!!
Gostei muito da idéia, mande mais sugestões para meu e-mail: adile.santiago179@gmail.com
Desde já agradeço, e PARABÉNS!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I love it because it's great for gifts! Thanks for the idea!

Caroline White

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JulMiron said...

Спасибо за идеи!

sa75ra said...

so beautiful !!! great idea and so perfectly done...