Mason Jar Vases-Countdown to Christmas 2015

• Contain It! English Paper Pieced-Accessories
• Printed copies of Templates 123, 124, 125, 126, 127 and 128 (be sure to check that it printed correctly by measuring the 2″ square printed on the pattern piece)
• 2 fat quarters of fabric (18″ x 22″)
• Stabilizer (Peltex, Timtex or Buckram) measuring 20″ x 25″
• 1/4″ Fusible Tape (we like Steam-a-Seam 2)
• Iron with Steam
• Coordinating thread
• Basic sewing supplies (needle, scissors, thimble, wonderclips or pins etc)
• Mason or quilted jelly jar.  We provide the templates for three different heights, so you can choose the size jar that works for you.

In addition to using some of the templates from Contain It! to make this gift box, the book will also serve as the full set of instructions for prepping the materials and constructing the Mason Jar vase and optional lid. Here is the basic outline of the steps, but be sure to also read the instructions for the cube starting on page 25, as this Mason Jar Vase and Lid  can be assembled following the same steps.

1.Gather the supplies listed above and review the basic container instructions in Contain It! starting on page 9.

2. Make your templates and cut the following pieces. As always, be sure to label everything!

Template 12 – Inner Base – Cut 1 Stabilizer Piece
Cut 1 Fabric Piece

Template 13 – Outer Base – Cut 1 Stabilizer Piece
Cut 1 Fabric Piece

3. Using Templates 123, 124, 125, 126, 127 and 128 that you printed, create your template and cut the following pieces. Remember to use the 2″ square printed on Templates to ensure it printed correctly.

The sides of the Quilted Jelly Jars are given on the same template, denoted by Short, Medium, or Tall.  Make the Pattern Piece by tracing the template to the appropriate height.

Template 123 – Inner Side – Cut 4 Stabilizer Pieces
Cut 4 Fabric PIeces

 Template 124 – Outer Side – Cut 4 Stabilizer PIeces
Cut 4 Fabric PIeces

The Quilted Jelly Jar Lid Container will fit all of the above containers.

Template 125 – Inner Base – Cut 1 Stabilizer Piece
Cut 1 Fabric PIece

Template 126 – Inner Side – Cut 4 Stabilizer PIeces
Cut 4 Fabric PIeces

Template 127 – Outer Base – Cut 1 Stabilizer PIeces
Cut 1 Fabric PIeces

 Template 128 – Outer Side – Cut 4 Stablizer Pieces
Cut 4 Fabric PIeces

4. Follow the directions for cube construction that begin on page 25. These vases and lid are identical in construction to the cube just with slightly different dimensions to fit your mason or jelly jars. Remember that all of the 3-D containers are constructed in the same way with these basic steps:

• Make the templates
• Cut the stabilizer pieces
• Cut the fabric pieces
• Fuse the fabric and stabilizer pieces together
• Assemble the Octopus
• Sew the Octopus (hand or machine-see pages 13-15)
• Complete the container with the outside base
• Remember that if you want a lid for your vase (as seen in the middle vase below), you’ll need to use those templates to make a separate container that fits over the Mason Jar Vase.

5. Decide what you’ll do with your new gift box! Keep it for yourself? Or give it as a hostess gift when you attend Thanksgiving or another holiday party? Maybe you could fill the jar up with holiday candy, add the vase lid and give it as a present!

Either way, be sure to post your pictures on the Prairie Sewn Studios Facebook Page or email them to us at contact@PrairieSewnStudios.com.

We’ll see you next week on October 26 for the second project from our Countdown to Christmas with instructions to make a Pumpkin with Piping!