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How To Make a Cute Paper Vase Mason Jar Sleeve

Inside: A tutorial on making an easy vase sleeve to instantly turn jars and bottles into pretty vases.

I made these paper vase mason jar sleeves when I realised I didn’t have enough small flower vases.

When I get a big bunch of flowers, instead of putting them all in one vase, I separate them into lots of smaller vases; I can turn any mason jar into a pretty flower with this paper vase sleeves vase.

I can even turn plastic bottles and tin cans into pretty vases with these handy wallpaper sleeves, not just mason jars.

This is an almost cost-free craft that only takes five minutes to make. It is a great way to upcycle old jars, food cans, and soda bottles. It also involves one of my favourite crafts, sewing paper!

Making Wallpaper Vase Sleeves

These paper vases were made with leftover wallpaper samples and scraps. Wallpaper is great for crafting. The paper is very robust, strong, and flexible at the same time. It comes in many fabulous colours and designs. You can easily get free wallpaper samples from your local home store.

wallpaper sample and mason jar

I love to craft and upcycle wallpaper and have used it to decoupage tables, wallpaper mirrors, and even upcycle a garbage bin with wallpaper. The leftover wallpaper scraps from these projects are used for other smaller crafts.

I made one of these paper vase mason jar sleeves from wallpaper leftover when I wallpapered my stairs. The print was the iconic Marimekko Unikko poppy, one of my favourite ever designs.

For the other vases, I use wallpaper samples. I was lucky enough to be given an old wallpaper sample book from my local interior shop for upcycling. However, you can easily get free wallpaper samples for individual designs. So you can pick wallpaper designs that will match your decor.

These paper vases are a fun, affordable home decor paper craft. If you combine them with some upcycled fabric flowers, they will make a lovely homemade eco-friendly gift.

How To Make A Paper Vase Mason Jar Sleeve

A sewing machine is all you need to make these paper vases beside the wallpaper sample.

Step 1: Draw out a template of the flower vase shape. Ensure the vase sleeve’s circumference is wide enough to cover your mason jar. You can download and use the vase shape here.

paper  sleeve template

Step 2: Next, place the paper template on top of the wallpaper sample and draw around it. Then cut out the vase shape. You will need two identical vase shapes for each mason jar sleeve cover.

You can use the same wallpaper for both sides or two different designs. If you use two different wallpaper designs, one on each side, you can turn around your paper vase for a different look.

Drawing around the template
two paper vase wallpaper shapes

Step 3: The next stage is the fun bit, stitching wallpaper. I used a sewing machine for this. If you have never stitched paper on a sewing machine, I recommend giving it a go. It’s straightforward and great fun. I prefer stitching paper over fabric. Have little practice first to get the hang of it before sewing the paper vase.

Place the two paper vase shapes wrong sides together. Holding them in place, stitch up both sides of the vase, and open the bottom and top. I used cotton thread in a colour that would be visible on the paper vases.

When you have finished sewing, trim the thread ends, and instead of tying a knot, add a tiny dab of glue to stop them from unravelling.

Stitching the paper vases
stitched paper vase

Step 4: To finish off, all left to do is open the paper vase sleeve at the bottom and slip it over the top of the mason jar. Don’t forget to add flowers!

opening the mason jar sleeve
Popping the mason jar sleeve over the jar
Marimekko paper vase and daffodils

10 Things To Consider When Sewing Paper

  1. Use a sharp needle such as a jean needle in your machine
  2. Any sewing machine will be suitable for sewing paper
  3. Don’t use pins. If you have to hold two pieces of paper together, use folded-over Sellotape to keep them together or sewing clips.
  4. Use a medium to large stitch length. If the stitch is too short, the holes in the paper will be too close to one another and tear easily.
  5. Go slowly; I can control the speed of my sewing machine with my foot pedal. The harder I press on the pedal, the faster the sewing, so press lightly.
  6. Practice on a scrap piece of paper to make sure it is suitable. Wallpaper and stronger papers work well.
  7. If the paper tears easily when sewing, try using a fusible web backing with the paper to strengthen it.
  8. Stitch on the front of your paper. The holes the needle makes sometimes don’t look so good from the backside.
  9. When manoeuvring around corners on the paper, stop with the needle in the down position. Then lift the presser foot and turn the paper.
  10. Use a piece of tape or a dab of glue on the back to secure the end threads.

I enjoyed making the vases so much that I dug out a wallpaper sample book I had acquired from my local interior shop and made more paper vases. I made so many paper vases I ran out of mason jars, so I used the sleeves on tin cans and cut plastic bottles.

cutting bottle
placing paper vase over a tin can
Monochrome paper vase with flowers
Trio of Monochrome paper vases
Blue paper vases
paper vase mason jar sleeves on mantle

If you want to try out some other sewing paper projects, check out my map paper hearts, the cute Easter bunny treat bags or the collection of crafting with wallpaper ideas on the site. These map paper moths are a fun free-form machine-stitched papercraft.

Perhaps try these paper DIY plant pot covers to make a non-stitched version of a vase sleeve.

Stitching on paper by hand is also possible, like with my cool embroidered dictionary art.

For more upcycled vase ideas, how about these hand-painted glass bud vases, fabric decoupage vase, or a leather Boho vase. If you love mason jars, check out this denim hanging mason jar vase.

I combined Marimekko and tin cans to make wonderful colourful flower planters for the garden. I also made old tin cans look like faux Ming vases.

Southern Crush Collective - Southern Crush at Home

Saturday 27th of November 2021

[…] Credit: Pillar Box Blue […]

Kerryanne

Friday 2nd of April 2021

Wow... what a clever idea Claire!! Thank you for sharing your paper vase sleeves at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I'm delighted to be featuring them at tonight's party and pinning too. Happy Easter, Kerryanne

Claire Armstrong

Friday 2nd of April 2021

Thank you so much. I look forward to seeing the feature, Happy Easter.

Donna @ Modern on Monticello

Wednesday 31st of March 2021

You are such a clever crafty and recycling woman! Love to see what you make each week. These are genius! Thanks so much for visiting and sharing each week. #HomeMattersParty

Claire Armstrong

Thursday 1st of April 2021

Aww, thank you that is very kind of you to say so. I just love free crafting.

NINA LEWIS

Tuesday 30th of March 2021

I absolutely adore this idea! Part of what makes these sleeves so gorgeous is the beautiful paper that you've used. I'm going to make some and hope they turn out as pretty as yours!

I'm going to feature this at our Party in Your PJs link party that starts tonight. Thanks for participating in our link party. I really appreciate it -- and always love what you share!

Claire Armstrong

Wednesday 31st of March 2021

Thank you, Nina. I have quite a stash of. Old wallpaper to choose from as I hord any samples I get. Thank you so much for hosting.

Deirdre Henry

Monday 29th of March 2021

Wonderful idea, simple but so effective. You are very talanted. Thank you for sharing.

Claire Armstrong

Tuesday 30th of March 2021

Thank you, that’s very kind of you to say so.