Handmade Holiday: Can Cover

 Hello again!  We're back with another quick & easy Handmade Holiday gift idea ... we're calling this one the "can cover."  Think of all the things that you can put in a can ... pens, pencils, scissors, rulers, etc. This is the perfect gift for a teacher, fellow crafter ... or yourself!  And I bet you have a few scraps you couldn't bear to get rid of that would be perfect to use and put on display!  Let's get started!

First, you need an empty can.  I used a famous maker's chicken noodle soup can, washed and label removed, of course!  I measured my can and it was 3-7/8" high and 8-1/4" around.  I added a 1/2 inch to each of those measurements for my foundation piece.  (Note: in hindsight, I would add an inch to the height measurement - it'll be easier later!)

Cut out a foundation piece ... I used some some Bella Solid Snow here.

Next, take some scraps and start stitching them down.  Here, I started with a piece of Designer Houndstooth in Gray and then added some strips from other projects.  Lay the next strip right side down overlapping the first strip. Stitch, folder over, press and repeat.

 Keep adding strips until you get the foundation piece covered and then trim it back down to size.

 Next, stitch a scant 1/4 seam to form a tube and make sure it will fit snugly around the can.

Once you've checked this, then you just turn the tube right side out and press under about 1/4" along the top and bottom and stitch in place.  (Note - this is where it would be better to have more wiggle room to press the edges to the inside.  A 1/4" extra along the top and bottom was a little tight!  So add about inch to your original height measurement when cutting your foundation piece.) 

Then put your can in its new "outfit" and admire your work!  :-)

So what do you think?  What would you use a covered can for?  If you decide to make some can covers, we'd love to see them!  Please leave a link to your photo or blog post so we can check it out! 

Back tomorrow with another project!  See you then! :-)