How To Make A Cute Paper Vase Sleeve

Inside: In just five minutes, learn how to create beautiful paper vase sleeves for mason jars, plastic bottles, and tin cans. This easy, cost-free craft is perfect for upcycling old containers.

I created these paper vase sleeves for mason jars when I realized I didn’t have enough small flower vases. Instead of using one large vase, I prefer to spread out a big bunch of flowers into several smaller vases. These paper sleeves make it easy to turn any mason jar into a pretty flower vase.

These versatile sleeves aren’t limited to mason jars; they can also transform plastic bottles and tin cans into beautiful vases. This nearly cost-free craft takes just five minutes to make and is a fantastic way to upcycle old jars, food cans, and soda bottles. Plus, it incorporates 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. It is very robust, strong, and flexible. It comes in many fabulous colours and designs. You can easily get free wallpaper samples from your local home store.

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.

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.

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 a 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.

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!

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.

Other Ideas

If you want to design your own paper vase sleeve, I have a tutorial for making a hand-embroidered paper vase.

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.