Tuesday Tutorial: Patchwork Paper Covered Jar

So I wanted a fun way reuse a glass jar that held pasta sauce and of course thought about using paper (My goodness I think about nothing besides paper and fabric when it comes to crafting and creating :))... and then thought about somehow using Mod Podge, and finally thought about sewing the paper together in a patchwork and then Mod Podging it to the jar. These super simple-to-make jars would make great pencil/scissor/etc. holders, or put the top on and tie a tag to it, fill it with candy and it would be great to give as a gift :)

I traded out the pasta sauce jar top for a canning lid I had on hand so that it would be plain and not have a logo all over it.

Supplies:
+ 1 jar, cleaned out and the sticker label removed (I used goo gone and steel wool)
+ Mod Podge (I used the matte)
+ Foam Paintbrush
+ Scissors
+ Paper scraps (junk mail, old security envelopes, magazine scraps) - I used a bunch of vintage scraps from other projects I already had on hand
+ Sewing machine - optional - I sewed all of my pieces together in a patchwork style, but you could easily mod podge the scraps directly onto the jar with no sewing involved
+ Ribbon, to tie around the rim/neck of the jar

First, measure your jar from the bottom to the top of the neck right below the screw top. Mine measured 6 inches - the picture is somewhat deceiving, so I added lines to where the actual measurements are. Even though the bottom area looks to be longer, in reality it stops at the line (couldn't figure out how to show this better in a picture ;)). Next, measure the circumference of the jar: mine was about 11 inches. (*Note: This particular jar of pasta sauce was 24 oz. and these were my measurements for that size jar- so, 6" tall, 11" circumference).
Then, start sewing your scraps together. I would sew pieces together and then cut through them to add another scrap (see below pictures). I tried to keep the patchwork to about 6.5" tall so that I could trim it down to size later on. I wanted to make it about 12" long in order to trim it down to size and have a little leftover for adhering.
To sew the pieces together, I overlapped them about .25" - .5" and sewed a straight stitch.
Keep cutting, piecing and sewing.
Once I got to the approximate measurements needed (6.5" x 12"), I trimmed it down to 6"x11.5" - the 11.5" length would allow the edges to overlap when Mod Podging to the jar.
Next, flip the patchwork over so you are looking at the back. On the long side (11.5"), draw a faint line .5" from the edge on each side.
Then fray those edges with scissors, not going past the line you just drew. This will help the paper to lay down on the curvy part of the jar when you Mod Podge it.
Frayed.
Put down some old newspaper, or old paper to protect your working surface while you are Mod Podging. Begin brushing on Mod Podge and get ready to adhere the patchwork.
Begin adhering the patchwork, with the frayed edges at the top and bottom. Gently push the fray on the curves to secure it. Smooth out the paper as you adhere it to the jar. Keep adding Mod Podge and continue to adhere the paper and smooth it down.
The neck with the fray adhered.
Once you have the patchwork completely on, Mod Podge the outside on top of the paper with 2 or 3 coats. Use your finger to smooth out any wrinkles (although, mine had wrinkles and I ended up leaving some of them, I liked how it added to the vintage feel).
Tie your ribbon on, add a tag to label (if desired) and voil�! A super fun reused glass jar and paper scraps :)