This sewn cloth covering is a great way to cover containers that have lost their lids.
I recently found a container in my drawer, but I could not find its lid. This was a little disheartening because I did like the container. I was hoping to continue using it. But I was not going to just give it up. So, I decided to make something in place of the lid.
Sewing seemed like the best option for creating a new lid. Not only can it be easily shaped into the right form, but it can also have a tight fit. While I had a couple of mishaps in creating the pattern, I was able to pivot and come up with a solution that fit!
Check out the Craft section of MCG for more fun patterns in forever fabrics or more unlimited ideas. Leave a comment below and let me know what you think and how the pattern works for you!
Supplies
For this cloth cover project, I collected to following supplies:
- Thread, matching the color of the fabric
- Fabric
- Container, used to make the pattern
- Elastic Band, any color
Process
Creating the Pattern
The first step of making a cloth cover was figuring out how to approach the pattern. I turned the container upside down and placed it against the fabric. This was done to see how much is needed to cover the top. I just traced an outline of the top to create the core of the pattern.
Then I needed to capture the sides of the container. I tried to line up the top and side on the pre-drawn lid outline and traced again. This only worked because I was working with a square container, I am curious how I would approach a round one.
Sewing the Sides
The drawn pattern will create a tight fit, and this is where I first got into a little trouble as it will create a fit that is too tight. I lined up the edges of the sides with each other to recreate a semi-cube. When sewing all of the edges together, the fabric becomes too tight to fit the container.
So, I ended up removing the stitching on one side and extending where the two sides were stitched together. I pushed the stitched line out by about ½ of an inch. This gave the fabric enough slack to make the cloth cover fit over the top of the container.
Adding the Elastic
Since no fabric could be a perfect fit naturally, I wanted to add an elastic band to create a pulled together lid. To start, I wanted to create a enclosure to house the elastic band. I turned in all of the edges on the side and sewed a tube along the long edge. The tube was not closed because I still needed to thread the elastic through.
I used a crochet needle to pull the elastic band through the tube. Growing up, I watched my mother use a safety pin for this same process, but I like using crochet needle because it has most places to grip. The amount of elastic that was pulled through the tube was a lesser length than the tube itself. I did not measure this to be exact, but the elastic should be bunching and pulling the fabric.
Then I sewed together the two ends of the elastic. Since the band will be fully hidden, this does not need to be aesthetically pleasing, just effective. I decided to sew down the center of the elastic band since there would be less potential for fraying if it is in the center.
The band was then pulled fully into the tube and the tube was sewn shut too, so the elastic is fully contained. And that’s it! That’s how to make a cloth cover. Over the course of the project, I trimmed the fabric as needed with pinking shears. Pinking shears were used to help prevent edge fraying since the project edges are open on the inside.
Reflections
This cloth cover was a great simple project that helped put a good container back into service. I would love to attempt this project again to cover a circular bowl and to line the insides so there are no visible edges. I think there is a great potential to use cloth and avoid the waste of cling wrap, but I think the fabric would need to be reinforced.
Lessons
Watch Where You’re Cutting
When cutting fabric, it’s important to watch where you’re cutting. Pulling the fabric so it is isolated really can help when cutting with larger scissors. Else you run the risk of cutting an area that you do not want cut.
Quick Recipe
Container Cloth Cover
Equipment
- 1 Sewing Machine
- Pinking Shears
Materials
- Thread matching the color of the fabric
- Fabric
- Container used to make the pattern
- Elastic Band any color
Instructions
- Use the container to trace the top and sides of the container against the fabric.
- Line up the edges of each side to the corresponding edge and sew in place for three of the edges. For the fourth edge, extend where the line should be sewn by ½ of an inch.
- Fold over the long edge that would line the side of the container. Sew a tube large enough to house the elastic band. With a 1-to-2-inch opening on one side.
- Pull the elastic band through the tube to make the elastic shorter than the tube itself. Sew the end together and pull the elastic fully into the tube. Close the opening in the tube. Trim excess fabric as necessary.