Crafty Candle Cozy

I love jar candles and I’m guilty of buying too many of them. When I buy a bunch for a holiday it seems strange to keep them out after the holiday is over even if I still love the candle. Many years ago, I decided I could give the candles new life by covering the holiday design with cute fabric by sewing quilted candle cozies. I’m excited to share the tutorial with you today.

Here is what you will need for this project:

• Jar Candle
• Sewing machine - I used the Brother LB5000M
  
• Fabric scraps
• Snaps or button and elastic
• Fusible interfacing {can be fusible foam as seen here, or just heavyweight fusible}

Let’s start by determining the size our cozy. Measure your candle’s side to determine the height and then all the way around to determine the length. Add ½” to the height and 1-2” to the length. If using snaps add 2”, if using a button closure add 1”. I made a simple striped design for my project, but you can use this basic idea and create ANY design you want. For the stripes, cut 1” strips of 4-5 different fabrics. My strips were from fat quarters and I cut the full length of fabric. I had 7 strips of 4 fabrics. Cut a back piece the full dimension of your measurements. Mine is 3.5” x 13”. Also cut your interfacing at this time. You should have seam allowance on both long sides and more on the ends. My interfacing is 3” x 12”. Sew all your long strips of fabric together with a ¼” seam allowance. Continue sewing all strips together. You can iron as you go or at the end. I chose to wait until I had all sewn together. Press and decide on final design at this point. You can have the stripes going the long way or cut the fabric to height and turn the stripes up and down. If using the short stripes, you will need to sew the sections of stripes together. Press again. Fuse the interfacing according to the directions to the wrong side of your backing fabric. I placed my interfacing so it was closer to one end than the other. Cut your striped piece to the same dimensions of your backing piece. With right sides together pin or clip the front stripes and back piece to each other. Sew together leaving the short side without interfacing open. If your interfacing is getting in the way of sewing, you can position your needle to the left to sew closer. (this is what I did) After it’s sewn together, turn the fabric out to the right side and push out the corners. Choose the snaps (use 2) or 1 button for your project now and also cut 2” of elastic. Fold the open end of the cozy in to finish the short end. If using a button, add the elastic in the seam allowance before you sew. Stitch along the end to finish the edge and stitch in the elastic. Hand sew on the button you chose in the center about 1” from the end. OR add two snaps overlapping the fabric ends. Now you have a finished cozy that takes your candle from Christmas to Valentine’s Day! (or any time of year!) Happy Sewing!