Embroidered Watering Can Wrap

The watering can wrap is made with two finished pieces that we will demonstrate below.

First, measure the watering can with a tape measure to determine what size wrap will need to be made.

Measure one side of the watering can starting in the front, just above the center of the spout...

...measuring to the back center of the can just above the handle.

Using a ruler, measure the height on the side of the can. We measured just below the top handle to the bottom edge of the watering can. 

If the watering can you are using has a support rod connecting the spout and the body of the can, be sure to start your measurements below the support rod so that the wrap does not run into this piece. 

Next, measure the height of the spout where it attaches to the watering can (ours measured 2 inches high).

Also, measure the width of the spout (ours measured 1 3/4 inches wide).

Measure the height of the bottom of the back handle where it attaches to the watering can (ours measure 1 1/4 inch high)...

...and also the width of the handle (ours measured 1 inch wide).

On the front of the can measure the length from the bottom edge of the can to the bottom of the spout (ours measured 1 inch).

Finally, on the back of the can measure the bottom edge of the can to the bottom of the handle (ours measured 2 inches).

Now it's time to prepare the fabric for the wrap. Take the recorded dimensions from one side of the watering can, and add 2 inches to the width and 1 inch to the height.

Our can measured 12 inches wide by 6 1/4 inches high, so the dimensions for the side pieces are 14 inches wide by 7 1/4 inches high. Cut two pieces of the fabric to this size.

In order for the wrap to fit around the spout and handle, we will use the recorded measurements to mark and "notch" the fabric.

Lay one piece of the measured fabric with the right side facing up.

We will mark the spout first. Starting at the bottom left corner of the fabric on the short end, measure up 1/2 inch for the bottom edge seam allowance. Then, use the measurements of the distance between the bottom edge of the can and the bottom of the spout (ours is 1 inch), and add another 1/2 inch for a seam allowance for the notch - make a mark at this point. 

Next, take the measurement from the height of the spout where it attaches to the watering can and divide by two. Take this measurement, and mark up from the first point.

Then, take the width of the spout and subtract 1/2 inch for a seam allowance. Take this measurement and measure and mark out from the two marks. Draw lines connecting the marks.

Now we will mark the notch for the handle. 

Starting at the bottom right corner on the opposite end of the fabric, measure up 1/2 inch for the bottom edge seam allowance.

Then, add the distance between the bottom edge of the can and the bottom of the handle (ours is 2 inches), and another 1/2 inch for a seam allowance for the notch, and make a mark at this point. 

Next, take the height of the handle and divide by two. Using this measurement, measure and mark up from the first point.

Then, take the width of the bottom of the handle and subtract 1/2 inch for a seam allowance. Take this measurement and measure and mark out from the two marks. Draw lines connecting the marks.

Next, lay the piece of unmarked fabric with the right side facing down. Align the marked piece on top of the unmarked fabric with the wrong sides together. Pin in place.

Next, cut out the notches and be sure to cut through both layers of fabric.

Once the fabric is cut, unpin the two pieces of fabric.

Now we will prepare one piece of the fabric for the embroidery.

Print a full size template of the design using your embroidery software. Trim around the edges of the design so it is easy to place on the fabric. 

Place the design in the center of the fabric. Position the template by measuring equal distances between the center point on the template to the center points on each side of the fabric. To get the center points on the fabric, measure equal distances between the center point, top, and bottom of the fabric, and mark the horizontal and vertical axis points. Using an air erase pen, poke a hole in the middle of the template and mark the fabric.

Remove the template and draw lines connecting the horizontal and vertical axis points.

Spray a piece of cutaway stabilizer with a bit of temporary adhesive. Smooth the fabric on top and hoop the fabric and stabilizer together by aligning the marks on the hoop with the lines on the fabric.

Attach the hoop to the machine and position the hoop so that the needle is directly over the center point on the fabric. 

Embroider the design.

Trim away the excess stabilizer from the backof the embroidery once the design has finished.

Now, repeat the embroidery process for the other piece of fabric for the wrap.

It's time to assemble the wrap!
 
To prepare the denim fabric backing for the side pieces, lay one of the embroidered pieces on top of a new piece of denim fabric with the right sides together. Pin in place and cut out the shape so that the new denim piece has the same shape as the embroidered piece. 

Repeat this step for the second embroidered piece.

Take one of the embroidered pieces and sew a 1/2 inch seam along the short ends and the top side only - leave the bottom open for turning.

Please note the direction of the embroidered design and the placement of the notches to find the top side and short end.

Then, cut slits in the inside corners of the notches. Be extra careful to not cut any of the stitches! 

Also, trim each of the corners.

Turn the fabric pieces right side out (You can use the end of a pen to push out the corners, if needed).

Use an iron to press the seams. Then, turn the bottom edges in 1/2 inch and press in place.

Cut the decorative trim long enough to extend across the top and bottom edges of both pieces of the wrap. Leave about 1/2 inch excess on all the ends.

Turn the ends of the trim under 1/2 inch and align the trim along the top and bottom edges of the wrap.

Then, pin in place. Be sure to align the trim with the bottom edge of the fabric. Sewing on the trim will close the opening at the bottom.

Sew a seam along the top and bottom edges of the trim.

Cut strips of Velcro to fit inside the "tabs" on both sides of the wrap.

Place the "loop" side of the Velcro on the front side of the tabs on one of the embroidered pieces and then place the "hook" side on the backside of the tabs on the other embroidered piece.

Spray the Velcro with a bit of adhesive and pressed them in place.

Sew a seam around the outer edges of each piece of Velcro.

To add the wrap to the watering can, lay the watering can on its side. Align the side with the embroidered piece that has the Velcro attached to the front of the fabric.

Then, holding the first side of the wrap in place, flip the can over, and align the other side on the watering can with the second embroidered piece, and press the Velcro tabs in place.

To create the decorative vine for the spout, cut a piece of paper stem wire to the appropriate length (We wound the stem wire around the spout first to be sure we had the perfect length).

Cut the artificial flowers and leaves to the desired size and add them to the stem wire by wrapping floral tape around the ends, as well as the stem wire.

After the flower and leaves are added, use more floral tape around the remaining wire to give it a nice finish.

Insert one end of the stem into the front seam of the wrap and then wrap the wire around the spout.

Your project is now complete!