Looking for a simple way to dress up your plant pots? Try this fabric plant pot cover pattern and sew a cover from your favorite fabric.
Looking for a simple way to dress up your plant pots? Sew a fabric plant pot cover using your favorite fabric and give an ordinary container a fresh new look.
This easy sewing project turns a few pieces of fabric and some stabilizer into a structured cover that slips around an existing plant pot. You can use one fabric for a simple look or combine two prints to make the cover more interesting.
You don’t need advanced sewing skills for this project. If you can sew a straight line and work with basic fabric pieces, you can make this cover at home.
What You Need to Make a Fabric Plant Pot Cover
You only need a few basic materials and sewing tools. Gather everything before you start so you can work through the steps without stopping.
Materials
- Fabric:
- Sewing thread
- Thick sew-in stabilizer
- A potted houseplant
The amount of fabric and stabilizer you need depends on the size of your pot.
Sewing Supplies
Keep these tools nearby:
* Ruler
* Measuring tape
* Fabric scissors
* Sewing pins
* Sewing machine
* Hand sewing needle
* Iron
Before cutting anything, measure the actual pot you plan to use. Your measurements may be different from the example below.
DIY Fabric Plant Pot Cover: Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: Measure Your Plant Pot
Start by measuring the pot that will sit inside the cover.
Measure its height from the bottom to the top edge. Add about 1 to 1½ inches to the height so the cover has a little extra room.
Next, measure around the widest part of the pot. For many pots, this will be near the top, but measure the widest point if your pot has a different shape.
Add about 1 inch to the circumference measurement. This gives the pot enough room to slide into the cover without making it too tight.
For example, if you want a finished cover that is about 6 inches tall and 20 inches around, use those measurements as your finished dimensions. Add your chosen seam allowance when calculating the cutting measurements.
For this tutorial, a ½-inch seam allowance is a simple choice.
Step 2: Cut the Fabric and Stabilizer
Once you have your measurements, cut the fabric pieces.
This version uses two fabric sections, so you can combine different fabrics if you like. The upper section can be one print while the lower section uses another.
Cut the Upper Section
Divide the finished height of the cover into roughly three parts. If your finished cover is 6 inches tall, the upper section can be about 2 inches high.
Add the seam allowance before cutting.
For example, if the finished upper section needs to be 2 × 20 inches, you can cut a piece approximately 3 × 21 inches, depending on how you are joining the sections and finishing the edges.
Cut the Lower Section
The lower section will make up the remaining height. For a 6-inch cover, you could make the lower section about 4 inches high.
Add the required seam allowance to your cutting measurements. Using the example above, the lower piece could be approximately 5 × 21 inches.
The exact measurements will depend on your pot, so use your own measurements rather than copying the example if your container is a different size.
Cut the Stabilizer
Cut one large rectangle of stabilizer to fit the finished height and width of the cover.
For the 6 × 20-inch example, the stabilizer can be approximately 6 × 20 inches.
Using one piece of stabilizer helps give the finished cover an even, structured shape.
Step 3: Join the Two Fabric Sections
Place the upper and lower fabric pieces together with their right sides facing each other.
Line up the long edges and pin them together. Stitch across the seam using your sewing machine.
Once you’ve finished sewing, open the fabric and press the seam flat with an iron.
You should now have one long fabric panel made from the two sections.
Step 4: Attach the Stabilizer
Place the stabilizer on the wrong side of the fabric panel.
Leave about a ½-inch gap between the stabilizer and the raw edges of the fabric. This keeps the stabilizer out of the seam allowance.
Pin the stabilizer in a few places so it doesn’t shift while you’re working. You don’t need to cover the whole piece with pins.
Next, stitch along the edge of the upper fabric section to help hold the stabilizer in place. Because you’re working through a thicker layer, use a slightly longer stitch length if your sewing machine handles the material better that way.
Remove the pins once the stabilizer is secure.
Step 5: Finish the Top Edge
Turn the seam allowance at the top of the cover toward the stabilizer.
Fold the raw edge under once more to create a clean hem. Pin the fold in place.
Stitch along the top edge to hold the hem closed. Keep the fold even as you sew so the finished opening looks neat.
Make sure the folded edge will sit on the inside of the cover rather than showing on the outside.
Step 6: Finish the Bottom Edge
Finish the bottom edge in the same way.
Fold the seam allowance toward the stabilizer, then fold the raw edge under to hide it. Pin the fold and stitch along the length of the bottom edge.
You should now have a flat, finished panel with neat top and bottom edges.
Step 7: Sew the Side Seam
Bring the two short ends of the panel together with the right sides facing each other.
Pin the edges together. Pay attention to the point where the upper and lower fabrics meet and line up the seams as closely as possible.
Sew straight down the side seam.
Once you’ve finished sewing, turn the cover right side out. It should now form a fabric cylinder that fits around your plant pot.
Step 8: Cut the Bottom Circle
The cover needs a bottom piece to close the base.
Place the finished cover upright on a piece of scrap fabric and trace around the bottom opening. Cut out the circle, then add about ½ inch around the edge for the seam allowance.
Use this fabric circle as a guide to cut a matching circle from the stabilizer.
The stabilizer should sit inside the fabric piece rather than extending into the seam allowance.
Step 9: Prepare the Bottom Piece
Place the stabilizer circle on the wrong side of the fabric circle.
Pin the two pieces together.
To make the curved edge easier to handle, make small snips around the fabric’s seam allowance. Cut short lines or small triangles toward the edge, but stop before reaching the stitching line.
Space the snips around the circle rather than cutting them too close together. They allow the fabric to bend around the curve without bunching.
Fold the fabric around the stabilizer and pin it in place. Stitch around the circle close to the edge, working slowly so the curved piece stays smooth.
Step 10: Attach the Bottom to the Cover
Turn the fabric cover inside out.
Place the prepared bottom circle against the bottom opening. Pin the circle to the lower edge of the cover.
Start by placing pins at the front, back, and sides. Then add more pins between these points. This helps distribute the fabric evenly around the circle.
Take your time here. A few extra pins can make the curved seam much easier to manage.
Step 11: Hand Stitch the Bottom
Thread a hand sewing needle and knot the thread.
Start at the back seam of the cover. Use a simple slip stitch to attach the bottom circle to the sides.
Take a small stitch through the edge of the bottom piece, then make another small stitch through the side of the cover. Continue working around the entire circle.
Keep the stitches small and close together so the bottom stays firmly attached.
When you reach the starting point, make a few extra stitches to secure the thread. Trim away the excess.
Your fabric plant pot cover is ready to use.
How to Use Your Fabric Plant Pot Cover
Check the seams before placing your plant inside. Make sure everything is firmly stitched and there are no loose threads that could catch on the pot.
Place the existing potted plant inside the fabric cover.
The fabric cover is designed to slip around an existing pot. It should not replace a proper plant container because fabric does not provide the drainage your plant needs.
When it’s time to water, take the plant out of the cover and water it in a suitable place. Let excess water drain completely before putting the pot back inside.
This also helps prevent water from sitting against the fabric for long periods.
Easy Ways to Customize Your Plant Pot Cover
- Changing the fabric is all you need to give this project a completely different look.
- Try combining two contrasting prints or use a single fabric for a cleaner design. A printed fabric on the upper section can add a small pop of color without making the cover look too busy.
- Neutral fabrics work well if you prefer a simple style. You can also coordinate the material with curtains, cushions, or other fabrics already used in the room.
- Once you know how to make one, try making several covers in different sizes. This is also a useful project for using up leftover fabric from other sewing projects.
Tips for Making a Neater Cover
- Don’t rely on the example measurements if your pot is a different size. Measure the widest part of your pot and its height before cutting.
- The finished cover should not grip the pot too tightly. Leave enough space for the pot to slide in and out without forcing it.
- Very thin fabric may collapse even when you add stabilizer. A medium-weight material gives the cover more structure.
- It helps the cover stand upright and gives it a more finished shape.
- Curved seams can be harder to handle than straight ones. Pinning the circle at several points first will help keep everything evenly spaced.
- Pressing the seams and folded edges as you work makes a noticeable difference to the finished cover.
- A little care during the measuring and pressing stages will help you end up with a fabric plant pot cover that fits your pot neatly and holds its shape.
