DIY Jar Openers

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Having trouble opening your favorite jar of peaches, jam or spaghetti sauce? We've got you covered with this handy DIY jar opener. All you need is a small, repurposed scrap of rubber shelf liner, a pretty piece of fabric to match your kitchen decor and the ability to sew a straight line. So, if stubborn jar lids are on your list of kitchen pet peeves or if you've been looking for a fun way to use up some fabric scraps then this project is for you.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Things You'll Need

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 1

Place the right sides of the fabric and rubber shelf liner together. Line up the edges and pin in place. Sew a 1/2-inch seam, leaving a 3-inch opening in one side. Be sure to remove the pins as you sew.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 2

Clip each corner at a 45° angle. This will help each corner lie flat by reducing the bulk when turned right side out. Be careful to not cut the stitching.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 3

Turn right side out by pulling the fabric through the opening. Use a chopstick or a pencil to push out each corner.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 4

Tuck in the raw edges of the opening and pin in place. Close the opening by topstitching close to the edge. Continue to topstitch around all four sides.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 5

So, the next time you have a lid that's refusing to open easily, just place the rubber side down onto the lid, turn and VOILA, no more frustrating stuck jar lids.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Image Credit: Beth Huntington

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