Animal Applique Rubber Gripper ( Jar Opener )

This is a very simple solution to the common need. An easy jar opener. All of the things reqiured to make this can be purchased at a corner dollar store. And the simple design is easy to adapt to make look according to your tastes.

Scrap fabric

Rubber Shelf Liner

Needle & thread /or sewing machine

Felt

Stick pins

You can cut a pattern out of paper to experiment with what you would like your opener to look like before cutting your felt or you can freehand it like I did. This is such a simple little project that it's more fun to me to just free cut and get a kind of rustic random look.

Lay out your face and pin it in place, aking sure there will be space around the edge for the seem allowance. Next, stich each piece in place. Now that everything is secure, cut your face out of your fabric. Be sure to leave that space of the seem allowance( I'd suggest at least a 1/4 inch... Error on the side of more as it can always be trimmed later)

Cut a piece of self liner slightly larger than your trimmed piece. Pin the rubber to the decorated side of the fabric. Be sure to take note of where you are going to leave your hole to flip your project right side out. Stitch around the outer edge. Besure you are actually stitching though and attaching the rubber. You have to check as you go along because the holes may leave gaps if you are not careful. You can always add more stitches.

Cut away excess rubber following fabric edge. Trim any excess fabric now if you have it. Carefully pull your project right side out through your hole and flatten.

Bend the raw edges inside the Hole and pin in place. Carefully stitch the hole closed hiding your stiches in the edge as you pull it together

Some people stitch across the whole piece like they are quilting. It is the quickest way. If you do that I would suggest using translucent thread so it doesn't interfere with your design. I hid my sitches around the edges of my face applique pattern and around the egde of the whole edge from the back hiding the threads mostly in the seems. It does not need to be stitched down completely but enough not to shift or pull the edges from the seems. So at least go around the whole edge to reinforce the seem.

Your rubber gripper is now done.