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Although tinned fish has had a recent resurgence in popularity, there are many who have been enjoying - and collecting - this food for decades. Part of the appeal of collecting is the charming packaging and typography. While it’s not considered the most glamorous canned fish in the sea, we think sardines are perfect for this delightful and unexpected felt container. Now you can show off your good taste without taking a single bite!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 3 hours
Additional Supplies:
Sardine Can Pattern (click to download)
Wool Felt Scraps in Light Blue, Dark Blue, Yellow and Red
Ruler
Embroidery Thread - optional
Needle - optional
Directions:
1. Print Sardine Can Pattern above onto cardstock and cut out. For metallic pieces, trace pattern onto non-metallic side of felt.
2. Trim across one long side of each Waves felt piece with 5mm scallop shears to mimic water.
3. In addition to the pattern pieces, cut the following:
- One 1 x 14” strip from Metallic Silver felt
- Two ½ x 7” strips from Thick Slate felt
4. Glue one Base to the center of Tin Bottom (non-metallic side.) Beginning at the center of one end, glue 1 x 14” metallic felt strip along the perimeter of Base. Strip should be flush with Base and Tin Bottom.
Glue strip around entire base and trim any excess. Glue strip ends together. This is the foundation for the bottom of the can.
5. When glue is dry, cut Tin Bottom extending beyond Base and trim edge.
6. Glue Silver elastic cord along bottom edge to cover thickness of Tin Bottom. This is the most time consuming part of the project. Take your time! We had great success with Fast Grab Tacky Glue. Hot glue is also a good option for securing the trim.
7. Complete the interior of sardine can by gluing metallic Sardines to interior Base. Alternate sardine directions.
8. Glue second Base to center of TIN TOP – A (non-metallic side.) Mark middle of each long side of Base with erasable pen.
9. Glue thick felt strip along edge of Base. Start at one middle mark and stop at the other, trimming excess. Repeat with other thick felt strip and glue ends together.
Strip edge should be flush with and entirely secured to base – not touching the Tin Top.
10. Flip over Tin Top and let’s begin decorating the sardine can! Glue Tin Top – B to one end of Tin Top – A. This will be the partially opened side of the can.
11. To mimic the can being partially opened, roll and glue Rolled Top piece, metallic side out. Glue in place where Tin Top A and B meet.
12. Fold one end of metallic Silver pipe cleaner into a turning key shape (see below.)
Trim unfolded end of pipe cleaner to be shorter than width of sardine can. Add glue to long end and slide into opening of the Rolled Top.
13. Glue light blue Waves along bottom metallic side of Tin Top. Glue dark blue Waves over light blue with bottoms aligned. Be sure to fit ends snugly against the Rolled Top. Felt extending past Tin Top will be trimmed in the next step.
14. When glue is dry, flip over Tin Top and trim excess Waves along curve.
15. Glue Slate Sardine to center of Label. If desired, add stitched details to Sardine with embroidery thread for further embellishment. Glue Label to center of Tin Top.
16. Glue red Dots over top of Label to finish can design.
17. Glue Silver elastic cord along top edge to cover thickness of Tin Top.
Your sardine can is finished… and there’s no expiration date! Gently pull up on wire “key” to open and reveal fun treasures inside.
What a fun gift for a tinned fish enthusiast or just a collector of fabulous things!
Thanks to Camille for designing and writing this tutorial! You can follow her on Instagram @notsomodernmillie or visit her website.
