Alison Hotchkiss of San Francisco–based Alison Events shared this easy centerpiece idea with Epicurious. She recommends lining the vases up along the length of your table to create a unique centerpiece. Best of all, after the party, each guest can take home a vase as a memento. The vases shown here are covered in vintage-inspired fabric and were originally part of 1960s-themed bridal shower, but they can be adapted for any type of party.
When choosing your fabric, note that a heavier cloth is less likely to show glue through it—look for sturdier materials such as refined burlap, silk dupioni, duck cotton, or heavy polyester. Hotchkiss also recommends using fabric that has printing on both sides; if it's only printed on one side, the blank side may show through the glass. We've allotted enough fabric that you can order an extra vase in each size for practicing.
These instructions are for two sizes of vase (6-by-6-inch and 1 3/4-by-1 3/4-by-8-inch). Different-size fabric strips are used for each, but the process is exactly the same.
Ingredients
Special equipment:
Preparation
Step 1
Cut fabric into 1-yard and ½-yard sections. Cut 1-yard section into 12 (24- by 3-inch) strips.
Step 2
Place one 6-inch vase on your work surface so opening faces away from you.
Step 3
Arrange one fabric strip on side of vase that's face up, leaving 1½ inches of space from both top and bottom of vase.
Step 4
Using glue gun, dot two rows of glue sparingly onto side of vase that is face up; the rows should line up just below where top and bottom of fabric strip will be positioned. Use only as much glue as necessary, or it may show through fabric.
Step 5
Repeat with remaining three sides, wrapping fabric around and gluing each side completely before moving on to next side. Repeat with remaining 6-inch vases.
Step 6
Cut remaining 1/2-yard fabric into 12 (7- by 5-inch) strips.
Step 7
Place one 8-inch vase down on your work surface so opening faces away from you.
Step 8
Arrange one fabric strip on side of vase that's face up, leaving 1½ inches of space from both top and bottom of vase.
Step 9
Using glue gun, dot two rows of glue sparingly onto side of vase that is face up; the rows should line up just below where top and bottom of fabric strip will be positioned. Use only as much glue as necessary, or it may show through fabric.
Step 10
Repeat with remaining three sides, wrapping fabric around and gluing each side completely before moving on to next side. Repeat with remaining 8-inch vases.
Step 11
Allow vases to dry for at least 24 hours.
Step 12
Fill vases with water and flowers, then arrange, in alternating sizes, along length of table.
