2 original ideas for personalized flowerpots

Personalized pots are a both a pretty and practical way to show the name of your plants using a stencil and chalkboard paint or felt. The following steps will give you some suggestions to make them according to your taste, from felt or terracotta pots.

This original pot measures about 13 centimetres (5 1/2 inches) high. Fill it with plants and place it on the ground, or plant it in the garden (the roots will cross through the felt).

• Industrial felt 30 × 40 cm (12 x 15 in) and from 3 to 4 mm (0.12 to 0.16 in) thick
• Matching sewing thread and needle
• Stranded embroidery cotton
• Pot to serve as template/pattern
• Kraft paper or newspaper
• 2 pins or toothpicks
• Tape
• Pencil
• Paper scissors

1. To make the pattern, tape, using the adhesive tape, a pin or toothpick at the top and bottom of the pot, aligning and letting them go slightly beyond; they serve as benchmarks to mark both edges of thepattern.
2. Place the pot (template) sideways on the paper, the pins at the bottom, and mark, using the pencil, the two points that will form one of the edges of the pattern. Starting from the pins, slowly roll the pot onto the paper by gradually tracing the top and bottom. Stop when you arrive at the pins.
3. Remove the pot and draw a vertical line on each side of the two curves to finish the pattern around the pot.
4. Place the pot upright on another piece of paper and trace the outline to form the pattern of the background.
5. Cut out the patterns following the traces (you do not need to leave a margin for sewing). You have then obtained a pattern for the perimeter of the pot and another for the bottom.
6. Pin the pattern onto the felt and cut carefully.
7. Assemble the straight edges and sew them edge to edge with sewing thread. Reinforce the seam with a cross stitch line over the entire height with embroidery cotton. Then stitch the bottom of the pot.

Adopt this solution if you change your plantings often. In this case, you can remove the name with a damp cloth, wait until the pot is dry, and then write the new name in chalk.

• Terracotta pot
• Small can of blackboard paint
• Flat brush
• Chalk

1. Clean the surface of the pot according to the directions on the paint can (the paint will not adhere to a greasy or dusty medium). Let dry.
2. Carefully paint the pot rim. Let dry.
3. Write the name of the plant in chalk. For a fancier version, you can also add the Latin name (if you bought the plants in a garden centre, the two names appearing on the label).

Gardening is an activity that is relaxing and enjoyable! Try the two suggested techniques and create the most colourful floral ornaments for your home.