Pincushion and Storage Container

Pincushion and Storage Container   

This pincushion and storage container is meant to hold all the straight pins that you're using and those you're not.  Simply open the jar lid and drop the extras in.  When you run short or need a few extra pins, they are conveniently close at hand.  

To begin, you will need the following:

a wide mouth jar with two piece lid, scissors, pencil or marker, fabric scraps, batting scraps, cardboard (for template), hot glue gun and glue.

Start off by making a template using the lid to draw a circle on the cardboard and cut it out.

Place the template on your batting and cut around the cardboard.  Repeat to cut four round pieces of batting.  (Note that they do not need to be perfectly round.)  Keep the cut off pieces of batting.  We'll use those first.

Using the cardboard template, cut one fabric circle bottom.  I used coordinating fabric to match the print I used for the pincushion, but you can use the same fabric for both the top and the bottom.

Use a bowl or saucer as a template to mark a circle about twice the size of your lid--it is not necessary to stress over the size, just make sure it's fairly large in comparison.  Mark your circle and cut it out.  Thread your needle with about 18 inches of thread.  You will need to make a knot at both ends of the thread so that it will be a double strand.

On the wrong side of your fabric, fold the raw edge down 1/4 inch and begin your stitches.  You will make a continuous running stitch completely around the fabric circle folding the edge down and working the needle in and out of the fabric.  This is exactly like making a fabric yo-yo, except do not pull the thread tightly just yet. Set aside for a few minutes.

 Use the hot glue gun to put several lines of glue on the top of the metal lid and put some of the scrap batting pieces you cut off the circle on top of the glue.

Stack the batting circles together and put on top of the scrap pieces.  You'll have to hold the batting down and place the wrong side of the fabric yo-yo down on top.  

Slide the sewn edges around to the back of the metal lid and pull the thread tightly to draw up the fabric.  Knot the thread and cut.  

Use the glue gun again to drop a bead of glue around the edge of the fabric circle and carefully cover the bottom of the lid with the smaller piece of fabric.

Now you can pop the covered lid into the ring.

Screwing the lid onto the jar is tricky at first, but once it's on and left for a few days, it gets easier.  Tighten the lid well so it smashes the fabrics.

And your storage container is ready for use!

An idea for those who do not sew much but are able to repair clothing and such is to put all your supplies in one convenient place.  The jar can hold several small spools of thread, safety pins, needles, buttons and so on, while the pincushion can conveniently hold the pins and needles while you are working on a project.  The wide mouth lid allows for easy access to the items in storage.  Makes for a good gift1