Hello friends! I hope that you are having a great weekend so far.
This morning I am off to check out some of the garage sales around town and then I’ll be back home to work on all of the projects I have on the go right now. Too much to do, so little time…
I also have a quick, easy tutorial to share with you today. I made this little pin cushion last week to use on my newly painted sewing cabinet. I had found the white milk glass vase (below) at a thrift store a while back and I thought it would be perfect to use as a holder for a pin cushion.
This pin cushion is so simple to make and it only takes about 10 minutes from start to finish to complete. You could even make this while on the couch watching your favorite TV show. I love those kind of projects! Don’t you?
Supplies You’ll Need:
- a small glass/wooden dish or a wide-mouthed vase or teacup
- polyester batting
- cotton fabric in the pattern of your choice
- a plate to use as a template or any other round object
- an erasable fabric pen or chalk
- thread
- a sewing needle
- scissors
Step 1: Determining the size of fabric you will need
- Measure the diameter of the opening of your bowl/teacup etc. Then double your measurement and add a couple of inches extra for good measure. The excess will help to fill out the inside of your container
- I used a small side plate as my circle template but you could also use a plastic pail or cut a circle out of cardboard to use
Step 2: Drawing and cutting out your fabric shape
- Trace out your shape onto your fabric using your erasable fabric pen or a piece of chalk
- Cut out your shape (doesn’t need to be perfect, mine isn’t!) and iron your piece of fabric to get out all of the wrinkles
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Step 3: Stitching, Filling it Up & Finishing it Off
- Thread your needle with a long length of thread and knot the end. The diameter of my circle was 7 inches so I used about a 14-18 inch length of thread so that I would not run out of thread as I was stitching around my circle
- Baste loose stitches around the edge of your circle about 1/2 ” from the edge
- When you have basted around the entire circle, pull lightly on the thread while holding your piece of fabric in the other hand. Your circle will start to gather to make a little pouch
- Gather your circle evenly all around until there is a 2-3 inch opening. Then stuff it with a handful of polyester batting until it is entirely full. You can use the end of your finger to push the batting around to make sure that it fills the entire pouch and makes a nice, round circle shape
- Pull the remaining thread tight to bring all of the gathering together. Stitch your pin cushion closed, knot the ends and cut your excess thread
- Place your pin cushion inside your container. You shouldn’t have to secure it inside your container; the batting should help to hold it in. If you do find that your pincushion wants to pop out of your container you could add a piece of Velcro or some double-sided tape to help hold it down
Well there you have it! Easy peasy!
Below is another pin cushion that I made using a little china jewelry holder that I also found at the thrift store.
If you like to sew, this is a perfect way to use up all of those little vases and teacups that you will sometimes find at thrift stores and garage sales. They are too cute to pass up but they somehow get lost amongst the other items displayed in your home. You know what I’m talkin’ bout, right?
Take those small vases and teacups out of your china cabinet and make them useful again. Turn them into a pin cushion or two!
A cost rundown for this project is as follows:
$0.50Â Â Little milk glass vase
$1.00Â Â Â Fabric from the clearance bin at my local fabric store
$0.00Â Â Â Polyester batting, needle, thread, erasable pen – free as I already had it.
Total for this project: $1.50!
Woo hoo! I love easy, inexpensive projects that are also useful!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Parties I’ve Linked Up To:
~ Funky Junk Interiors – SNS 133 Link Party ~ Tatertots and Jello – Weekend Wrap Up Party ~ Be Different Act Normal – Show and Tell Saturdays ~ Under the Table and Dreaming – Sunday Showcase Party ~ Homemakers on a Dime – Creative Bloggers’ Party & Hop ~ Skip to My Lou – Made By You Monday ~ Sumo’s Sweet Stuff – Market Yourself Mondays ~ DIY Showoff – DIY Project Parade ~ Craft-o-Maniac – Craft-o-Maniac Monday ~ Between Naps on the Porch – Metamorphosis Monday ~ Sunny Vanilla – Co-Host Linky Party ~ Vintage Wanna Bee – Talent Tuesday ~ Coastal Charm – Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays ~ A Stroll Thru Life – 116th Table Top Tuesday ~ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia – Tuesdays Treasures ~ Home Stories A to Z – Tutorials & Tips Link Party ~ Our DIY Diaries – Fab Not Drab Friday ~ Liz Marie – Link Up With Me ~ Chic on a Shoestring – Flaunt It Friday ~ My Romantic Home – Show and Tell Friday ~ The Shabby Nest – Frugal Friday ~ French Country Cottage – Feathered Nest Friday ~ Craftionary – Friday Fun Party ~ ~ Daisy Cottage Designs – Off the Hook ~ Simply Designing – Simply Link Party ~ Days of Chalk & Chocolate – Latest Greatest Friday ~ Redoux Interiors – Friday Features #56Â ~ Craft Envy – Saturday Spotlight ~ I Gotta Create – Wildly Original Round-up ~ I Should Be Mopping the Floors – Mop It Up Mondays ~ Vintage Mauve – Mauvin’ Monday ~ How to Nest for Less – Just a Party With My Peeps ~ Very Merry Vintage Style – STL Wednesday Link Party ~ Creative Itch – Sew Cute Tuesday ~ Doodles and Stitches – Fabulous Friday Link Party ~ Today’s Creative Blog – DIY Craft Projects ~ Kampen Lane – Show Off Monday ~ Maiden D’Shade – Maiden D’Shade Link Party ~ Adorned From Above – Blog Hop ~ The DIY Club – DIY Tutorial Linky Party ~
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24 comments
Jen @ Sunny Vanilla
May 14, 2012 at 11:16 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hi there! Your pic caught my attention because I have the exact same fabric too! It’s really beautiful!!! I love how it pops against the pure white milk vase. I can’t believe you found that for $.50!!! Great bargain and it turned out adorable. It looks much more elegant than my pin cushion, so I’ll have to give this one a shot.
I’d love for you to link it up to a party I’m co-hosting this week: http://sunnyvanilla.blogspot.com/2012/05/co-host-linky-party-with-lines-across_13.html
Take care,
Jen
sunnyvanilla.blogspot.com
Carrie
May 14, 2012 at 7:24 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hi Jen,
Thanks for your kind comments. I would love to see your pin cushion when it is all done. I am sure it will look awesome! I stopped by your party to link up my projects. Thanks also for becoming a follower on Pinterest. I become a follower of yours as well.
Take care,
Carrie
karen
May 14, 2012 at 4:50 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
This project is a gem! So effective! I will have to follow your instructions and give it a go!
Carrie
May 14, 2012 at 7:22 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thanks Karen. I would love to see a photo of your finished pin cushion when it is all done. Thanks for stopping by.
Carrie
Meeha
May 15, 2012 at 4:15 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
This is so cute! I love your choice of fabric and your love for turquoise.
Carrie
May 15, 2012 at 4:19 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thanks Meeha! Yes, turquoise is my newest love. Stay tuned for more turquoise making its debut on my blog.
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life
May 15, 2012 at 3:44 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Oh your pin cushion is adorable. I love it. Great fabric choice. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty
Carrie
May 15, 2012 at 4:21 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thanks Marty for taking the time to stop by and for your sweet comments! I really appreciate it as I know how busy you are. Take care,
Carrie
Michele
May 16, 2012 at 6:23 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
So,so cute!I have a little milk glass vase that will be perfect. I’m going to make one for a friend’s birthday that’s coming soon. Thanks for the instructions.
Carrie
May 17, 2012 at 2:05 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Great idea Michele! I am sure your friend will love it. I am glad you liked this little project and thanks so much for stopping by.
Carrie
Lauren
May 18, 2012 at 5:57 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
What a great idea! I’m loving the robin’s egg and red combo these days! I’ve been thinking about trying to pull out those colors in my living room… might just have to give that a try.
I would love it if you’d stop by and share this at my new link party, Off the Hook:
http://daisycottagedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/05/introducing-off-hook-1.html
Carrie
May 18, 2012 at 9:32 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I stopped by your blog Lauren and linked up a couple of my projects. Thanks for inviting me! I love the robin’s egg and red combo too. My craft room is currently tan, white and gold but I think when we move next year I am going to change the colors to robin’s egg/turquoise, red and white. It is time for a change for sure! Thanks for stopping by.
Carrie
Terrie
May 18, 2012 at 5:58 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Love this! I’ve pinned a lot make my own pincushions on my pinterest board, but I think this is the one I’m going to make and SOON!! Thanks for the inspiration!
Carrie
May 18, 2012 at 9:33 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hi Terrie,
Thanks a lot! I am glad you enjoyed my little pin cushion project. It is such a easy project, even my 11 year old could do it! Please send me photos when you are all done! I would love to see yours.
Carrie
Christina at I Gotta Create
May 20, 2012 at 10:01 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I’m in love with your pincushions! Love the colors and the dishes you used. Beautiful!
<3 Christina
http://igottacreate.blogspot.com
Wildly Original Roundup linky party is open!
Carrie
May 20, 2012 at 8:46 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thank you Christina! I added some of my recent projects to your linky party. I am happy you stopped by.
Christina at I Gotta Create
May 22, 2012 at 5:25 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Featuring you on Facebook this morning! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Igottacreate/100573240032625?sk=wall
Such a sweet little project and I love your other ones, too! Thanks so much for linking up!
<3 Christina
http://igottacreate.blogspot.com
Wildly Original Roundup linky party is open!
Carrie
May 22, 2012 at 6:47 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Awww! Thanks for sharing my little pin cushion Christina! I really appreciate it. :)
Nicole
May 25, 2012 at 2:18 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
This turned out so sweet & I love the fabric! I’ve been wanting to make one to replace my old “tomato pin cushion”. You’ve inspired me to try it. I’d love for you to link this up at my link party… http://www.doodlesandstitches.com/2012/05/fabulous-friday-link-party_25.html
Thanks for sharing!
Carrie
May 25, 2012 at 2:47 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thanks Nicole for your wonderful comments! I am glad you like my pin cushion. It is so simple to do! I am off to check out your link party.
Take care,
Carrie
Kristi
May 26, 2012 at 10:51 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Sew ADORABLE!! I’m featuring this at the party tomorrow! Have a great weekend!
;)
Carrie
May 27, 2012 at 7:38 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Kristi! Thank you for featuring my pin cushion! I really appreciate it!
Take care,
Carrie
Taylor-Ann
May 29, 2012 at 11:37 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Totally cute- beats those ugly tomato pin cushions. I love the fabric print too. I would love if you linked it up to my new link party.
http://www.kampenlane.com/p/link-partys.html
~Taylor-Ann
Carrie
May 29, 2012 at 9:23 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I also used to have one of those tomato pin cushions. It was not that bad. LOL Thanks for stopping by and I went and linked up at your party.