My pin cushion was a gift and I immediately threw out my tomato as I loved it so much. And it's super easy.
Make a quilt block of your choice as big as you want you pin cushion to be plus enough for the seams. Mine is a beautiful log cabin on the front with matching solid on the back. Sew on 3 sides. Stuff full of batting or polyfill or whatever. Handsew shut.
I like it because it's so big I never lose it. It fits right into my sewing cases. I also like it because it's not as stiff as a tomato. My hands are kinda messed up so I have to grab the tomato with one hand and pull out the pin with the other. This one I can just use one hand and that way I can use my other one to hold together whatever I am pinning.
Just a suggestion, I don't know if it would work for your needs or not.