I make pincushions from bars of soap. Cut a piece of batting the width of the bar and a length that will wrap around the bar at least twice. Cut a strip of fabric, selvage to selvage, 1" wider than the bar of soap. Then use the fabric like you would cord on a package, twisting on the "back" of the soap and bringing the ends to the top. Then tie a nice square knot and trim the ends of the fabric. I don't take the paper wrapping off the bar of soap.