Due to request, the Pincushion Sewing Kit is being placed under the grouping of Tutorials so it may be found more easily. The original series of posts can be found by following these links:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-161003-1.htm
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-156993-1.htm
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-159705-1.htm

Hope you enjoy!



It is wonderful that the Quaker Oats company has seen fit to not only sell us wonderful food products, but also is so kind to provide us with a re-usable that enables us to be artistically (maybe I should say "fabric-ally"?) creative! And the second part is free!

The lowly cardboard cylinder becomes a Pincushion Sewing Kit!

The first step is to find a drawer of a height that you like. I used a dresser drawer and if you look inside you can see where I wore a circle in the paper liner from cutting my containers to size. Keep in mind that the instructions supplied here are for a small size container cut to 3 3/4" tall. Your drawer will more than likely be unique. You will have to adjust your pattern height throughout. Also, pick a drawer that is flat on the top of the side so you can hold the knife flush against it securely in order to get a smooth straight cut. I could not hold the knife, turn the canister, and take a picture at the same time, and there was nobody around to take the picture for me. Use a fresh blade. It give a better cut. And it is important to have a clean even cut so the lid will fit back on. Simply hold the blade flush against the top of the drawer edge and turn the container. Keep the top on while you are doing it because it keeps the container more stable.

Here are some canisters already cut, one with batting already glued to it. The batting should extend from the top edge to the bottom. Do not wrap the batting around the top edge. The lid will fit better if you don't add extra thickness. I used some poly batting that I had around. I usually use cotton, just because I like cotton. But I think that is up to you. I used scraps that I had available. In fact I think if you use different fabric scraps for each part, it would make a very cute sewing kit! Since I am relatively new to quilting I don't have very many large scraps yet, but I am working on it! LOL

Use a glue stick and rub it all over the outside of the container. Don't overlap your batting but try to make it abut evenly. If you find that you cut the batting a bit short, you can stitch it together with a lacing stitch, like shoestrings in eyelets.

The dimensions of my batting are 12 3/4" x 3 3/4". If you cut the canister a different height or use the large size, you will have to adjust your measurements accordingly.

After the batting has been glued on, apply glue to the cover fabric along the edge to hold it securely while you wrap the cylinder. The overlapping edge needs a little finish, so run the gluestick along the edge and fold it under making a clean edge. Then glue stick the folded edge to hold the fabric to the canister. If you want you can use a gluegun here. I like the gluestick better because you don't have to worry about being a klutz quite so much, and that is a problem I have to deal with a lot!

Next you will want to hotglue the fabric to the bottom. I could not put glue around the entire perimeter because it would harden during picture taking. But run the gluegun around the the entire perimeter and press the fabric neatly onto the glue. Do this carefully to prevent burning yourself and secondly, try to do a smooth neat job because it makes for a better appearance. I would also suggest that this might not be an appropriate craft for 11 year olds on a sugar buzz! LOL We live and learn! LOL

Use the gluestick again inside the canister on the upper edge to secure the top of the fabric inside the sewing kit. This edge you want to keep as smooth as possible so the lid will fit back onto the container. I would avoid using the gluegun here because it might cause the lid to not fit well enough to close.

To cover the interior I used posterboard cut to size. It is flexible enough to work with and stiff enough to hold its shape. I save all kinds of things that might be re-usable in crafting. A piece of shirt board could work if it is of sufficient size. Run glue down the two long edges, smooth the fabric neatly onto the glue. Make hospital corners to finish the two short sides. This will be turned pretty side out and slipped into the canister. I don't glue mine in. If you choose to use glue to secure it, DO NOT DO IT YET! The bottom needs to be finished first. You can just set the liner aside at this point.

Next, the top! I have used wide bias tape to do this and since there are so many colors available it is a easy choice. I did not have any that matched my fabric, so I used a piece of green fabric cut on the straight of grain. The fabric I picked has a lot of give to it as you can see in the picture. Try to choose one that has a lot of give, or you can cut your own bias strip to coordinate with your other fabrics.

Run the glue stick down the center of the strip a few times to give it some hold. Gluestick one end to clean finish it like you did the fabric for the body. Starting with the unfinished edge, wrap it around the plastic part of the lid and stretch it as you go. Cut away any excess length rather than covering it over, to keep the lid fitting well. At this point I put 3 or 4 stitches in the fabric at the rim to hold it securely together.

Next run hotglue around the inside inner edge under the rim. Smooth the fabric onto the glue. Try to avoid any ripples or folds on the rim. They will keep the lid from fitting.

Repeat the same with the bottom of the lid, keeping in mind to do a smooth job with no wrinkles or folds to keep the lid fitting well.

I am not sure if printing the page with all the cardboard patterns will come out proportionally, so I listed the diameter of each piece. You will see that there are some that need to be covered with fabric, one that does not, one that is for the fabric of the pincushion itself. Three cardboard circles of varying sizes need to be covered with fabric. To avoid any more mental overload, use a damaged CD as a pattern to cut three fabric circles which you will gather to cover the three cardboard circles. The size of the CD will accommodate all three which is easier than making three more circle patterns.

Back to the lid! Make sure you hotglue the correct circles in the right places. If you transfer the identification from the pattern it will help, but mark it however helps you keep it straight. Dry fitting them before you glue will help too.

Hotglue the bottom of the lid and place the corresponding covered circle onto it.

Pincushion: Simply push it into the top. I do not glue mine. If you want to you can do it. I have never had one pop out. Smooth any wrinkles on the pincushion. I have an assortment of wood skewers, popsicle sticks, etc. I use for such things.

Push the appropriate circle into the canister to finish the bottom. Then place the liner, pretty side out, into it. I do not usually glue this either. I think I would do more damage with the gluegun than what can happen from the pieces not being glued! It is your choice.

Bottom of sewing kit: Hotglue the unfinished bottom of the container and place the matching fabric covered circle onto it. Depending on the fabric weight and your glue habits, you may be able to gently push the circle into the bottom slightly for a tighter fit.

Thanks for sharing.

And here is the finished product, a lovely pincushion sewing kit made from a disposable!

I always find straight pins with pretty matching heads to stick into the top. If giving as a gift, you can drop a few new spools of thread, a tape measure, a pack of needles, or a small pair of scissors inside. Even for a person who does not sew, this can be handy to have in the house to replace a button or fix a hem. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial as much as I did in making it! KastleKitty :-D :-D :-D

That is lovely!!!!!!!! Good job on the tute also!

just love that fabric, thanks for the tut too

thanks

Wonderful tutorial! Thanks so much!!! :thumbup:

Yay, now I know what to do with all those empty Quaker containers! Thanks so much for a great idea and an even greater tutorial!

It's adorable!!! Thanks for tute!

What a great little gift that will make! Thanks for the tutorial.

Thanks

Thanks

Thanks for the cool tutorial, great job

Good job on the tute. Really great idea, I will have to try making one, just need some really cute fabric..

I that is one of the easiest tuts I have ever seen. Thank you sooooo much!!! I hope to make some of these...

fantastic.

Great tut...Thanks so much for sharing. :)

OH! I love to make pin cushions. Can you please tell us your source for the pattern? Thank you and happy sewing!

isnt that the cutest thing! thanks!!

What a great tutorial..I am so impressed. If this is an original idea, you should submit it to a quilting site . The step by step you provide is amazing and leaves no need for questions or confusion. Madeline

I made the pattern myself. I have no source other than sitting and looking at the containers that I repeatedly threw out and wishing I could do something with them besides sending them to the dump! LOL LOL

For this pattern I just sat down and figured out how to do it! I have given them for gifts. And, I have painted several for storing what-nots too! Here is a picture of a painted one. I have a UFO cross stitch in it! (Keeps the threads from being lost!) UFOs everywhere! LOL

Very cute!! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks so much for this wonderful tutorial!

How timely your wonderful tut is! I NEED a new pincushion and just finished making one of the mannequin ones that is sooooo ugly.....This one looks so cute and easy that I think even I can make it.

Thanks so much.

I second that! I always hate throwing them away because I knew they would be good for something!!

You ARE THE BEST KastleKitty. My local quilting partner in crime is a pincushion ADDICT. She just may get one of these for Christmas.

Thanks again for ALL your efforts put forth to create such a clear and concise tut! It's GREAT!