Being a craft blogger I have a craft room dedicated to working on my projects so I’m always trying to find ways to organize and make it look prettier. Sometimes this means using things from around the home, like mason jars to store bits and bobs. So, today I want to show you how to turn a simple mason jar into a pin cushion jar. This project takes about 30-minutes so you can whip one up while catching an episode of your favorite series.
Do you remember when I recently made the hair scrunchies? You might recognize the fabric I used from that project. It’s amazing what one little fat quarter can produce. I also used a few strips of it to make a small fabric garland to hang on the wall.
How To Make a Pin Cushion Jar
You can probably make this pin cushion jar from items you keep around the house, and make many more as gifts too, especially if you are like me and have a cupboard just dedicated to mason jars.
The container on the right in the below photo is what I was keeping my sewing pins in. It has to be well over 15 years old, I’m pretty sure I bought it before moving here from Australia (and I’ve been here 15 years) because there’s a small Safeway sticker on it, and over here (at least where I live) Safeway is Vons. I also had a separate pin cushion to keep next to me while I was sewing. Now everything is together.
Supplies:
- Fabric
- Embroidery thread and needle
- Mason jar
- Stuffing
- Felt
- Fabric marker
- Hot glue
Instructions:
The first thing you want to do is measure out the backing for the jar, so you don’t forget after it’s all assembled and need to pull everything apart … don’t ask me how I know this.
Lay the jar lid on top of the felt and draw around it with the fabric marker. Cut out your circle and set it aside.
The next step is to measure your fabric. You can do this in a few ways.
- lay your jar lid onto the fabric and measure at least an inch wider all the way around
- use a protractor to measure out a circle that’s at least an inch wider than the lid
- or grab a trusty bowl from the kitchen (which I did) that’s larger than the lid and draw around it with the fabric marker
Tip: The more stuffing you put into the fabric, the more fabric you will need. So if you want an extra poofy pin cushion, then make your fabric circle just a little bit wider, say an inch and a half larger than the lid.
Next, take the embroidery thread and needle and hand stitch about half a centimeter from the edge of the fabric all the way around, gathering it up as you go. I prefer embroidery thread for this instead of cotton because it’s stronger. If you are rough on things like I am, then you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t fall apart later. You’re essentially making a little basket to hold the stuffing.
Now, pop your stuffing inside.
And then your jar lid, making to pop it in the as shown.
Pull the embroidery thread tight and sew a couple of stitches to secure it in place.
The last step is to use a little hot glue to secure the felt backing you cut out earlier onto the back to not only hide the stitches, but the glue will stop the fabric from fraying too.
Push it firmly into the jar ring, fill your jar with pins, and pop the lid on. You might need to push down firmly on it to secure it because you have all that extra ‘stuff’ inside the lid now.
Please Pin Post For Later:
Awesome idea thank you so much for sharing and including a great tutorial much appreciated. I have just made one but cut the initial pin cushion size far too small for the lid of the mason jar … redid it then added a wooden disc instead of the felt and another piece of toweling (material used for pin cushion) glued to the bottom of the cushion. I glued the material to bottom of the pin cushion as you did then glued it to the wooden disc. I covered up the wooden disc on the side with a decorative pink ribbon and bow. I then glued it to the lid of the mason jar. Realized i need to add more stuffing as mine is rather flattish. Thank you again. Regards and keep up the great work .
Hey! What’s up. I tried this, and I can’t close the mason jar. Any tips on how to make it work better? It’s such a cute little pincushion, I’d love to make one that works. ;)
Thanks!
Irene S.
Hi Irene, I’m not sure why it’s not closing. The only things I can recommend are to make sure the stuffing is more centralized and not too close to the edges of the lid, and to make sure the felt piece doesn’t go all the way to the sides either.
I had a very fun time trying to get it to work I had to try a couple times and It was AMAZING!
Thank you. Very clear directions that were easy to follow. I now have two new pin cushion jars.
Thanks for this great idea! I didn’t have mason jar so I just glued the pillow to the lid of a normal jar, works just as well. ;-)
So cute!! I’m wondering though – I prefer to use crushed walnut shells, mainly for weight and to help keep pins sharp. It can be done in combination with stuffing, but do you think it would work with this? I’m not sure how to keep them from spilling out while fitting through the ring. Love the concept!!
Cindy – A lot of things are not safe for animals, children or grown-ups!!!!!! Children must be taught early on that they can not touch or use certain things until they can do so responsibly. BUT, the younger generation now does not want to hurt their childs feelings, and therefore do no discipline or teach.
Hi Philip, these are the jars https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ball-Collection-Elite-Glass-Mason-Jar-with-Lid-and-Band-Wide-Mouth-8-Ounces-4-Count/16213253 I love them for playdates for the kids, especially for decorating cookies, cupcakes and ice cream bars because the toppings don’t get lost and they are easy to scoop out with a spoon.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a mason jar this show. (Short?) Anyway it’s really cool even by itself. Where does one find one like this? Does it have a certain name or measurement I could Googe?
Nice pin cushion. I have it’s sister the magnetic pin holder. Just place earth magnets on the bottom inside of the lid and close. Jar holds my wonder clips.
Most likely, I have a whole cupboard full of jars and I re-purpose them often for different projects.
This would look so cute with decorative or vintage buttons stored inside. Pin cushion on top, display piece on the bottom!!
Why didn’t I think of that? Thanks.
Cindy, I have had 13 children and never did they monkey with my pin cushions or pins. I guess it is possible for kids to put just about anything in their mouths but you have to let them know it is not a good idea.
What a cute and useful pincushion! Thanks for the tutorial!
the jar lid looks like it is dented in the lid. Is that something you did?
Lots of things aren’t safe for children and pets and I’m sure we all have the good sense to store them safely! Thank you for the project Tonya.
That pin cushion is not safe for children or pets. They can easily pick up the pin cushion and put it in their mouth. If you do make one, make sure you put it away from children and pets. In a drawer or on a high shelf.