Monday, February 1, 2016

Tutorial ~ Stickable Bottle Cap Pincushion


Over a year ago, I attended a quilt retreat. When I took a break to walk around I walked passed a much older lady sitting at her sewing machine and sewing happily. We struck a conversation and chatted for a while and I noticed that she had a tiny tiny pincushion stuck to her sewing machine. I asked her where she got it and she said she made it with a bottle cap. Ha! Why didn't I think of that before?? When I am sewing I put my pincushion on top of the machine or beside the machine and sometimes I forget where I put it. It would be very convenient if I could stick a pincushion somewhere on the machine: out of the way of fabric but still very close when I am pulling out the needles as I continue sewing. On the way home from the retreat, I was so ready to make one... then I totally forgot to do so until last week when I really could have used one.

I made some and created this tutorial to share with you! It is a very quick and simple project. Just remember to keep some bottle caps before you toss out the empty bottles.:)

{You will need}

Plastic bottle cap (Most of mine are from soda bottles. I found it better to have a deeper cap instead of a shallow one)
Fabric scrap
Fiber fill
Thread
Small trims (Pom-pom, lace, ribbon whatever you desire)
Glue gun and glue
Glue for the trim

{How to}

1. Create a 3"diameter template with tick paper, and trace that on to fabric scrap. Cut out the circle.

2. Stitch around the edge with big stitches.

3. Pull the thread a little and stuff it with fiber fill and pull the thread all the way. I like my pincushions stuffed very well.

4. I stitched the top back and forth to keep the top from coming undone then tie the knot to finish it off.

5. Place a little drop of glue into the bottle cap and put the fabric ball you made in step 4, stitched side down, into the bottle cap. Squeeze it tight for a minute or so until the glue is hardened and the pincushion is secure.

6. I added lace around the cap as a finishing touch...

7. For adhesive I chose double sided tape with some cushion. That way, if I want to stick the pincushion on uneven surfaces there is some flexibility.

I was so excited about this and had to test it out right away! Check this out, I can stick this on the top and the side of the machine or right by my hand.


Because it was so easy and fun to make, I made a few more...

This will make a pretty, practical and inexpensive gift for your sewing friends for sure!

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial. Thank you for visiting today! :)





35 comments :

  1. This is so cute and a really good idea. The body of my machine is metal so I think I shall make one and add a self adhesive magnetic strip so that I can move it round the machine if I want too. Thank you for the tutorial

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    1. Be careful using magnet if your machine is the computerised sort. The magnet interfere with the electronics.

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    2. Brilliant idea for the pincushion. I totally agree about the magnetic strip. Once I had one of those magnetic bowls next to the machine and it totally messed with the computer in the machine. As soon as it was removed from the area, All was ok again. Stickies are the way to go!

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    3. stick velcro would be my choice

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  2. Oh, these are very cute and so pretty. It would be interesting to group a few together to make a tiny flower pin cushion.

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  3. Very pretty, Sachiko. Such a good idea.

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  4. Super cute pincushion!Lovely idea! Thanks for sharing great tutorial!
    Hope you have a wonderful week!
    Hugs and love from Portugal,
    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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  5. I love this idea and so simple. I also like the idea of grouping some of them together to make a tiny flower pin cushion as mention in another comment above. What great ideas ladies.

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  6. oh way cute. I love how pretty these are! I'm so glad you shared these with us. I will have to find myself some trims and get to work on some.

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  7. wow very clever & good to re-purpose bottle caps!
    they are also very cute!
    thanx for sharing

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  8. These are darling! They look like little cupcakes. Love it.

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  9. So cute! Thanks for sharing, really love it.

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  10. Why is any in miniature just THAT much more adorable?! These are no exception..thanks for sharing and I can not wait to make these lil' cuties!

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  11. I love this!!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!!

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  12. Love this idea! I think I will add a small magnate to mine in place of the sticky tape. Thanks so much for sharing this super cute pincushion idea!!! :)

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  13. Is there a print function for these instructions ? :)

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  14. This is great, now I won't have to worry about dropping my pins as much while sewing.

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  15. this is sew cook! I can't wait to make some

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  16. Love that you made a ton, thanks for the tut! Im inspired now!

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  17. Thank you! very cute and easy to make.

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  18. I love the idea and the lace is is sweet touch. I would suggest using Velcro sticky type circles so that it can be taken off when the machine goes in for repair if you have a hard case top.

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  19. I, too, have a tiny bottle cap pincushion that is on my sewing machine. Your tut is great. I did do a couple of different things...I used crushed walnut shells for the stuffing. Also, when attaching it to the machine I used 'stickable' Velcro dots; that way I can remove the pincushion when I put my machine in it's carrying case. Just a few weeks ago, I made another small pincushion which has an elastic band on it. I hung it on the front of my Sweet Sixteen. Anyone who gets used to a pincushion that doesn't move, will be hooked!! This is the perfect place to put my cheater needle when I quilt and also I have a large decorated pin that is so handy when I need a stiletto while sewing.

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  20. These are adorable! Thank you so much for sharing. I can't wait to make some. :)

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  21. I have also seen these done as a finger pincushion by using a piece of round elastic. Punch 2 holes in the cap before attaching the cushion part. Inset ends of elastic cord through the holes from the outside and tie a knot that is snug on your finger. Then cover the opening as described in the above directions.

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  22. This is such a fun idea! Thanks for sharing :) I'm thinking it will be a fun Christmas swap gift too.

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  23. Thanks for the post. It’s very nice to see. I would like to comment your post. You done a great work here.

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  24. I made these a few years ago, only gluing elastic on the bottle caps forming a ring. Still right there when you need it.

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  25. I know this is an old post,but i still want to thank you for it,so cute,and i have lots of bottle caps,saved them for the kids to craft with.

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  26. I made this with a piece of round elastic tied through two holes in the cap and tied to fit my finger before attaching the fabric cushion to make a finger pincushion.

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  27. I’ve made the ring pincushion before but recently I’ve needed this exact thing. I have a magnet tied in a scrap of cloth to find the pins that fall on my carpet that lives on the side of my machine. I’ve been putting pins there as I pull them out of my sewing but now I can make an adorable little pincushion to attach to the side. Thanks for this great idea and everyone comments.

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  28. Its very very pretty and easy. Thank u for sharing.

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  29. I just love this great idea thanks

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  30. This is six years later from your original post and its still a great idea. I just made one and I don't know how I lived without it. LOL Thank you so much!!!!

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