The Life of Jennifer Dawn: Baby Food Jar Pin Cushion Tutorial (Repurposed Baby Food Jar--Part 1)

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Baby Food Jar Pin Cushion Tutorial (Repurposed Baby Food Jar--Part 1)

Ever since Lydia Grace started eating baby food, I have cringed each time a baby food jar has been thrown away. I just couldn't take it anymore, so I asked my husband to help me start saving them. At first I didn't really know what I was going to do with them all, but lately I have been trying to come up with some good ideas.

Here is the first repurposing project...

It's a Baby Food Jar Pin Cushion!
Baby Food Jar Pin Cushions


Supplies:
  • fabric scrap
  • baby food jar with a lid (any size will do)
  • pillow stuffing
  • scissors
  • needle
  • thread
  • glue gun


Directions:

1. Draw a circle on a sheet of paper to make your pattern. You can use a compass to help you with this step. Make the circle 5-6 inches in diameter. Pin the pattern onto scrap fabric and cut out your fabric circle.
2. Thread a needle and tie a knot in the end of the thread. It doesn't matter what color thread you use because it will not show in the end product.
3. Sew around the fabric circle. Do not tie the thread off yet.
4. With the wrong side of the fabric facing down, put pillow stuffing in the center of the fabric circle. Pull on the thread in order to pull the outside of the circle around the stuffing. Secure the center of the pin cushion by continuing to make a few stitches and knotting the thread.


5. Cut off any excess thread. This is what your pin cushion should look like.


6. Using a hot glue gun, secure the pin cushion onto the top of the jar's lid.
7. Using the hot glue gun again, glue ribbon around the edge of the baby food jar. This gives the pin cushion a nice finished look.
The jar of the pin cushion can be used to store buttons or other items you like to keep handy while sewing.
Alternative idea: You can also use large baby food jars to make mini sewing kits. Store some of your sewing essentials inside the jar. Toss these sewing kits into your purse or a drawer in order to have on hand when you need to quickly sew a button or fix a hem.

25 comments:

  1. I love this idea, its great. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. I love this. So cute and useable. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Really cute! I even have that same fabric. I'm past the baby food jars stage, so I'll have to find a friend with a baby:) Thanks for linking!

    Andy
    Poppies at Play

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  4. I love it! I have been wanting a pin cushion. I think I will try this!

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  5. Clever idea... Need to show this to my daughter and daughter-in-law, both sew and are having or have a new baby! Lezlee

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  6. I LOVE THIS! I don't have baby food jars but I have a TON of boullion glass jars that I have been saving because I know they are the perfect size for "something". This is it! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. This is AWESOME! I love re-purposing baby food jars too (:

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  8. I HEART this. What a great use for a baby food jar. Saw this on Somewhat Simple. I seriously heart this.

    Stop by sometime. I am hosting a Christmas in July linky party tomorrow I would love for you to link this up.

    Just Another Day in Paradise

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  9. This is absolutely adorable! Love it! I want to make one now! I don't have a pincushion yet and am new to sewing. This would be so fun! Thanks for sharing!

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  10. Clever! Im going to make some now :) always need more storage when sewing!!

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  11. This is such a great idea! We have lots of baby food jars left over from my grandson's 1st birthday that we used as Thank you gifts. I recently made Halloween tealite candle holders with some and now I'd like to share this one too. Thanks!

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  12. What an awesome idea- I have tons of baby food jars just waiting to be used:) Thanks for auditioning for American Crafter!

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  13. Very cute! Love the repurpose!
    happy crafting!
    Linda

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  14. I love your tutorial!!! Very easy to follow with all of your pictures. I hope you don't mind that i posted this on my blog. If you do i will remove. Thanks!

    http://thegirlintheheartglasses.weebly.com/

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  15. oh Im so happy I found this I was so lost trying to do it on my own!!! I love how easy your directions are! i made my first jar last night and now im working on my seventh one LOL it also inspired me to make little pin toppers for it!!! I hope you dont mind but I posted a link to your tutorial on my blog

    http://www.papercutsnbandaids.blogspot.com/

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  16. Such a great idea! I am going to feature this on SomewhatSimple.com tonight!
    Thanks for the inspiration,
    Steph

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  17. Your baby food jar pin cushion was the inspiration for my jewelry box pin cushion, so I mentioned you in my post: www.craftyconfessions.com Thanks for being awesome!
    ~Macy

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  18. thank you :) going to make one for each of my girlies sewing ktis..fabulous:)

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  19. SO CUTE! I'm definitely using this! Thanks! :0)

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  20. I keep my baby food jars for various purposes. This is too cute!

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    Replies
    1. I do too! They are great for crafts and storage.

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  21. Nice little list and I seen a couple of things I need to pick up. Also I got the stern voice for using the "good" scissors and I've always used it too. My expensive pinking shears have always been hidden lol. This took me back to when I was a brownie and we made our mothers one with the lid and band of a jar and a halved Styrofoam ball. OMG, I know I'm telling my age but I don't care..that was 40+ years ago when DIY was essentially unheard of. Thanks!!

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  22. This looks so cute. Very nice to have a try for making my own sewing kits. Thanks for sharing this step by step tutorial. It is so helpful.

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