Rustic Pin Cushion

Sewing and Rustic - the perfect combination

All hand sewers know that pins work best if you have a pin cushion to store them in; why not make a really rustic one from burlap and an old pepper shaker?

I've seem something similar on the web, but it never occurred to me to save the lid from a pepper shaker to make one out of - how cute would that be, to show off beautiful pins with beads on the end?

These are made of various sized sewing needles, each with a glass bead glued on the end - try different kinds of glue for this - keep in mind that in most cases, they won't hold up to actual used if the glue isn't strong enough. 

Two part epoxy works well.

You may never use your pin cushion, it's so beautiful, but if you do, it's got all the right stuff; a handful of rice to hold it upright, and dry off the pins in case they get any moisture on them, and a piece of steel wool to sharpen them, ready for use.

The burlap is from an old potato sack - but you can buy new burlap or use any other type of fabric for it.

All it takes is a piece cut in a circle, gathered at the top and glued into the pepper shaker top.  How cute would that be to use vintage flour sacks, calico or even velvet?

Keep it in your sewing box, or display it on your mantle.  A perfect use for this cute little pin keep is to hold cards with country sayings on them. 

Make several, and start a collection. 

You can use almost any type of fabric - denim, coarsely woven cotton, mattress ticking or whatever you have available.  Look in the thrift store for scraps - after all, you only need a small circle to create something very rustic.