Vintage Tin Measuring Cup DIY Pin Cushion

My grandmother, who loved to sew, inspired this month’s upcycled project.  I took an old measuring cup, a stained chenille bedspread, and my grandmother’s photo and combined them into a DIY pin cushion in honor of Mother’s Day.  If you’ve ever wondered how to make a pin cushion… keep reading.

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The Rules:

• Upcycle an item(s) from a thrift store, resale store, or garage sale into a new piece of decor.
• There’s no monthly theme.
• There’s no budget to stick to.

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How to Make a DIY Pin Cushion

• vintage tin measuring cup (or any other small container)
• fabric scrap (I used a piece of an old chenille bedspread.)
• stuffing
• needle & thread
• hot glue gun
• image & text
• decoupage medium
• paintbrush
• scissors
• copy paper

Scan and print a copy of a vintage photo or other image.  Type out quote and print it.  Cut out both.  Decoupage onto old measuring cup.

Trace a 7″-8″ circle onto the fabric of your choice.  I used a piece of an old chenille bedspread that had a rip and a stain.  A dessert plate makes a good pattern.  

Run a wide stitch about 1/2″ from the edge with the needle and thread.  Leave long loose strings on both ends.  Place a handful of stuffing in the center of the circle and pull the ends of the strings to tighten.   Add or remove stuffing to make it fit your container.  Tie strings in a knot and cut off the ends. 

Fit the fabric down into the container then use hot glue around the edge to hold it in place.

I added a few pins I decorated with paper flowers and beads from my grandmother’s stash of broken jewelry.

Now I have a reminder of my grandmother whenever I sew… I just need to sew a little more often!

If you enjoyed reading how to make a DIY pin cushion, you might also like these projects:

• Mason Jar Sewing Kit
• My “New” Vintage Singer Sewing Machine
• Hidden Pincushion in a Teapot
• How to Alter a Man’s Shirt to Fit a Woman
• Pincushion Stuffing Options

Now see what other upcycled projects my friends are making:

I’d love to hear if you’ve ever made a pin cushion.  Leave a comment and let me know what you made it out of.  Thanks for reading!

‘Til the next project,

 Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim

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