This project has the humblest of beginnings...a tuna can headed for the recycling bin, a bit of stuffing and a little bit of fabric. That's part of the reason I like it so much.
cut a piece of fabric 6" x 11.25"
fold in half lengthwise and press
open and fold both halves toward the center (as if you were making a purse handle)
fold in half again (the raw edges should be tucked inside) and press
open your fabric
take the two short ends and pin together
sew using a 1/4" seam allowance
this should form a tube
finger press the seam open
fold one side in (you can see I had a little helper here)
then fold the other side in, so the raw edges are in the middle
fold again, so all the raw edges are hidden
slip over the can to check the fit
it should be snug
channel stitch the sleeve using your walking foot
slip the sleeve over the can
now, cut a piece of fabric about 11" square
(you don't have to be very exact here....)
this fabric was actually rescued from my grandma's rag bin...it was part of an old worn shirt
add a ball of fiberfill...
gather the edges
make sure that you pack the stuffing tight
and stuff it into the can (so technical, I know)
the thinner the fabric, the easier it is to eliminate folds
I made one with patchwork and added a little ric rac (inspired by Anina) to hide some of the gathers....
and I glued all the pieces in with a bit of tacky glue.
I think I need to make some tuna salad for dinner so I can make some more pincushions. :) These are addicting, too.
If you make one of these, I'd love to see it. And you can also add it to the flickr group, if you would like.
65 comments:
Wow while I was reading your blog you managed to add another post. You are so creative. Thanks for sharing your ideas. I am having a 200th post give away. Come check it out.
Wow, you never cease to amaze me! Cute, cute, cute!
wow! so cool! adding this to my list of 'to try'. thanks for sharing!
Another great idea! Thanks
Supercute AmandaJean! I love the recycling bit since who wants to reuse an old tuna can anyway? Now we all do! Would you ever cut yourself on the edge of the can or do you think these pincushions are perfectly safe?
Sara
Even more cleverness!
genius
So clever and so cute! I really like the ric-rac on the red one.
I'm teaching a class in February and I'm going to have to make one of these and show them. Its a make it take it pincushion class. Yours is cuter than some in my book!
genius!
This is great! Thank you :)
atlanticsong,
I had no sharp edges left on the can after taking the cover completely off. It should be perfectly safe.
aj
wow! i'm going to go rescue the tuna can i threw in the recycling earlier this week. not that i need another pincushion, but...
I am always amaized at all your creativity and ideas I always look forward to see what is new at your blog. and thank you for sharing with us
Erika
You could use cat food tins also. What a clever idea!
You are too good to us! I'm definitely going to have a go at one of these.
Another fabulous project -- Thanks!
Cute pincushion!! Thanks for the tutorial!
That is great! What a great stocking stuffer for a sewer.
who would have ever thought that you could turn something like a tuna can into that, cute cute
Very cute!! Do you know what is inside the ole' tomato pin cushions that helps sharpen the pins?
Karen
very cute...I would never have known there was a tuna can under all that cuteness!
You are addicting! I usually just lurk but I have to compliment you. These little projects are so fun. Tks for sharing.
Hmm.. looks like we'll be having some tuna fish this weekend! great Idea! thank you!
Really nice. I like to add a little rice in the bottom of my pin cushions to give them a little weight. The red one is my favorite.
I like the red and white one a lot.
you did it again! so cute!
What a wonderful project, love the red patchwork one!
I have a silly question though... what size is the tuna can? The tuna cans we have seem to be smaller.
So simple and perfectly cute and practical. I love it!
cute cute cute !
We don't eat tuna, but I'll figure out something to use. This is such a great project :)
Best looking tuna can I've ever seen! ;o)
Cute idea, Amandajean and I love that you had a little helper in the one pic. Nothing like getting the crafting bug started in a young one.
LOVE love it!!!Thankyou for taking the time to do this for us, Amie :o)
They are adorable...very nice! 8-)
Once again fantastic tutorial
I love it!
You are one busy mom!
another great idea...i'm going to use the little cans for green chilis (we're not tuna fans here.) i love the ricrac idea too.
Great idea. always trying to figure out what to do with all that stuff...
What a great idea -- and one could put a little sand or some pebbles in the bottom to weight it down too. Much better than throwing the tin out!
Ok, you are definitely the blog I am stalking. Wow! Such cute ideas. I'm attempting my first quilt tomorrow. And I've never seen so many comments on a blog! Except when one person was having a really good give away, but then people had to comment, so that's kind of cheating.
Sooo so cute! I LOVE the red and white one. Let's see, we haven't had tuna in awhile, we must be do, right??
Thanks!
Terrific idea! Both are my favorite;) I love the red one because it's red and the aqua one because of the use of grandma's old skirt. Thanks for being so willing to share;)
I'm so far behind with my blogging and look what I've missed out on..... I'm loving all your tutorials. Thanks so much for sharing some GR8 Christmas present ideas.....
oh how cute!!!
thanks again amanda.
Just another great way to go green, and they look great too!
This is darling...your christmas ideas are so fun, I look forward everyday to checking out what you have done. I want to make one of these for my sewing room. Thank you for sharing your wonderful talents with all of us
hugs
tricia
That cute thing from a tuna can??!! AWESOME! I think I have to have me some tuna too! LOL!
What a great idea for guild gifts and Christmas grab bags. You are so creative.
I love it!! Its so great! I think this will definately turn out better than my first box! LOL!
These are SO cute!! I can't wait to make one!! Thank you so much for everything you do.
Really cute! I NEED a big pincushion! I guess I'll be adding this to my list!
Thanks for the tutorial. If you don't eat tuna, there is always the small cans of crushed pineapple, or the boxed blueberry muffin mix that comes with 2 cans of berries. I now have 4 cans ready when needed. The blueberry cans measure 1-5/8" high and 3-1/4" wide.
This is wonderful! Thanks for sharing!
These will make great & practical Christmas gifts. I'd better get started :) Thank you for the tutorial!
I love this pincushion. I have always said that crafters are the original recyclers. Throughout my life time I have seen so many crafts made with tuna cans. Why would we ever throw one away?! Twyla
yaya and papa-
I believe it is emery inside the pin cushions that sharpens the pins.
aj
Hi, thanks for commenting about the storage bin. I also made the pincussion in the same colors and am going to give that to my mom also. I joined the flicker group and posted a picture of them together there!
Hi Aj! I finally made a pin cushion and I am a big hit, er hmm.. the pin cushion is a great hit with my kitties! Thanks again and check out my pin cushion saga on my blog.
www.coffeebeansdailies.blogspot.com
Bye, Alia
Hi Amandajean, I'm so sorry that I did not link your tutorial to my pin cushion. I have gone back and done so if you want to check it out again!! Also, how do you get the smell of tuna out of the can???
I've been saving the lids from Mayo and Peanut Butter jars for just such a project. I like the lids because they are plastic and wide with low sides. I love your tutorial... it proves my idea will actually work!!!
Hi,
I was wondering what you use to get the smell out of the tuna can.
I just created a blog for quiltingforbeginners as that is where I am storing my links that I find when I am surfing.
Karen from Indiana
When I was a very small girl, my great grandmother and I made similar pin cushions out of Tuna cans. We kept part of the lid attached and covered it, we stuffed the inside of the lid and made it stand up, so it sort of looks like a chair. Still my favorite pin cushion! My other favorite pin holding contraption is the metal sucrets box my great aunt gave me to hold my quilting pins! Thanks for sharing this, now I can make one with my little girl!
That's a clever one!
thanks for this great idea! just made one with my little girl as a helper - so quick and easy!
Hi!
I just finished my little pin cushion and it was super easy and turned out really cute! I used a min-can of green chilis (much smaller than a tuna can). This was my first attempt at sewing and I am very proud that it turned out perfect! Thanks for the cute ideas and beginner-proof instructions! :)
I was so excited to see the instructions for the pin cushion...the one I have us a velvet type and stiff....It will be great to have a nice cushioned one. Hope to get it made before too long.
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