Mini Bottle Top Pincushions for the Travelling Stitcher

Mini Bottle Top Pincushions

If you want to make some bottle top pincushions they are quite simple and quick to make and useful for travelling if you need somewhere to put a few pins whilst stitching on your journey.  

Here's what you'll need:

Bottle tops
Ruler
Cardboard or paper to make a template
Pair of compassess (optional)
Pen
Strong thread
Fabric
Toy filling os similar
Embroidery thread (optional)
Glue
Needle and scissors

Here's what to do:

First, find some bottle tops.  I've used bottle tops off bottles of wine both the standard 750ml bottles and the smaller 187ml bottles but you can use any suitable bottle tops.  These are metal tops but plastic would be fine too.  Colourful ones are good... 

A selection of suitable bottle tops

Next, make a circular template for your pincushion top.  I have found that a template that has a diameter 3 times the size of the diameter of your bottle top works well.  There are lots of circular things round the house.  See if you can find something the right size to draw round e.g a small bowl or a jam jar lid.  Otherwise use a pair of compasses to draw a circle the right size.  If in doubt about your circle size, make a sample with a spare bit of fabric to check before cutting out any special fabric...

Cardboard templates for different bottle top sizes.

Next put the template on your fabric, draw round it and cut it out...

Fabric top for pincushion

 Using strong thread, for example, linen thread...

An example of strong linen thread

and a running stitch, stitch round the edge of your fabric...

Running stitch around the fabric edge

I used double thread.  The thread colour doesn't matter as it won't be seen.  Next gather the fabric in and stuff it well with toy filling or something similar...

 

Pull thread to gather up the fabric and stuff well

Gather tightly and secure with a number of stitches...

Glue your pincushion into the bottle top.  I used UHU glue.  Leave to dry...

 

Finished pincushion

If you haven't any patterned fabric, you can always embroider something on your pincushion top.  I did this after I'd gathered it up but before I glued the pincushion together.  Doing it at this stage means all your starting and finishing can be at the bottom of the pincushion where it won't be seen...

Embroidered pincushions

And there you are, all done.  Perhaps you could make some for presents for the travelling stitchers you know.  Send me your pictures if you make some.  Happy stitching and travelling!

Christmas themed pincushions

Choose Christmas colours and fabrics to make great stocking fillers at Christmas too!