Hey everybody! It's the 2nd Monday of the month and time for another Monthly Challenge Blog Hop! I've joined a group of creative bloggers to bring you this monthly challenge blog hop! The theme for February is to create an upcycled, repurposed, or re-made project!
Today I'm sharing how to make a pin cushion my ex sister-in-law, Maria, showed me how to do using a coke bottle! Here's a little background story - shortly after moving into our present home, my niece Patricia and her mom, Maria (pictured) drove up from North Carolina to see our new home.
Maria, who was also quite crafty, had just returned from a trip home to Brazil. While there, some friends showed her how to make an adorable pin cushion out of a soda bottle. So when they came to visit, Maria shared how to make the pin cushion with me (pictured below!) We had a fun craft session that day!
This was back in 2012. At the time, Maria had an Etsy shop and sold the pin cushions on it, so naturally she didn't want anyone to know how they were made. And I've been honoring her wish not to share her tutorial - until now. Sadly, Maria passed in April 2017. She was a beautiful person, both inside and out! I recently asked my niece if I could share how her mom made the pin cushion. And of course she said yes - cause I'm her favorite aunt! Lol!
Materials used:
2 liter clear plastic soda bottle (Coke brand)
Craft knife/scissors
Black marker
Nail polish (acetone) remover
Cotton balls
5/8" trim or bias tape
2 - 12" x 12" fabric scraps
Circle templates
Polyester Filling
Needle and Thread
Quick grab glue
Let's begin by washing the 2 liter plastic soda bottle (Coke brand) with dish detergent and water to remove any stickiness and grime and then let dry. I like that this Minute Maid bottle (also a Coke brand) is smoother with less lines than a regular coke bottle. Next, cut the bottle in half following the bottom edge of the label on the bottle. Maria drew a pattern outlining the chair on a bottle she gave me to follow and I duplicated that on this bottle.
Next, cut out the pattern and use a cotton ball dampen with nail polish remover to remove the black marker lines.
I also measured the chair outline of the pin cushion that I made years ago to help with the pattern design. The top areas tapers up from the bottom.
The original chair pin cushion had bias tape glued on the edges, but I didn't have any that matched so I had to think of something else to cover the edges with. At first I thought about using 5/8 inch ribbon, but it has to be stretchy and forgiving that would easily go around the plastic curves. And ribbon is not! Then I remembered some woven trim I used to make snowflakes. Ding, ding, ding, ding! And this trim was so much easier to glue on than bias tape!
Look how pretty the trim looks!
Next, trace the outline of the circle templates on the wrong side of the fabric and cut out.
Starting with the larger circle, make a running stitch around the folded inside edges of the fabric going around the entire circle . . .
and then pull the thread to gather the fabric into a circle. Sew a few extra stitches where the threads meet and knot to secure the gathers and cut off excess thread.
Next, stuff filling into the fabric circle making sure to push it in as tight as possible until you can't get anymore filling in! Be sure that it's even and fluffy like a pouf, all around. Then sew a few more stitches and knot thread to secure the cushion gathers, cutting off the excess thread.
Next, cut a circle of fabric, folding edges under and glue in place over the cushion opening to complete the bottom cushion.
Repeat the same steps using the next size circle to make the smaller back cushion.
Then make three yo yo's by sewing a running stitch along the folded edge around the smaller circles.
Gently pull the thread to gather the fabric toward the center. Adjust and flatten the gathers to form a circle or yo yo. Once satisfied with the look, secure by stitching close to the gathers, knot and cutting off excess thread. Hand press the yo yo flat with gathers in center.
With needle and thread, attach top cushion to plastic back through center of yo yo, making a recess in front center of cushion - then sewing back and forth several times and knotting, to secure.
Next, fold over side arm flaps sewing back and forth several times . . .
securing through the center of the yo yo, and knotting in place.
Maria used cute little ribbon flowers in the center of the yo yo's for her pin cushion. I left mine plain.
Disclosure I am a participant
in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program
designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated
sites, this post may contain links. I may receive a very small commission at no
cost to you! The affiliate money I earn helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks
so much for your support!
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