Adorable DIY Pin Cushion Ideas

As someone with a thrifting and upcycling addiction, I have a pretty large stash of treasures tucked away in my craft closet.

Some of the pieces are things I couldn't resist when I spotted them. Even though I had no idea what I was going to do with them when I got them home.


Others, I knew exactly what they could become, the moment I laid eyes on them.

And then there are the ones I went hunting for, with a very specific craft in mind.

Of course, the one thing that all my thrifting makeovers have in common, is that they usually sit for quite a while, before I get around to the DIY.
You know the saying...so many projects, so little time.

For example, this bag of small picture frames was purchased at Savers way back in July for $4.99. It's one of those items I was specifically looking for...and got super lucky on my first trip out.


Well last night, I finally made the time to fish that baggie out of the drawer and make the pincushion I'd been dreaming about for six long months.

I was motivated by the fact that I wanted to feature it today, in our first Thrift Store Decor Team hop of the year.

However, as I was digging through my repurposed craft cabinet, I also came across a small terracotta pot, I picked up somewhere and thought hmmm, I bet this would make an adorable pincushion as well.

I pictured a sweet, colorful duo, so lovely, that no matter what room I left my sewing supplies in, they'd basically resemble decor.

I wasn't wrong.

But...before I got started with the pincushion process, I did take a teeny tiny detour to give that boring mini pot a small cottage style makeover.

Decorating The Pot With Decoupage

First, I brushed on a bit of chalk paint to give it a weathered appearance. It's a process I've used to age terracotta pots before.


Next, I grabbed a small rose, cut away from a napkin, that I had left over from my decoupage candle DIY.

Clearly, I never throw anything away.


Once the paint was dry to the touch, I added some decoupage medium to the pot. I don't love Mod Podge. 

I prefer Dixie Belle Satin Sealer and I applied it with a stiff brush.


Then I gently pressed that very delicate napkin rose onto the pot and smoothed it out with my finger.


Finally, I coated the entire pot with the satin sealer and set it aside to dry.

How To Make No Sew Pincushions 

In the meantime, I gathered my supplies to make the actual pincushions.

Keep in mind that I used a small picture frame and flower pot, but you could use this technique to make a pincushion out of vintage teacup or a vacation shot glass, trinket boxes, baskets, egg cups and more.

Literally any kind of container will do.

• Fiberfill
• Fabric
• Small Rubber Bands
• Glue Gun/ Glue Sticks
• Scissors

You'll notice there's not a needle or thread on that list.


My first instinct did involve them, but then I decided I wasn't in the mood to stitch anything.

So instead, I used these really small rubber bands.


Which makes this a no sew DIY.

Ironic isn't it? 

The Steps

I began by cutting a piece of fabric for the flower pot. It was little larger the opening, and no, it wasn't round, and no, it didn't matter.


I did the same with the frame.


Then, I tore off a bit fiberfill and placed it in the center of each piece of fabric.

I used two big handfuls, as I wanted very poofy and taut cushions to push my pins into.


For the flower pot, since I needed a round poof shape, I gathered all four corners at once and fastened them together, tightly, with two rubber bands.


But for the frame, I banded two opposite corners together, then I grabbed the other two and added more rubber bands.
Happy Thrifting, Friends!