cushy pot

by nancy minsky

A handmade pin cushion is a charming addition to any sewing basket. Here is an easy and special pin
cushion project, nicknamed cushy pot because of how the pin cushion sinks into the base. To start,
choose an amusing container to use as the base - it can be glass, porcelain or tin, retro or modern. Then
select a fanciful decoration or fabric for the cushion. The stylish possibilities for cushy pots can range
from high-tea elegance to countryside bliss. Cushy pots can be used not only as pin cushions but also as
paper weights, to poke some brooches or jewelry into, or simply as a whimsical decoration on the
fireplace mantel or windowsill adding a happy smile to any home.

In the example above, “Buttons in a Pot” (I like to name my cushy pots), the lid of a retro glass
container has been covered with a pin cushion made from a patchwork of retro fabrics edged with
a bandana ruffle. The stack of buttons stitched on top of the cushion is a charming handle to lift
the top, and stow some buttons and thread.
 linen flowers in the pot
For this cushy pot, a pin cushion covered in pretty linen
embroidered flowers, is sunk into a ceramic tub and
finished with a decorative braid and button.

materials:
- ceramic base
-craft glue for glass, fabric, metal
-material to stuff your cushion
note: There are many different materials that can be used
for the stuffing to give the cushion a firm shape that works
well for sticking pins. You can use poly or cotton batting or
even cut up, old, soft, shredded rags. You can throw in
some lavender, pine needles or a piece of jasmine, for a
gentle scent.
-some beans or stones and some plastic bags or newspaper
to stuff the base
-decorative fabric for the cushion
-decorative braid (the circumference of the pots opening +
1”long x about ½” high)
-decorative button
-your sewing basket including a sewing needle, thread,
straight pins, scissors, pencil or tailor’s chalk, sewing
machine

instructions: Above, an old, torn and stained linen tablecloth

was used for this project. The pretty embroidery
cut your shape: was intact and perfect for a pin cushion.
Lay your fabric for the cushion on a table, wrong side up.
Place the pottery face down, and with a pencil or tailor’s
chalk, draw around the outside perimeter of the pottery.
Remove the pottery, and mark all around, 1 ½” larger than
the line you just drew and cut the circle out.

make the cushion:

Sew (by machine or hand) a row of basting, ½” from the
edge. Pull the thread ends forming gentle gathers. Check
that when gathered it will fit neatly into the pot, then knot
the thread ends.
Gently stuff the cushion, until it is firm and full.

Once you have it fully stuffed, again check that it fits snuggly
into the pot.

Secure the shape with back and forth stitches across the
opening like the photo on the right. Sew from basting thread
to basting thread. You want your stuffing firmly held in the
cushion.

the pot:
Fill your pot with a few clean pebbles, or some beans so that it has a nice weight. Pack them down
firmly with some old newspapers or plastic grocery bags so the stones won’t shift around or rattle and it
is full to the top.

Spread some glue around the inside of the top edge of the pot.

Place the cushion inside the pot, and hold securely in place until the glue is dry.

final touches:
Glue a braid at the top of the pot, to decoratively hide the join point of the cushion.

Hide the braid join point with the button (sew or glue it in place) and enjoy!

Share your cushy pots on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1109549@N20/