Tuesday, March 15, 2011

faux sew sewing jar



As a non-sewer borrowing Sew Sunny Homestyle from my library, I knew immediately upon swooning over Tone Finnanger's sewing jar project that I needed to put the idea through the tinker-translator which means glue over needles and guesstimating over precision.



First I painted the metal rings of two-piece lidded canning jars and placed them over fabric until I found a combination that I liked best to use for my project.



Because tinkering is also about gathering, I was determined to find something from around the house to use as pin cushion filler and found my solution in pulled-apart cotton balls.



I placed the tuft of cotton over the round inner lid, covered it with fabric, inserted it into the ring and pushed it through; then pulled at the sides until the top was as smooth as I wanted it to be.



I trimmed the excess fabric and secured it with tape.





To conceal the tape, I traced the lid's inner disc and cut a piece of sturdy cardstock to fit. I used swirls of school/craft glue to affix the cardstock, pushing it down into place and holding it for a few minutes to set.



Once the project was topped-off, I filled the jar with spools of thread.



So, why does a non-sewer need another pin cushion? Hmm. Because learning to sew is still somewhere on my to-do list.

xo
elyse

65 comments:

lilybets said...

It's a very nice project Elyse,I have many fabrics and bottles of glass..but I never decide what to do!!!.

Into Vintage said...

So very cute -- I love this! Even non-sewers need a place to put their pins. :-)

Jessica Rodarte said...

Oh, how genius! I love your tinkered sewing jar. I will have to make one now. Or wait until you list one in your shop. ;)
Many hugs!

Coco Rose Diaries said...

I love that book and have made a few of these too! Like you, I cannot really sew but it is on my 'to-do' list this year, so they will come in handy! ha ha!

Have a super day!

Vanessa x

Coco Rose Diaries said...

http://www.decorativecountryliving.co.uk/acc_tidy_11.html

These are cute too! On the same theme and fell in love!!!

x

Simple Home said...

Oh elyse, you'll just go to town when you learn to sew, I know you will. It's fun and easy, and you find the most beautiful fabrics!
Wishing you sunshine this week :-)
Blessings,
Marcia

Home and Lifestyle said...

What a lovely idea...I also have some projects...with roses!

Many hugs, Ingrid

Stevie said...

This is one book that I have on my bedstand! Your jar turned out so lovely!

Betty said...

Sew Pretty!

Two Shades of Pink said...

So lovely...I would be full of all kinds of happy just seeing it every day! :)

Theresa said...

PRECIOUS!!! I am going to make this... thanks for the "how to"!

Have a blessed day, HUGS!

stefanie said...

soooooooo super cute!!!!

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

What a darling tinkered treasure Elyse! Your pictures are so pretty too! Have a beautiful day my friend!

Love,
Maryjane
xox

Unknown said...

Hi Elyse!

Love it!

Creative Grammie said...

Aloha Elyse, That's a wonderfully decorated "sewing" jar. Makes a great gift, I've given a few of those to my sewing friends when they come over to sew.
I love your projects and look forward to seeing what's going to be featured next. TFS

Lataina said...

so cute!!! =)

Unknown said...

Is very sweet, now on my to do list!

EMBELLISH said...

This project is fabulous! I love the added spools!!

Laura said...

Very cute! Lx

Melinda said...

Learning to sew is great, BUT I
think the best part is they are the cutest little things.!!!!

Melinda

Suz said...

Oh, Elyse,
It is adorable and I am so with you. As hard as I try, I am a non-sewer. Thank you for putting the project through your "tinkering transformer" so I know what to do!
Fondly,
Suz

Brenda Pruitt said...

Isn't that the cutest thing??? I read your article in Romantic Homes. Congrats, Elyse!
Brenda

Sonia said...

Oh, hahaha, your last paragraph cracked me up... Well, I do hope you get to use your pretty pin cushion jar someday. Sewing is fun!!
Hugs!!
Sonia

Sonia said...

And btw, I LOVE Sew Sunny Homestyle. Its my favorite book from her collection that I own.

PCovi said...

I'm tellin' you what!
The simplest cutest idea...and again...why didn't I think of it LOL.
How cute of a gift this would be for a group of ladies!

Anonymous said...

I bookmarked something similar to this last year in my pictures to make. Yours is so cute and I am sure we will be seeing this project next month in some wonderful magazine!!!

bee blessed
mary

Vintage Gal said...

That is a very cute idea ~ thanks for the inspiration. I just may put that on my to do list this weekend~! ;-)

Jill said...

So darling!! I love how resourceful you were, using those cotton balls. Much better than going out and buying a big bag of stuffing! (Especially when you're short on storage space, like me!)
Hugs,
Jill

Hearts Turned said...

Beautiful, Elyse! I LOVE her book--such an inspiring one!

Thanks for your sweet visit, my friend...you're always so kind to me!

Hope you're having a wonderful night...

Julie

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Elyse,

That is the cutest! I loved your sweet jar in the April Issue of Romantic Homes, too. xoxo Lidy

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

I think I've made some of those awhile back..a few years ago ...LOL! Those little jars are so useful. Pretty fabric.
deb

SLR said...

i really need to learn to sew too! oh, the things i would make...
i just love all your tinkering ;)
hugs!!

debi said...

Love your sweet pin cushion. I never thought to put spools in the jar! hmmmm

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

So pretty...I am inspired Elyse!
Susan x

hilary@oldhousetruelove said...

I AM A WANNABE SEWER TOO... THIS IS ADORABLE!

Anonymous said...

Such a sweet idea, Elyse! :)

Unknown said...

I love this! You can never have too many jars OR pincusions!!! I am in awe of your tinker-translator! LOL
Have a great day!
Roselle

Mercedes Spencer @ Liberty Biberty said...

Love, love LOVE it!!
Mercedes

Angie said...

Non-sewer here too! Love the Little tinkering tutorial!!

Deanna said...

After I swooned, I was able to get back up and finish reading your post. At last....!!! A project I can probably do all by myself!! I doubt I could find pins as darling as those but I am so excited to try this!!

Deanna :D

P.S. Sewing is on my to do list as well!

Bring Pretty Back said...

I don't even sew and I want one of these cuties!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin

casapinka said...

Love it love it love it! I want to make a giant one (for my too many bobbins of thread. Yikes.)

The Polka Dot Closet said...

What a cute idea, I have seen it with just the fabric, but padding and cotton balls is fabulous. Romantic Homes should have it in their "Make it" section.

Carol

Jen Kershner said...

I have a jar that I have been meaning to do that to since before Christmas. Yours turned out great! Now go and learn how to sew girlfriend!

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

Like you say,"GASP & SWOON"!

mypinkprettiesaboutme said...

From your lips to God's ears. My to do list is waiting for the sewing fairy to come and get me.
In the mean time I will try to follow your example!
Have a great one.

permanent magenta said...

I love it and I love your gorgeous photos Elyse!

Diane Mars said...

You are so cute, I have a machine and I used to sew clothes when I was young but now I just dabble with ruffles and such! Hugs, from Diane in California

Anonymous said...

Cam you tell me where you got the sweet little pins?

Elyse said...

@anonymous:

the heart shaped pins are from vintage lizzie (sadly, no longer in business) but the flower one is from michaels. you can find similar pin styles in their scrapbooking section. hope that helps!

xo
elyse

The Gilded Cherub said...

What a pretty project, I just love the little roses on the fabric you picked to use. Good luck with your sewing its not as hard as it seems.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Lorene
The Gilded Cherub

Olivia said...

I am flipping out! This is soooo cute. It is funny I instantly thought oh I wonder if cotton balls would work for stuffing! Then I thought, she will use something much more professional I am sure. Giggle! I am going to make some of these!
Hugs,
Olivia

LaurieStar said...

This came out so cute, Elyse! I know one day you will sew! :)

Beverly said...

Oh how cute.. my Mom used to make them with only the lids.. thanks for sharing.. It brought back wonderful memories.

Terri said...

I love this idea Elyse and I loved reading your article in Romantic Homes this month. Terri

beachvintage.com said...

It's simply perfect Elyse.

Free Pretty Things For You said...

Hi my Love!!
Thank you SO much! I cant wait to post about it :)

Love this pretty little project!!
I've always wanted to do it!

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

Very pretty jar, great idea!
Isabelle x

Karen The Graphics Fairy said...

Ooohh!!! This is so pretty Elyse!! I love that it's no sew!

LoveForLynn said...

love the site, such fun reading
thanks

lulusemua said...

I love this project, I am going to visit your blog and I invite you to visit mine. Kisses. Lulú.
http://lulusemuablog.blogspot.com

shabbyfufu said...

You are too funny Elyse, I DO get your humor in the things that you write.

Hope that you have a great week tinkering...xo, Janet

koralee said...

This is soooo sweet my friend...I love your fabric! Hugs. xoxoo

Jenny said...

Clever AND adorable.

Anonymous said...

This is great...I am going to try making one. Love your blog!