DIY Upcycled Storage: Sewing Organizer Kit Basket or Box Tutorial

Have an old kitchen canister laying around that's just begging to be repurposed? If not, snag one from the thrift store to make this cute, easy, diy sewing kit with a built in pin cushion to help organize all your tools and notions.

Tags: #upcycled #sewing #handmade #kit #organizer #tools #pin #cushion #basket #diy #tutorial #repurposed

Supplies:

-An old kitchen kitchen canister with some space inside the lid.  I bought mine at Goodwill.

-Scrap fabric

-Glue (see post for options)

-Sewing needle

-Sewing thread

-Stuffing (see post for options)

-Scissors

-Ink pen or fabric marker

-Sewing machine (optional but helpful)

-Pinking shears (optional but helpful)

-Skewer stick (optional but helpful)

-Embroidery thread (decorative and optional)
-Large button (decorative and optional)

Step by Step Instructions:

1.  Trace and Cut

Trace the outside of the lid with a pen or marker on the wrong side of fabric.  Cut around the outside of the traced circle leaving about a 1/2 inch of fabric on the outside of the line for a seam allowance.  Repeat process to make two pieces total.

  

2. Sew 

Pin the two circles, right sides together with the wrong side of the fabric facing out.  Sew directly on top of the traced circle but leave about a one to a one and half inch opening. I used a sewing machine but you could also hand stitch it if desired.

3. Trim, flip and iron. 

Trim notches in the seam allowance to help it to shape better and prevent fraying.  This is when pinking shears would come in handy.  I couldn't find mine so I just added notches using regular scissors.  Then flip the fabric right side out.  You can use the flat end of a skewer tip to help gently push out the edges if desired.  Iron flat.

4. Stuff and Close.

Now it's time to stuff your pin cushion through the opening in the fabric.  Many people use traditional stuffing or "poly-fil" only for diy pin cushions.  I tried doing the same once when I was teenager and I HATED it.  I ended throwing the thing in the trash out of pure frustration.  It didn't hold pins very well.  This time I  used a combination of steel wool and poly-fil.  The steel wool not only holds pins and needles better but it also helps sharpen them as well. Once you have it as full as you want, hand stitch the opening closed.

The Sewing Loft Blog has a very informative post on lots of different options for stuffing a pin cushion.  I  highly recommend you jump over and take a look.

5. Decorate as desired.

I threaded a needle with embroidery thread and added a stitch in the center to create a tuft.  I then added four long stitches reaching from the front center to the back center.  I added a decorative button on top to finish.

6.  Attach pin cushion to the inside of lid.

I hot glued the pin cushion inside the canister lid.  I wanted a more temporary attachment so I could replace it if needed in the future.  That is why I opted to use hot glue.  You can always attach it to the inside using a stronger glue if desired for a more permanent bond.

7. Fill with supplies and enjoy!

  I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and until next time, happy upcycling!

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DIY Upcycled Handmade Sewing Kit, Organizer or Basket Tutorial