This is one of those ideas that strikes me with major "Why didn't I think of that?" syndrome. Right now I have a bunch of needles and pins stuck to magnets, stuck to my metal board above my worktable, but it's not the best solution. This pincushion-in-a-cup idea is the perfect remedy for my random loose pins.
Carla from Small + Friendly is the brains behind this genius idea; she uses an espresso cup and saucer, some filler such as sand or fiberfill, and a few other basic materials to pull together this little pincushion that is as stylish as it is useful!
My favorite part of this project (besides how cute it looks) is the fact that the pincushion itself sits on a dish. How many times have I piled up pins in an unstable little mess as I pull them out while sewing, only to knock my pile to the ground? Dropping them into the dish is just common sense. Again — Why didn't I think of this?
Visit Small + Friendly to see Carla's full tutorial, including lots of helpful photos!
(Image: Carla from Small + Friendly)


Shaw's Original Fir...
very clever, and yes, why did I not think of that!
That seems like the perfect cup for it too!
perfect for my mom - she's a certifeid tea addict
Cute, but how would you store this or transport it? It would only be good for someone who lives in a dust-free environment with enough space to keep sewing supplies out at all times. I use a magnetic pin cushion, and I love it's convenience. If anything is stray on the table after sewing, I can easily just swipe the magnet over it, and my pins are easy to grab, because of the shape of the "cushion."
http://www.joann.com/grabbit-magnetic-pin-cushion-assorted-colors/prd11083/
This is great! I'm wondering---if you put some super-strong magnets in the base of the cup, would that keep pins from falling out of the saucer? I like my magnetic pin holder, but I like this even more.
If you read the instructions, she used a magnet in the saucer and one in the cup to hold them together. She claims that the magnets keep the pins on the saucer, as well.