The pincushion thread catcher that my mom gave me years ago is my sewing table’s best friend. Yeah, I know it seems a little grandma-ish but it’s no surprise that I’m a big fan of things that are both clever and cute.
A pincushion thread catcher is basically a weighted pincushion on top like this…
…that anchors your own little trashcan for stray threads and empty thread spools that you throw in here like so…
Convenient, yes?
I made this red pincushion thread catcher thank you gift for my friend Susan who let me deeply dip into her fabric stash while getting ready for the 2008 Renegade Craft Fair. Yep, I said 2008. That makes this thank you gift 18 months late. Terrible, I know. But better late than never.
I reverse-engineered my mom’s pattern, doubled the pin cushion size, and voila! An easy free tutorial for how to make a pincushion thread catcher.
Step-by-step tutorial instructions and supplies for the pincushion thread catcher after the jump –>
Supplies for how to make your own pincushion thread catcher:
- 1/2 yard outside fabric (Susan’s is red, white and black flowers)
- 1/2 yard lining fabric (Susan’s is black)
- Thread
- Good fabric scissors
- Pillow stuffing
- Two metal door hinges to use as weights (from the hardware store)
- Plastic clothes line to use as boning (optional)
- Wire cutters
(if you use the clothes line boning)
- Self-healing mat
, rotary cutter
and clear plastic ruler
- Good iron like Rowenta
- Sewing machine
NOTE: All seams are 1/2″.
Please post a comment and let me know how this craft idea works for you. And share your own photos at the MerrimentDesign.com Facebook page, “I made it!” flickr photo gallery or tweet a picture to @merrimentdesign.
Cut your pieces
NOTE: All seams are 1/2″.
Use your self-healing mat, rotary cutter
and clear plastic ruler
to cut out the following pieces:
Outside fabric (the red flowers)
- Pincushion: Cut one 9″ x 10″ rectangles
- Straps: Cut two 4″ x 3 1/2″ rectangles
- Bag: Cut one 17 1/2″ x 11″ rectangle
Lining (black)
- Bag: Cut one 17 1/2″ x 11″ rectangle
Make the pincushion
Fold the straps in half and sew a 1/2″ seam.
Maneuver the seam to the center and press the seam open. Turn right side out and ensure the seam is on the back of the strap (rather than on one of the sides or the front).
Put the pincushion piece face up on your table. Place the straps 1.5″ from each side of the pincushion piece on one of the 9″ long sides.
Fold right sides together, sandwiching the two straps inside.
Sew the pincushion shut, leaving about 3″ open on one of the short sides so that you can turn it right side out. Trim the corners a bit but not too close.
Turn the bag right side out through the opening. Press your fingers into the corner.
Press flat and set aside.
Make the bag
Fold the bag in half right sides together. Sew the side seam.
Press the seam open and move it to the center like you did above for the straps. Sew the bottom seam.
Make your thread catcher basket bottom by creating a triangle where the side seam meets the bottom. Your triangle should be 1 1/2″ wide with the seam flattened open. Mark with a pencil and sew across the bottom of the triangle.
Turn the bag right side out to see how it creates a soft bottom.
Make the bag lining
Basically you do the same thing here as the bag outside with one important difference: You leave a hole in the side seam so that you can turn all of this stuff rightside out.
Like the bag outside fold right sides together. But instead of sewing the entire seam, starting from the top, sew 4″ of the side seam. Backstitch.
Then go to the bottom and sew 2″ of the sides seam.
See the hole? This is important later.
Now just repeat what you did for the bag outside to finish off this lining. Sew the bottom seam.
Sew 1-1/2″ triangles on the bottom to create a soft bottom.
Stop here though …leave the lining with the right side in, wrong side out.
Attach the pincushion to the bag
Line up the pincushion straps on the back of the bag. The back of the bag should be facing (touching) the back of the straps (so in other words, the seam-side of the bag and the seam-side of the straps should be touching each other).
Sew the straps to the bag.
Attach the bag outside / pincushion straps to the bag lining
So your bag is right side out and your lining is right side in. This is going to sound weird, but put your bag inside your lining matching up the back seams, and pin. See how the right sides are together? Eventually you’re going to pull this through the lining hole that you made.
Make sure your straps are tucked between the lining outside and lining inside. Sew all the way around to attach the bag outside to its lining.
Pay no attention to my messy sewing table :) Turn the pincushion right side out through the lining hole.
Add in the clothesline boning (optional)
So while this step is optional it helps your thread catcher bag stay open and generally makes the whole thing look nicer.
Cut a 17″ piece of plastic clothes line using wire cutters.
Make a circle with the clothes line and secure raw edges with a piece of tape.
Slip the circle inside the lining hole and work it up to the top of the bag. Secure with pins.
Sew around the bag close to the “boning.”
It looks great like this!
Stuff and weight the pincushion
Now my mom’s pincushion was filled with sand, but I’ve read that sand can dull pins. I picked up a couple door hinges for 89 cents each at the local hardware store to use as weights. Then I secured them together using floral wire.
Slip the hinges into the bottom of the pincushion.
Stuff the pincushion with polyfill, keeping the hinges on the bottom as weights with the polyfill on top and on the sides.
Hand sew the pincushion closed using a slipstitch.
Close the bag
Hand sew the opening inside the bag closed using a slipstitch.
Did you make it? Please post a comment and let me know how this craft idea works for you. And share your own photos at the MerrimentDesign.com Facebook page, “I made it!” flickr photo gallery or tweet a picture to @merrimentdesign. Craft and pass it on!
COPYRIGHT NOTE: You’re more than welcome to use free pattern and how to step-by-step tutorial for your own personal use. Contact me for any commercial use – this includes etsy sellers.
Comments (81)
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| By Kathy on 4/12/2010
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January 31st, 2012 at 6:49 pm
Thanks for sharing this handy (and easy) tutorial! I am basically a beginner and I was able to put this thing together in just a short time. I wanted to find something that was on the easy-side, yet I still had to think (it took me a little while to figure out the triangles for the bag bottom). Then I cheated a little and had my husband weld the hinges together for me rather than tie them together with wire. Worked out great! For the outside fabric I used Amy Butler’s Trumpet Flowers in Pink. As I said before, I’m a beginner (this was my very first project) so I don’t have ANY scraps yet, so I had to buy some new fabric. Love it!
January 11th, 2012 at 2:37 am
Lovely idea, very pretty ans useful. I made myself a pincushions for the arm as a voodoo doll, is funny. Hope you like!!
http://diyymas.wordpress.com/diy/alfi-voodoo/
January 9th, 2012 at 11:36 am
Many thanks for the Tutorial. I finished it today. I’m really pleased with how it turned out.
I’ve put photos of it on my blog if anyone is interested in taking a look: http://www.silverthimblescraftroom.blogspot.com
December 28th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
Hi Liz, glad you could use the pattern and thanks so much for pinning! What is your name – I’ll follow you. And if you want to tweet me a photo of your pincushion I’ll share it with my twitter and Facebook followers. Thanks so much for commenting!
December 28th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Thank you so much for this lovely tutorial.
I found it yesterday morning and pinned it on my Pinterest board. Seems very popular as its had lots of repins.
I managed to make one last night (although I cheated and machine stitch all the gaps rather than hand stitching them). Its fab and a very welcome addition to my sewing station. xxxx
December 13th, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Thanks so much for this tutorial. I am certainly going to make one of these to put beside my sewing machine. I hate having threads all over the place!
December 3rd, 2011 at 8:55 pm
LOVE IT!!! I saw something similiar at a crafts fair… but didn’t like any of the fabric choices. Just made one in an afternoon!!! (Okay I need to follow directions better because I went to the store a few times. hehe)
Love that I can make it from left over scraps I have. I’m going to sew one for my mom and friend for Christmas! THANKS SO MUCH!!!! :)
December 1st, 2011 at 10:50 pm
Thank you…thank you… thank you!!! I’ve seen these on several sites but I’ve found yours to be the simplest to make! Thank you for sharing your idea and for providing a great tutorial! =)
November 20th, 2011 at 3:50 am
Hi thanks so much for your free pattern. I love it and you are so generous for sharing.
Cheers
Tori
October 25th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Hi Deborah, your pin cushion sounds really cute! And nice idea for the plastic cable tie for the top – clever. Would love if you would share any photos on our flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/merrimentdesign/
October 9th, 2011 at 10:10 pm
Exactly what I have been looking for! Made it up yesterday, used rice as a weight and funky fat quarters from my stash. Didn’t have enough to make pin cushion all one fabric, so back of pin cushion matches my lining.
Thank you for the awesome pattern. Of course one just won’t do….now I need another for my knitting area to catch those pieces of yarn!!!
October 8th, 2011 at 6:36 am
Thank you so much for your great tutorial I have a few sewing buddies that I will be making these for for Christmas. Thank you again.
October 7th, 2011 at 6:05 pm
wow…just started another sewing course, and wanted a thread catcher! Found your pattern yesterday and just finished making my holder using 2 fat quarters in my stash. With not quite enough material to make a one colour pin cushion, I made the back to match my lining. Lined the pin cushion with muslin, and filled with rice. Raided my husband’s workshop and used a plastic cable tie around the top of bag. It wasn’t quite long enough, so I just put it around the back, sewing the ends shut at the front. It was 14″ long, and it holds the bag open with no problem!
Thank you for this pattern! It is perfect.
September 2nd, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Wow Aleta, that is super handy of you. And such a nice memory too. I would LOVE to see it – you can post it on our flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/merrimentdesign/
September 1st, 2011 at 5:06 pm
I made one of these today!!! I didn’t use the pattern just the concept. It was a re-purpose of a shirt that my daughter outgrew. I loved the print so much I knew I’d want to make something out of it. The sleeves were these wide asian type style perfect to make the rectangle for the pillow. I cut the shirt at the rib cage and made a square for the bag. The bottom hem became the top edge of my bag saving me that extra step. Next I lined the bag with a clear plastic sheet protector because I hate when threads stick to the inside!! Which also kept me from needing to put in any boning or wire to hold it open. Lastly I used the shirts ties as the straps. Fast, easy and oh so handy :) I’ll post a pic!!!
August 28th, 2011 at 11:16 am
August 21st, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Í liked the idea of a thread cather very much. So much that I made one for my own. I’ve put a picture of my version on my blog http://nynkestone.blogspot.com/2011/02/thread-cather.html with a link to this post.
Thank you for sharing this wonderfull idea and tutorial
August 20th, 2011 at 11:51 pm
I just found this and it’s EXACTLY what I’ve been looking for! I can’t wait to try it. Thank you!!
July 9th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
I’m sewing one right now! if you’d like to see pics when I’m done check out my blog later on today!!
Steph
June 28th, 2011 at 11:28 am
Hey Angie, it turned out great! Thanks so much for sharing the photo. Wanna put it on our flickr group too? http://www.flickr.com/groups/merrimentdesign/
June 26th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
I loved this project! It’s so cute and useful! Here’s a link to my Deviant Art page where I posted a picture. Thanks!
http://ahngee.deviantart.com/#/d3k3t5l
June 24th, 2011 at 9:36 pm
Hi,
I just wanted to say THANK YOU!!!!!!! You did a GREAT job on the tutorial!! I’m a VERY VERY VERY VERY (did I mention VERY!?) visual learner and usually can NOT learn how to do things unless someone actually shows me. ADD to that that I’m BRAND NEW to sewing. I’ve actually taken one quilting class and done the one quilt that I just finished.
Your tutorial is FABULOUS and I was totally able to make this (and in fact, made two more today! LOL)
I hope you feel it was worth it for you to take the time to do this (and I know it must have taken a lot of time) because *I* sure do. You totally made my day!! (By the way, I’m turning 40 next week… You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!! lol)
June 22nd, 2011 at 9:21 am
Thanks for the great clear tutorial! I’m making mine without the pincushion because I need it to sit under my serger which is already on a mouse pad as a silencer. So I just won’t stuff it and will tuck the flat part under the mouse pad. I’m also hunting a substitute for the clothesline to hold the bag open. Some kind of plastic strapping would work well – if I can find it! Or maybe coat hanger wire…
May 16th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
It’s pretty straightforward – hardest part is probably deciding what you want to weight it down with. There are also some tips in the comments from other readers. Give it a try!!
May 16th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Thanks so much for this. I was at a shop last week and I tried to buy this pincushion but was told it was not for sale. I would love to make it but I’m new to quilting. Is it difficult?
May 5th, 2011 at 9:15 am
Your tutorial is excellent and so much fun! I just finished my threadcatcher / pincushion and I can’t wait to put it to good use. Thank you very much for sharing.
May 4th, 2011 at 6:10 am
I just made one of these for my mom for Mother’s Day. It was super quick to finish. The instructions were pretty good, as long as you used a bit of common sense and had a little bit of sewing experience.
May 2nd, 2011 at 3:44 pm
Thank you so much for the free pattern. It is very easy to follow and I am very happy with my final product! Thank you again :)
April 12th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
Thanks, Ruth! I tweeted your tumbler post – would love if you posted your pic to the Merriment flickr group! http://www.flickr.com/groups/merrimentdesign/
April 9th, 2011 at 11:15 am
Thanks for your super easy tute! I did it in a day and it looks marvelous! Giving it as a birthday pressie to the lady who taught me sewing! :)
Pictures on my Tumblr!
March 19th, 2011 at 3:07 pm
that’s a great idea!
Thanks for pattern.
funny way to weight !
Bye
March 1st, 2011 at 10:47 pm
I love the fabric you used for this. And who would have guessed – door hinges! I’m including this in my Friday Favorites this week!
March 1st, 2011 at 10:44 pm
I love the fabric you used and who would have guessed – door hinges! I’m including this in my Friday Favorites this week!
February 20th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Hi Deb, thank you for sharing – very cute. Would you please link to my pattern in your post? Many thanks! You’re also welcome to upload to our brand new flickr “I made it!” album: http://www.flickr.com/groups/merrimentdesign/
February 20th, 2011 at 11:55 am
Found your website and used your pattern to make a thread catcher for when I go to scrapbooking classes!
You can see the finished article here
http://debs14.blogspot.com/2011/02/creative-afternoon.html
February 14th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Hi Lois, I like the idea of the rubber fabric on the bottom. Would love if you would share a photo on our brand new flickr “I made it!” group :: http://www.flickr.com/groups/merrimentdesign/
February 11th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Love your tutorial. I received a similar one as a gift. It is smaller, but does the job. Mine has that “footie pajama” rubber fabric on the bottom of the pin cushion to keep it from slipping off the table. Will be making one using your pattern, but adding the rubber fabric. Thanks.
February 8th, 2011 at 10:29 pm
Hey Sandy, that’s great! Thanks so much for letting me know – it’s a great way to end the day today. Please come back again soon :)
February 8th, 2011 at 9:57 pm
Hello. I was so happy to stumble upon your excellent site. I am not computer savvy, but the treadcatcher helped me focus on small steps to reclaiming my creative mind. I took fabric, sand and clothesline to my quilt group and we all made one, hands on. You are a hit! Our pincushions were smaller and we used
heavier home dec fabric, so no lining was required. This is my first venture into cyber sewing, but I’m hooked. We cut the rope with scissors. Thanks.
December 20th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Thank you so much for this pattern! I made these for all my sewing friends for Christmas! Now, just need to make time to make one for myself:) Your directions are super clear, thanks for posting such good pictures along with it. The only modification I made was that I used sand in the pillow instead of hinges. Thanks again for the useful pattern!
December 9th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Hi Pat, I re-read it and the issue is all me. You see, I was going back and forth about (1) cutting two rectangles for the pincushion and sewing them together or (2) cutting one large rectangle and folding it in half. I do these during my daughter’s nap times across days, and it looks like I wrote the “cut pieces” part for two rectangles but did the directions for one rectangle. Sigh. It is corrected now.
So here’s what to do: Cut a piece 9×10 and follow my directions. OR, if you’re running short on fabric, use your seamripper and unfold your 9×5 rectangle. Cut another 9×5 rectangle and when you sew the side seams they will attach together. So sorry about the confusion and when you’re done, please share a photo with me via email or on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/groups/merrimentdesign/ Thanks!!
December 9th, 2010 at 7:28 am
I am having a really hard time fixing the pincushion part. I just can’t figure it out. I cut it 9X5 . I really don’t know what I am doing wrong. It just doesn’t look like yours it is smaller. HELP!!!!
December 6th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
@Pat: Ack! It’s a typo. I have corrected it. Thanks for pointing it out and enjoy your pincushion!
December 6th, 2010 at 8:44 am
Your pattern calls for 2 – 9X5 for the pincushion piece. I only see you using 1 piece. What do you do with the second one.
Thank you
November 15th, 2010 at 8:58 am
this is just about the best idea ever!!!! i usually just let my thread fall on the floor, but this looks much better.
November 14th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
I would imagine you could use that fine sand found in craft shops for those colored sand designs – you know the ones where you pour layers of colored sand in a clear container and poke it down the sides to make a design. Aquarium shops sell sand for marine tanks that is a bit finer, also..not the gravel for freshwater tanks as that may be a bit coarse. Also sand would provide some weight. I also had a thought that you could use the sand and add some of those glass rocks or even the pebbles that are used in vases and see if that woud add weight if you can’t get to a hardware store and want one right away. :) Have fun.
November 14th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Thanks for the tip, Toni. Do you have any suggestions of the best kind of fine sand to use? Happy sewing!
November 14th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Fine sand will not dull a needle or pin, but will instead help to keep it sharp. I have a very old pincushion that is filled with fine sand and it helps a lot to keep the pins in good condition. Ifyou want to include a magnet, I would make a removable one by glueing a round magnet to athe bottom of a large button and after sewing the bag, but before you turn it, use fabric glue to glue another magnet near the corner before you turn the pincushion. Then the magnet can sit on the corner of the pincushion and be right at hand. Or ifyou have a strip magnet, use that along the seam edge of the cushion.
I plan on trying this when I get my machine back from the shop.
November 7th, 2010 at 8:58 am
Hi, Thanks for the great pattern. It will be really useful. I have been looking for something like this for some time. I usually just have a plastic shopping bag taped to the table and a piece of felt stuck on my work surface for the pieces of cotton. Your idea is so much better. Thank again Janet
October 21st, 2010 at 9:25 pm
I have been unable to download the web site page with all the info on how to make the pincushion, which is darling. Is there someway you can send me the tutorial.
Thanks
La Velda B
October 21st, 2010 at 8:05 pm
I have a smaller version and I believe this will work better. It does not look complicated and I think the larger size will work much better. Thanks for sharing.
September 8th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
I made one of these last night and I love it. I didn’t have clothesline and didn’t want to wait to finish it so I used a cool whip container lid lip (the part that goes over the bowl to give the bag structure and keep it open. Works like a charm. Also used some pea gravel from the garden in a snack size ziplock bag for a weight. Just had to make sure to get the stuffing in pretty good so I dont try to stick a pin in the rocks.
August 22nd, 2010 at 10:18 am
Hi Charlotte, I love your magnet idea. Would love to see how you work that piece of it out.
August 17th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Thanks for posting this tutorial. I had one of these many years ago but somehow someone sometime got rid of it for me. I’ll be making one and let you know how it turns out.
I also put a magnet on the pad for needles.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
I want to try one of these. it would work great to replace the gross one I have now.
August 8th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
I love this idea, great tutorial too. I am going to make this for sure!
August 3rd, 2010 at 7:45 pm
My husband would love for me to make this! Ever time I sew, my threads never seem to make it into the waste basket and more often than not, collect on the floor! This would give me no excuses :) Thanks :)
August 3rd, 2010 at 7:43 pm
My husband would love for me to make this! Every time I sew anything, I never get my thread tossed in the waste basket! This would give me no excuses :)
July 13th, 2010 at 9:16 am
Love the fabric, Helby, and I’m sure your mom does too! Thanks so much for telling me about it :)
July 7th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Thanks for posting this! I just made one for my mom, and I have another one on my to-do list for myself b/c I liked it so much:
http://helbyshatch.blogspot.com/2010/07/keeping-clean.html
Thanks again!
June 20th, 2010 at 7:30 am
Thanks, Millie! I appreciate your comment and welcome your feedback on the tutorial when you use it. I checked out your blog and maybe I’ll have to dust off my serger and try it again …never seem to get the tension right. Thanks again!
June 19th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
This is exactly what I need! Thank you so much for sharing. This tutorial is very nicely done and I am looking forward to making this, and also to reading through the rest of your site. Thanks again for sharing!
May 18th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Thanks, Anne! That’s fantastic :D I appreciate you helping to “pass it on”…
May 15th, 2010 at 5:15 am
Very nice idea. Love the one with the buttons added too, easier to empty the trash lol.
May 14th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
This is brilliant! I was just thinking the other day while I was at my sewing machine that there ought to be a way to discard all the little threads without having an obtrusive trashcan sitting there (my sewing machine sits at my dining room table). This is DEFINITELY going on my “to make” list!
May 14th, 2010 at 7:14 am
What? You mean you’re not just supposed to sweep your threads and scraps down on to the floor to deal with later???
I linked to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-make-a-thread-catcher-pincushion/2010/05/14/
–Anne
May 2nd, 2010 at 12:47 pm
I like the buttons, and thanks for sharing the link. Where in Southern Indiana are you from?
May 2nd, 2010 at 10:20 am
I made my mom a similar one for mothers day. She’s been admiring mine for months! I have sand, hadn’t thought about it dulling the pins. The one my friend gave me has buttons to hold the straps to the bag. It might be something to think about adding. I like that I can un-attach the bag and take the pin cushion to the couch or ironing board. Here’s a picture of it: http://mamabeefromthehive.blogspot.com/2009/12/gift-from-my-neighbor.html
May 1st, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Thanks, Rachel! I love your site and appreciate the link!!
April 29th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
Wow! What a great idea! That’s so convenient! I’m always trying to find a quick way to stash pins and throw away random piece of thread without making a mess. Love this!
April 28th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
I’ve seen these and think they are wonderful and so useful! I always move my trashcan right next to me, so how great to have it attached to the pin cushion! Great idea using hinges, too! I will have to dig though the garage for things I can reuse! I think I’ll be making one for myself and several others for gifts! Thanks for the great tutorial!
April 28th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Thanks for this great tute! I might have to make one soon. Like tonight. :)
April 27th, 2010 at 12:03 am
Very lovely and functional too!
April 26th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Whoa… this is fantastic! Thank-you so much for sharing this. What a great gift! I’ll be linking.
April 21st, 2010 at 11:29 am
This is smart and beautiful. Well done.
April 17th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Hi i am turkish. your handmade workings very nice.I am interested in sewing. I liked his ideas. My English is not very good sorry.