There are standard tomato pincushions, but if you want something really different check out this collection of awesome DIY pincushions!

When I was young, my mom was a big sewer. She’s been sewing all her life. I remember a thimble collection that she had displayed on her wall that always intrigued me.
My mom also had one of those tomato pincushions . . . that always disappeared because we would play with it. We may have even lost it once or twice, or maybe even dumped all her pins all over the floor. I’d like to make it up to her though – with a cute, unique DIY pincushion!
A woman as special as my mother definitely deserves something unique. In my quest for “different” pincushions, I found several that you will fall in love with – I know because I did.
How to Fill Your Pincushion
If you’re going to make it, and push pins in it, you’re going to need something to fill it. Before we dive into the projects, I wanted to go over the common materials used to fill pincushions.
Take a peek at the list below. You can consider the pros and cons of each material and then alter the tutorial to fit your needs if it doesn’t use the material you desire.
Poly Fill/ Cushion Filling
- Pros: Easy to find, inexpensive, and easy to fill all the areas of the pincushion (especially if the cushion is a shape).
- Cons: Very light, which means it’s easy to knock off of a table, and you can’t use it to weigh fabric down.
Ground Walnut Shells
- Pros: Not too expensive and easy to find at the pet store (cat litter section) or online. Adds weight to the cushion.
- Cons: Not great for people that have a nut allergy!
Sawdust
- Pros: It’s readily available, free (I’ve never seen anyone charge for it), and smells great (at least to me).
- Cons: Some wood has chemicals in it, so probably best to grind up a branch yourself or get sawdust from a woodworker who works with untreated lumber.
Rice
- Pros: No smell, inexpensive, and adds some weight for the base. Great for combining with other materials.
- Cons: Doesn’t provide as much weight as some other options, so you might want to use in conjunction. Honestly that’s hardly a con!
Fabric Pieces
- Pros: Perfect for using up fabric scraps! Instead of throwing them away, this is a great (free) use for them.
- Cons: Very, very lightweight and can be hard to evenly fill a small sewn item. Definitely use in conjunction with other materials.
Steel Wool
- Pros: Sharpens needles and pins and is easy to find, inexpensive. You can place a piece at the top of a DIY pincushion that uses other filler materials.
- Cons: Hard to bend and form into shapes. You’ll also want to use fine steel wool, so not all sizes work for this purpose.
Now that you know what to use as fill, let’s dive into some crafts! If you’d like to see the great homemade pincushions I found, just scroll down. Which is your favorite?
DIY Pincushions
Pincushions are a necessity when sewing, but that doesn't mean they can't look cute, right? Here are 20+ adorable handmade pincushions for you to try.
Pin Cushion Jar
Learn how to turn a simple mason jar into a pin cushion jar. This project takes about 30 minutes, so you can whip one up while catching an episode of your favorite series.
Crochet Cupcake Sewing Kit
I am in love with this one! Those sprinkles? Yep, you guessed it, they are pins. This crochet pattern is designed to fit large mouth mason jars.
Cactus with Flower
This cute little cactus was destined to be a pincushion – pins make the perfect spikes! You'll get to use a real (tiny) terra cotta pot.
Pincushion Rings
If you need those pins easily accessible, wear them on you finger with a cute ring. These are especially useful for hand sewing.
Berry Basket
This pincushion looks normal, until you realize there is a berry bin underneath. With a few supplies and 10 minutes to spare, you’ll have an adorable DIY pincushion ready for all your sewing projects.
UP Movie Inspired
UP is one of my favorite movies of all time, and this pincushion makes me happy (also the pins are just like balloons!). I'm not sure how practical it is for the long haul, but it sure is cute.
Mini Patchwork Cushion
Jamie accidentally bought a mini charm pack and decided that it would make a perfect mini patchwork pincushion. Such a cute project that came from a mistake!
Felt Flower
Felt and embroidery thread are used to create this flower topped pincushion. The embroidered French knots in the middle are so cute!
Hedgehog Pincushion
We had a hedgehog growing up, and I have to say, his prickles felt just like pins! This little cutie is fun to make with fake fur.
Voodoo Doll
Make a DIY pincushion of your least favorite person and - just kidding! But this voodoo doll is pretty cute. It also has a wrist strap so you can wear it, making it very useful.
Wine Cork Pincushion
This DIY pin cushion trendy and inexpensive to make – in this tutorial, Amy shows you how to create this simple craft using wine corks.
Wool Applique
This is a nice small project to practice your wool applique techniques. I love the vibrant colors Melissa used for these DIY pincushions.
Basket of Strawberries
Here is another berry basket full of felt strawberries! Is there anything cuter or more functional than this strawberry pincushion? Follow the easy instructions to make one for your sewing needles and pins!
Phrenology Head
What is phrenology? The study of measurements of areas of the human mind. I know crafting takes up a big part of mine. This simple project pincushion is a perfect gift idea for someone who loves to craft 24/7!
Picture Frame
Turn a small frame into a super cute pincushion - no sewing needed! The frame helps give the cushion a bit of weight, and it's not easy to tip over.
Vintage Egg Cup
Amy couldn't resist these vintage Easter egg cups even though her family doesn't eat soft boiled eggs. No worries - they make adorable pincushions!
Vintage Measuring Cup
Here is another vintage find turned into a pincushion - a measuring cup! Add a photo to the outside with decoupage medium to make it a perfect personalized gift.
Pincushion with a Pocket
If you can never find your scissors for snipping loose threads when you need them, this is the perfect solution! Make a dainty little DIY pincushion with a built in pocket.
Teacup Pincushion
This is a super easy no-sew pincushion project! This is another great option for using up those fabric scraps.
Sugar Cookie
This is an easy sewing project for kids to try. They'll have fun picking out the colors to use for their mini pincushion cookie.
Sewing Needle Storage
Now this is a bit different since it is for sewing needles instead of pins. However, I had to include it because it is such a great idea. With this, you can always find the right sewing needle for your project!
I hope you enjoyed these ideas for DIY pincushions! For more ideas I think you’re going to love, check out these posts:
karen roark
Saturday 21st of June 2014
Hey Amy - thanks for reblogging my pincushion ring! It was one of my favorites - glad you liked it too! :) k