I met Sue from Jersey Scrapper at the very first Fat Quarterly Retreat in 2012. As an organiser extraordinaire, I knew she would be the perfect tutorial writer, and now Sainsbury’s will think so too, as I might have to pop over at lunchtime tomorrow and pick up some Kilner jars!
Take it away Sue!
I bought a Kilner jar when I was in Winchester in May as I wasn’t sure I could buy them in Jersey. Of course when I got home and actually ventured into Le Lievres, they had them in all of the sizes. It would have saved me time at airport security as they wanted to see my “jar of jam or chutney”. It was actually fabric stuffed into my Kilner jar to save room as I was travelling hand luggage only, but only just!!
Now here’s a tutorial to make a pin cushion jar using:
- One Kilner jar which cost under £3. The small jar cost me £1.50
- 5″ circle of fabric
- 3″ circle of wadding – I used an iron on wadding
- Scraps of wadding to stuff the pin cushion
- Glue – I used glossy accents. diamond glaze would also work well. I wouldn’t use a hot glue gun as the glue is too bulky.
- Compass to draw the circles
Firstly I ironed the wadding into the centre of my 5″ circle of fabric. This is from the Country Girls range by Riley Blake. I quilted the pin wheel in the centre and then tore up some scrap wadding to use as stuffing. I put some wadding behind the fabric to give it more firmness. Then I rang a large machine stitch 1cm in more the edge of the circle to gather the circle.
Gather the circle evenly until it’s about the same size as the top.
Stuff the inside of the pin cushion, insert the lid into the pin cushion and pull the threads tight. Turn the lid over to make sure you’re happy that your design is central. Then run a thin bead of glue around the inside of the screw top lid. Drop the pincushion into the lid and screw it tightly onto the jar. This will help the glue set. Leave to dry for at least an hour.
I thought long and hard about how to finish the inside of the lid without adding to the bulk and I had a flash of inspiration. Take out the metal lid and glue it down. I put glue onto the fabric surrounding the wadding and also onto the metal part of the lid. Screw onto the jar again so as to set the glue. A seam ripper is useful for folding down the fabric and a cotton bud for clearing up any glue which lands where you hadn’t planned!!
I think this method gives a neat finish.
I plan to use one of the jars for a birthday present to a fellow quilter and plan to add a mini charm pack and a few Fat Quarters. You could add some washi tape, buttons and flowers to the belly of the jar, but I like it plain.
Thanks Sue for the fun tutorial. I love the fussy cut pinwheel and great idea to use leftover wadding for stuffing.
I love this idea. It would be so handy to take to a sewing class or sewing day out of home because you have your pincushion and a hold all for all those bits and pieces that seem to wind up all over the place!
Thanks for the easy to use tute too!
Great way to finish off the top! I think these make the best gifts, also as a first sewing kit to a child or a non-sewing friend, filled with basic sewing supplies.
What a cute pin jar. Just right for keeping all your needs.
Very easy to follow.
hugs Kay
Thanks for the great tutorial. x
Great – I have a couple of jars in my sewing room just waiting for this very project.
Thanks Sue for a great tutorial. Kilner jars have changed; the last one I saw had a glass lid and a loose rubber seal (like a giant washer). But that was probably 40 years ago! Must remember to buy Kilner next time I'm in UK.
Great idea for a present or on a table at a fete 🙂
Thanks for the tutorial and a super fabric to use for the top too. Airport security can be a real pain!
Thanks for a great idea and tutorial!
love this, and I have a kilner jar already
Lovely, but my impulse but was the jars with the clip lid rather than the screw lid , could someone do an idea for them?????