How I Made a Pin Cushion Thread Catcher for My Sewing Table

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Last year in my sewing class, I noticed these clever sewing scrap collectors at every station. I’ve been wanting to make one ever since! The design has a weighted pin cushion on top, which is brilliant—it holds your pins and keeps the scrap bag steady at the same time.

It’s such a simple idea, but it’s perfect for catching all those fabric scraps, loose threads, and tiny trimmings that pile up while you sew.

The Process

I followed this video tutorial which made the entire process super easy. Here's a quick breakdown of how it went:

1. Materials I used:

   1. Fabric scraps (I loved being able to use up some of my stash!)

   2. Boning for added structure (I used scrap plastic from packaging but boning can be found here)

   3. Rice, sand, or other weighted objects for the pin cushion

   4. Sewing supplies like my machine, thread, clips, and scissors

2. The Tutorial:

   The video walked me through every step, from cutting the fabric to assembling the bag. The only modification I made was increasing the overall size of the pincushion by about 1 inch.

How It Turned Out

I love the end result! The sewing scrap collector hangs directly on my sewing table, making it ideal for disposing of thread scraps. After sharing my video online, many comments recommended adding a non-slip liner to the bottom of the pincushion to prevent it from sliding, and I think it's such a smart idea that I intend to implement!

Ready to Make Your Own?

Check out the video tutorial I followed and give it a try! If you make one, I’d love to hear how it turns out—feel free to share your experience in the comments or tag me on social media.

Happy sewing, and here’s to keeping those scraps under control!

With love and creativity,

Jacquie

Atom Heart Cross Stitch