Do you remember those old slap bracelets? Each one was made of lightweight metal and, when you lightly slapped it on the back of your wrist, it would curl around your wrist and stay there. They came in all sorts of colors and designs but, eventually, people lost interest in them. Do you still have one of those bracelets? Maybe you have an old cuff bracelet you never wear? If so, why not turn it into a helpful wrist pincushion that you never lose? If you sew a little, or a lot, the cuff bracelet pincushion is a helpful addition to your sewing notions.
The first order of business is making a small, round or square pincushion. One way to do that is to just cut two pieces of cloth or felt, sew them together, but leave a small opening where you can stuff them. Push cotton into the opening then sew it shut.
Another way to make the pincushion itself is to cut a four-inch circle of lightweight fabric. Around the edges, do a baste stitch. When you’ve gone all the way around the circle, pull one thread from the baste and, as you do, the edges will begin to gather. Pull them tightly but leave enough room – for now – to add the stuffing. Push cotton into the opening then finish tightening. Tie a knot to secure. To cover the tiny opening glue or sew on a small, fabric or silk rosebud or other flower. Or, just glue on a pom-pom.
Slap the bracelet on your wrist, or slide on the cuff, and mark an area on the center, back of the wrist. Use tacky glue or hot glue to attach the small pincushion to the marked area. After the glue dries or sets, you’re ready to use it. Just put the bracelet on when you get ready to sew or cut patterns. When you’re finished, just take it off, and store it with other sewing notions.
If you don’t have a slap bracelet or cuff you can use it’s easy to make one. You can just cut a piece of felt and add a Velcro closure. Or, cut a piece of plastic from a milk jug and, again, use the Velcro closure. Glue the homemade pincushion to the simple bracelet and use it when you’re ready.
The cuff bracelet pincushion is so simple to make yet sturdy enough to use for years. You’ll never have to worry about not being able to find it while you’re sewing and, when you’re finished, you can store it around the needle uptake bar on your machine.