Save on landfill waste and turn tuna cans into adorable pincushions. Cat food and dog food cans are the same size and shape and work just as well for this project. Clean the cans with soap and water prior to starting the project.
Things You’ll Need:
Tuna can
Mod Podge
Foam brush
1 ½-inch wide scrap ribbon
Sharp craft knit.
8-inch circle of fabric (old clothing works great for this project)
Sewing needle
Quilting or buttonhole thread
Fiberfill
Hot glue gun
Hot glue sticks
Instructions:
Step 1 – Remove the label from the can. Apply a layer of Mod Podge to the outside of the can.
Step 2 – Place the can on a flat work surface. Wrap a piece of 1 ½-inch wide ribbon around the can so it overlaps by approximately ½-inch. Line the bottom edge of the ribbon up with the flat work surface. Press the ribbon in place.
Step 3 – Apply a second layer of Mod Podge over the top of the ribbon. This includes the area that sticks above the top rim of the can. Allow the Mod Podge to dry 1 hour.
Step 4 – Cut off the portion of the ribbon that extends past the top of the can with a sharp craft knife. The dried Mod Podge holds the fibers of the ribbon together and makes it easy to cut off. Hold the end of the craft knife parallel with the top of the can. Pull the knife around the can to remove the extra ribbon.
Step 5 – Sew a basting stitch around the circumference of the fabric ¼-inch from the edge of the circle. Pull the initial piece of thread through the fabric until 6-inches remain. Stitch every ¼-inch. Cut the needle from the thread leaving a minimum of 6-inches.
Step 6 – Gather the fabric to create a circle. Hold both ends of the thread and slide the fabric along the thread. Stop sliding the thread when the opening is approximately 3-inches.
Step 7 – Stuff the gathered circle with a 4-inch ball of fiberfill.
Step 8 – Continue gathering the fabric until the opening is approximately ½-inch in diameter. Tie the thread off with several knots. Cut the thread approximately 1-inch from the knot.
Step 9 – Liberally squeeze hot glue over the inside bottom of the can.
Step 10 – Immediately turn the stuffed fabric over so the opening is on the bottom. Press the ball into the tuna can. Allow the glue to dry 30 minutes.
Add bows to the front of the completed tuna can pincushion or other embellishments such as beads, rhinestones, sequence or glitter. Make several and give them as gifts.