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Home Ā» DIY & Tutorials Ā» Craft Tutorials Ā» Tuna Can Pin Cushion-Recycling at it’s best!

Tuna Can Pin Cushion-Recycling at it’s best!

October 12, 2010 by Kara Cook 45 Comments

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Roofers are in the process of laying shingles on our deck roof. We are getting so close to being done I can almost taste the grilled chicken. Man I’ve missed that. Hopefully we can sneak in a BBQ or two before the snow flies. I needed to be here in case they had any questions, so I’ve been crafting and baking all morning. Just pulled two loaves of pineapple cranberry zucchini bread out of the oven. Yummo!

I also finished up a tutorial for you. I’m sure the construction crew wonders why the heck I keep taking pictures of cans and fabric. They must think I’m nuts!

I’ve been doing a lot of sewing lately, and I decided it was high time I had a cute pin cushion. I’ve been using one of those ugly tomato things for years. I know, totally lame. I’ve seen some really cute pincushions made inside of teacups. But I didn’t have any teacups layin’ around, so I used what I had. Yep, a tuna fish can. I’m going to show you how to make your own.
upcycle-tuna-can-pincusion

Tuna Can Pin Cushion Tutorial

The first thing you need to do is make some tuna sandwiches so you have a can to work with. 😉
Wash and dry it really well, then give it a couple coats of spray paint. Most of it will be covered, the most important part is the top rim and bottom edge. So make sure you spray those parts well.
craft-project
Next you need to measure your can and cut a strip of paper to wrap around it. Mine was about 10 1/2″x 1 1/4″. (You could use fabric instead if you prefer.)

I inked the edge of my paper to add dimension.

Next you want to use mod podge to attach your paper. (Or if you are using fabric, you can attach it with hot glue.) Let it dry for at least an hour.

For the top, you need to cut a piece of fabric into a circle shape about 9″ across. It doesn’t need to be perfect.

Using some string or really sturdy thread, do a running stitch around the circle, about 1/4″ from the edge.

Now carefully pull the threads tight and stuff with fiberfill as you go. You need to stuff it really full. Be careful when you get to the end not to break your thread. When you have it full and gathered, tie the two ends of string into a knot. It should look like this on the bottom:

And this on the top:

To secure your cushion into the base, take some hot glue and make a line all along the inside edge of the can.

Then take your cushion and carefully push the bottom into the can.


At this point, you could be done. But of course I needed to add some embellishments to make it cuter. I added a strip of burlap that I attached with hot glue.

And then I made a paper flower by cutting a bunch of circles out of paper, inking the edges, and sticking a brad through the center. I also added a couple paper leaves.

You can embellish it however you like. Fabric flowers would be darling, so would some vintage buttons. The possibilities are endless really. No matter how you finish it, it’s bound to be the cutest tuna can any of your friends have ever seen! 🙂

 

Filed Under: Craft Tutorials, DIY & Tutorials Tagged With: fabric, spray paint

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lauren A.

    September 19, 2021 at 11:13 am

    This is my first sewing project. I figure making a pin cushion out of recycled materials rather than buying it would be the way to go. I’m using an old felt blanket that I never use anymore and a strip of a galaxy dress I took apart. (It’s gonna have a blue galaxy theme.) My thread doesn’t break easily when I try and snap it but it breaks when I try and tie it off. Any recommendations on the type of thread or string to use that won’t break as easily?

    Reply
  2. Jennifer

    April 9, 2020 at 5:24 pm

    I spray painted mine, problem solved no smell, just do the inside too šŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Kara Cook

      April 15, 2020 at 10:56 pm

      Great tip! Spray paint will probably cover just about any smell. Haha.

      Reply
  3. Mixed Kreations

    April 25, 2012 at 4:02 pm

    This is cute. I go through a lot of tuna. And I do need a pin cushion. Great tutorial! Thank you for sharing.
    Linda

    Reply
  4. MamaGoose

    January 23, 2012 at 5:29 pm

    Ok, I’m officially giving up on the tuna can! I tried soap/water, vinegar, baking soda, bleach, lemon juice, and toothpaste, and the darn can stick stinks of tuna! I will have to find a similar sized can with something other than tuna in it for this project. This project is turning out to be tougher than I thought!

    Reply
    • Kara

      January 24, 2012 at 12:13 pm

      Dang, that stinks! No pun intended. šŸ˜‰ I didn’t have that problem with mine. Maybe just different brands of tuna use metals that absorb odors more? Hope you can find a substitute. Or maybe if the can sits long enough, the tuna odor will go away on it’s own. Good luck!

      Reply
  5. MamaGoose

    January 22, 2012 at 3:51 pm

    How did you get the tuna smell out?! I washed my can with soap and water but that didn’t work. So then I soaked it in vinegar, then washed it in soap and water again, and it still stinks of tuna. I have it soaking in a baking soda bath now, so I hope that works, because I’m out of ideas!

    Reply
  6. Alison

    November 6, 2010 at 5:41 pm

    I had a great time making this one! Some friends also suggested making it a cupcake…how cute would THAT be!?

    Reply
    • Kara

      November 8, 2010 at 1:58 pm

      It would be totally adorable as a cupcake!

      Reply
  7. Margaret

    October 29, 2010 at 1:37 pm

    Super cute. I recently got into sewing so I’ll have to try this out. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  8. evispir

    October 29, 2010 at 12:51 pm

    So cute! Thanks for the tutorial!<3

    Reply
  9. Anne

    October 29, 2010 at 7:47 am

    Very pretty!! I linked to your tutorial over at Craft Gossip Sewing:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-pincushion-from-a-tuna-can/2010/10/29/

    –Anne

    Reply
  10. beth

    October 28, 2010 at 12:48 pm

    I am currently re-energizing my sewing mojo and have been putting off getting a pincushion until I found something other than the “traditional” tomato. I will me making this very soon! But I might add some sort of weight to the bottom (rice/rocks/ball bearings glued to the bottom) so it doesn’t have that tuna-can “echo” when it drops to my work surface after a snagged pin lets go.

    Reply
  11. maggielucia

    October 26, 2010 at 11:15 am

    seriously adorable..i just made a “sweet flower wrist pincushion” from another tute and now i am going to make yours for my “tomato replacement ” on my sewing table.
    thanks !

    Reply
  12. Janey

    October 19, 2010 at 2:39 pm

    Adorable! Now I know what to do with all those cans.

    Reply
  13. Ashlee

    October 18, 2010 at 1:32 am

    Cute! Tuna is one of the few canned foods we eat. What a great idea! Thanks for linking to Topsy Turvy Tuesday’s!

    Reply
  14. Karisa

    October 15, 2010 at 1:19 pm

    What a great idea! I love upcycling crafts because you don’t have to buy as much AND you don’t have to feel bad about throwing stuff away. Thanks for linking up at our blog hop. I hope to see you back next month too!

    Reply
  15. BuyWoWWarlock

    October 15, 2010 at 2:21 am

    i never thought of using a tuna can as a base for cushions.
    this is such a great idea!
    this is really recycling at its best:D

    Reply
  16. Terrell

    October 14, 2010 at 2:08 pm

    This is just seriously adorable!! You’re so creative! I love it! I am happy to be your newest follower and would love to have you as a friend at Frou Frou Decor! Be sure to link up your sweet creations at my weekly party, Fabulous Friday Finds! Hope to see you there!
    Hugs,
    ~Terrell @ Frou Frou Decor~

    Reply
  17. Christina

    October 13, 2010 at 7:28 pm

    I love this idea…and I am embarassed to say I am using an ugly old tomato right now! Ugh…time to change that!

    Reply
    • Kara

      October 18, 2010 at 9:16 pm

      I used an ugly old tomato for over 15 years, don’t feel bad. šŸ˜‰

      Reply
  18. Julie S

    October 13, 2010 at 12:16 pm

    Love your pincushion idea! Have you ever thought about using an SOS pad or some other steel wool product along with the batting? I made something similar to this with a mason jar and the steel wool was suggested to keep pins sharp. Just an idea. Take care and thanks for all you do. Enjoy all your great ideas!

    Reply
    • Kara

      October 18, 2010 at 9:16 pm

      I never thought of that, but it sounds like a great idea. I wonder if it really works?

      Reply
  19. Lisa

    October 13, 2010 at 7:09 am

    Great idea to recycle something you would normally throw out! I don’t know if this would work in my house…I have a feeling my cat might go crazy over the can!

    Reply
  20. Sunny's Life in Rehab

    October 13, 2010 at 6:46 am

    Methinks the cats are about to get over-fed this week so I can get some Christmas gifts knocked out. This is a great idea!

    Reply
  21. delia

    October 12, 2010 at 11:25 pm

    very very cute Kara!

    Reply
  22. Melinda

    October 12, 2010 at 10:01 pm

    Have I ever told you that you’re a genius? Not only a genius, but a cute genius. I love this!

    Reply
  23. April

    October 12, 2010 at 9:11 pm

    Adorable! Were you able to get the tuna smell out??

    Reply
    • Kara

      October 18, 2010 at 9:19 pm

      Absolutely! I just washed it with soap and water, no problem at all. It would be horrible to have a pin cushion that smelled like tuna. Nasty!

      Reply
  24. Pam

    October 12, 2010 at 6:11 pm

    Such a cute idea.

    Reply
  25. Keyona

    October 12, 2010 at 5:36 pm

    You still have the cutest ideas! I love it.

    Reply
  26. Joy

    October 12, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    Love it! I have been wanting a cute pincushion too. I may just have to ‘steal’ your idea! Please come link it up on Make It Fantabulous! on Friday!

    Reply
    • Kara

      October 18, 2010 at 9:23 pm

      I seriously suffer from short term memory loss. But I’ve added your party to my list, so hopefully I will remember in the future!

      Reply
  27. deb

    October 12, 2010 at 4:01 pm

    Shared your post on my blog! I actually meant to save it and publish it later this week but i hit publish instead of save and DON’T YOU JUST HATE IT WHEN THAT HAPPENS??? LOL

    love the pincushion!

    Reply
    • Kara

      October 18, 2010 at 9:23 pm

      I’m glad I’m not the only one. šŸ˜‰

      Reply
  28. Heidi N

    October 12, 2010 at 3:47 pm

    You are so creative! I need to make one of these so I don’t keep pricking my fingers when I pick up my wimpy tomato pincushion with the pins poking out on the bottom.

    Reply
  29. Marianne

    October 12, 2010 at 3:28 pm

    That is so cute! I’ve been wanting a new pin cushion as well since I’ve also been using the boring tomato. I even made tuna fish sandwiches for lunch today! I’ll hurry and take the tins out of the garbage can and make me a cute pin cushion. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kara

      October 18, 2010 at 9:24 pm

      I’d love to see it when you finish! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  30. haley davis

    October 12, 2010 at 3:23 pm

    Oooo super cute!

    Reply
  31. Krystal

    October 12, 2010 at 3:03 pm

    Great idea! It looks so cute!

    Reply
  32. Janet

    October 12, 2010 at 2:42 pm

    What a fun idea! I love the colors that you chose.

    Reply
  33. Rebecca

    October 12, 2010 at 2:38 pm

    I love this idea! I have been in need of a new pin cushion and just can’t bring myself to pay for another “tomato”. Now I can’t wait to make my own! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  34. Rochelle

    October 12, 2010 at 2:07 pm

    Oooh, that is so cute! I love the colors you chose to decorate the tuna can with!

    Reply

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Hi. I’m Kara, and I love to create! I share recipes, DIY tutorials, craft projects, and thrifty home decor. I hope that I can inspire you to create something!
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