All my crafty and sewing friends noticed these on this years Great British Sewing Bee. Several of the contestants had them in various shapes and sizes.
I thought I could make them but needed the tools as my Lidl glue gun was not up to the task at only 5 watts.
Ebay delivered a new 20 watt device.
My first attempt involved a pretty red and white spotted jam jar lid. You need a strong base as otherwise you can stab yourself in the arm. Unfortunately, it rattled against my watch. Back to the drawing board.
A milk bottle top looked a likely candidate, as we use milk cartons, I went scavenging in my neighbours recycling bins. I did ask permission, mostly! My friends also came up with the goods.
So this is the process if you fancy a try.
You will need.
1 x milk bottle top, approx 4cm diameter
2 pieces of velcro, approx 2cm x 5cm. As not everyone’s wrists are the same size.
Matching Thread.
Toy stuffing or similar.
Glue Gun
Cut a piece of fabric 23cm long by 8cm. For the wristband.
Another piece approx 12cm diameter circle. For the pincushion.
Ribbon for decoration approx 15mm wide, depending in the height of the milk bottle top.
The Wristband
Fold the wristband fabric lengthways and pin. Sew the seams leaving 5mm seam allowance. You can also use two separate pieces of fabric. If you have a folded edge, sew one end, then sew along the length, leaving a space, so that it can be turned inside out, and sew to the other end. Turn inside out, making sure the corners are pointed. Iron Flat.
Top sew around the whole wristband, therefore sewing up the gap.
Attach a piece of velcro to each end of the wristband, one facing up and one facing down. On top, attach the spiky velcro and on the bottom at the opposite end attach the fluffy velcro. This is important, as when you are wearing it, you do no want the spiky velcro on you skin. Notice on the completed items below, the spiky velcro is on the top next to the pincushion.
The Pincushion
Take the circle of fabric and make a running stitch all the way around the end, about 5mm in. A little more if the fabric frays. Use strong thread or double the thread as it is about to be under considerable tension.
Pull the running thread to make the pincushion shape. Put in as much stuffing as you can. It is tricky to get the stuffing in while the thread is not knotted. Knott the thread leaving a small hole as above. Using something small, like tweezers, keep stuffing the pin cushion until it is quite hard and compact.
Attached the pincushion to the bottle top. Put glue around the inside edge of the bottle top and a little in the middle, put a small amount on the underside of the pincushion and squeeze them together, making sure the pin cushion is very securely attached to the inside of the bottle top on all sides, especially around the edges. Work quickly.
MIND YOUR FINGERS. IT IS NOT CALLED A HOT GLUE GUN FOR NOTHING!
Let this dry for a while, until cold.
Glue the pincushion to the wristband in the middle.
Wait for it to dry.
Glue the decorative ribbon onto the outside edge of the milk bottle top, to cover it up. Turn the ribbon in at the ends for neatness.
At this point check all the edges around the pincushion and around the area where the pincushion is attached to the strap, add more glue in small amounts until it is very secure.
The wristband and pincushion joints take a lot of force, as it is being attached to the wrist when used.
I went a bit mad.
I made at least twenty.
They made great lockdown gifts for my crafty and sewing friends.
Spread the love.
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