I love getting sewing supply catalogs at home. I get to browse thru them in my PJs and get great ideas on what is new in sewing notions. I saw this picture in a catalog and said ' hot damn! what a great way to hold straight pins and needles while you sewing!' It a simple metal circle painted in pretty colors with a strong magnet on the back. You place the circle on your shirt, slip the magnet inside the shirt to attach it to the circle. Magnet holds the circle in place but doesn't hurt your shirt!
The item does have a disclaimer; Caution: Do not place on electronic equipment, cell phone, computers (this means sewing machine with computer chips too), TV, credit cards, etc. Not for use by people with pacemakers. Keep away from children, yada yada yada.
Then I saw the price. $9.95???? what the hell??? For a piece of metal and a magnet??? I took a closer look at the Holder. Its a friggin' mason jar lid all painted up purty!
Off to the hardware store I go! Found some strong magnets. 6 for $1.97. More than I wanted to pay but I had a point to prove so I bought them. Couldn't find canning jar lids at the hardware store or at Walmart. I did find them at a local grocery store and on sale! 12 lids for $1.50! Once you do the math, it comes up to less than 50 cents apiece! Of course you can dress them up by spray painting them, decoupaging your favorite fabric on or just leave them plain (redneck style). They are cute and quick gifty item for quilting retreats or a stocking stuffer.
I'm thinkin' you could paint the names of the quilter in the label right under the BALL.
The holder I made will hold about 12 pins and needles. The magnet used is about one inch in diameter, 1/8 inch thick. If you get a larger magnet it will hold more pins and maybe a small pair of scissors. The possibilities are endless! A word of advice, be sure you remove all pin and needles off the holder before you remove the magnet. Otherwise the pins will fall on the floor and you may step on them....ask me how I know this *snarf*
Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz
4 comments:
What a great idea for a small quick gift. Thanks for sharing this one with us.
From one Redneck to another,
Thanks! I love making something out of nothing!
That's clever. Thanks. I wonder if it would work if you painted the lid with magnetic paint?
you could also glue a magnet to the back of the lid, then the pins wouldn't fall off. Our guild name tags are magnetic and both sides will stick to the door when not in use.
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