Needles and a Pen » Knitting, Sewing, and Nursing School

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  • Welcome to my blog!

    Hi! I'm Traci. I'm a Registered Nurse who loves quilting, knitting, cross stitch, and the great outdoors. In my pre-scrubs life, I owned Real Photography, and you can still see my old wedding and portrait photography site here .

    I've created a map that shows links to our camping/hiking/general family fun review posts that you can find here. It's pretty much the coolest thing on this site. Thanks, Google!

    I great big puffy heart *love* comments, so please let me know you visited! I try to always reply!

pincushion + scrap bag sewing organizer

I’ve been wanting to make a scrap bag for Edna Elizabeth.  Ever since we were booted off the dining room table I’ve been struggling for a spot for scraps and trash that accumulates while sewing.  I made this organizer from the tutorial by Elizabeth Harman on Sew Mama Sew.  I made a few changes to make it fit my style better, but wish I’d added a border to the top of the pockets on the organizer for a little more color.

The tutorial was very well organized and written.  I’m not sure if I did something wrong or need more rice or maybe my tables are just too slippery (I added 1.5 cups of rice to be safe–the tutorial called for 1.25 for the weight), but it won’t stay on the table with the scrap bag attached or anything heavy in the pockets (like the 15-91 user manual or a rotary cutter).  It’s great on the sofa, but on a desk it slides off.  I’ll probably try something else for the sewing desk and use this one for handwork on the sofa.  It’s not a fantastic idea for me to leave scissors hanging at a low level anyway, so it’s not a huge loss.  😛

The scrap bag looks very cute with my pin cushion jars!

Kelly - Did you use minute rice? I did in my first one that I made and it is MUCH lighter than regular rice… 🙁 Bummer. If that’s not it then I have no clue…

Melissa - What if you put a little piece of that puffy contact paper-like stuff…do you know what I mean? I put that under all kinds of things that I don’t want to shift! Let me know if you need a smidge and I’ll get it to you.

Meagan - Have you thought about using beans? I’ve used dried beans for crafting before and they’ve worked very well. Or if you don’t mind getting Edna Elizabeth a little sticky you could put a piece of sticky Velcro on the table and then another piece (maybe sewn on so it stays better) on the scrap bag.

Charise Randell - This little set is so cute. I’m so inspired by your projects and can’t wait to make this sent and the mason jar pin cushions!

Jessica - I love, love, love the little patches on the scrap bag! Too cute!

Susie - That’s really really cute, Traci. I love this idea, I”m having a problem with thread every which way when I get done, it’s beginning to drive my nutso. I’m going to take a look at that tutorial, thanks for the link 🙂 Have a great weekend!

Kait - I made one of those a while back and I really like yours (I’m a sucker for linen). Maybe you could use puff fabric paint for some traction? Or, darn, you could make another one 🙂

Kristi - Just found your blog through Blue Elephant Stitches and I love all of your beautiful photos and quilt projects. The pin cushion jars are adorable. Great stuff!

elaine - i put a bit of that none slip tray liner you can buy a roll from wilkinsons for a couple of pounds, just sew or stick it to the bottom.

Norma Dent - I bought something like this years ago to keep my bobbin lace bits and pieces in. It is much smaller than yours because the bag is only intended for something light. The pincushion is made in two layers, the bottom filled with silica sand and the top emery powder, to keep all the lace pins razor sharp. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the tutorial, I am inspired to make one similar for my sewing bibs and bobs.