Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Pin Puffs for Smitten Safety


I made these Pin Puffs yesterday after coming home from a doctor's visit and a pharmacy run with my husband.  I'm very embarrassed to be sharing as to why I decided to make these Pin Puffs but I feel it's my conscientious duty as someone who likes to sew on the go.


Before I left to go with my husband on his doctor's appointment and knowing this would be a good time to do some hand piecing, I grabbed some of my paper piecing from my Smitten project and placed them in my neat little project bag, from one of the Fat Quarter Shop Sew Sampler Box, which I was using for the first time.  I've included a needle and thread and a pair of scissors in this bag.  Usually when I transport a project I used a metal lunchbox to contain my project and supplies but this little bag was a nice size for portability and it fits on my lap.  While I was basting and had to rethread my needle, I stuck the needle on the chair since I didn't have a pin cushion. This is what I usually do when I'm sewing in the car.  My husband happened to come out to the lobby while I was in the process of rethreading my needle and we got to talking and I put away my project so we could then go to the pharmacy.  While I was sitting in the pharmacy waiting room, I pulled out my project and realized that I left my needle stuck in the chair at the doctor's office.  I quickly called the doctor's office and alerted them to what I did and fortunately they found the needle.  Even though they thanked me for calling them, I felt so bad thinking about the disaster this would have caused; someone sitting on it, a child finding it, the question if it was contaminated, etc.  In my vision of a worst case scenario, this would have been a news story and I didn't want my face splashed across the screen.


Thankfully, this did not happen, but as a precaution that I will never do anything so irresponsible again, I decided to make some pin puffs which would fit it in this bag.  I had some leftover circles from a yo-yo project and used those to make my Pin Puffs, by stuffing it lightly with foam and adding some funky buttons for embellishment.  I also sewed an stretched-out elastic pony tail band on the bottom so I can wear it on my wrist.


As you can see, the Pin Puff fits very nicely in the project bag.  And if you're wondering why I made so many, probably because I had the circles and also because I plan on leaving one in the car.  

Somewhat sewing in shame, I hope everyone remembers to sew responsibly.  I know I will now.  
Linking up with Beth/Cooking Up Quits

18 comments :

  1. Love your pin puffs. Great idea for using up scraps.

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  2. Easily done! I usually do the same if I sit on the sofa, stick the needle or pin in the arm of the sofa. I've seen some very cute little magnetic pin and needle keepers on other blogs, I'm keen to make one of those, one day!

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    1. I do the same thing when I'm at home even though I don't like to because of our dogs. Something magnetic would be a great way to hold the pins. Thanks for visiting.

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  3. I can totally relate to that! I use the arm of the sofa as my pin cushion like ES does! Good thinking using a yo-yo (as I call them!) to make a little portable pin cushion!

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    1. Thanks Susan, I did like making them because I made them from yo-yos which somehow deflated so I had these circles ready for making these puffs. I do like the portability. Now you given me the idea of making more and putting them in a basket so I can grab one when I need them. I really have to be careful with my needles with our dogs.

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  4. Your pin puffs are darling and a great idea. Much more fun than a boring pin cushion. Lost needles are a problem -- I am amazed how a needle can flip off into space never to be seen again. I think you were very responsible by calling as soon as you realized what had happened.

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    1. Thanks Bonnie. I did enjoy making my puffs from scraps. I know what you mean about lost needles, I've spent time looking for them because of our dogs. I had to call because I didn't want to be the poster child for stupid sewing. I definitely learned my lesson.

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  5. I have to pay close attention to what I do with my needles! Sometimes I leave it in a binding-in-progress, and while transporting the quilt, the needle goes missing--bad move! Glad you weren't in the evening news!!!

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  6. This is such a great idea! This is even a great idea for around the house. I'm guilty of sticking needles in the chair arms and then forgetting about them.

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  7. Thanks Tish! I was thinking of making more of these and putting them in a basket so I can grab one when I need it. They're so easy to make.

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  8. Love the line "sew responsibly"! My daughter handed me a pin I left in a baby quilt only yesterday.....note to self..make some pin puffs. Great idea!

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    1. Thank you for reading my confession. I'm always getting a look when a member of my family picks up one of my needles, not that I drop a lot of them. I hope you enjoy making some pin puffs, they really are useful.

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  9. Now that is a funny story! And, there but for the grace of God go quite a few of us I am sure! Your pin puffs are the perfect solution!

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    1. Hi Wendy! I'm still recovering from this faux pas but enjoying using my pin puff. I know I'm not the only one that does this, I didn't want to be the poster child for careless sewing. Sew Safe!

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  10. Your story was written so well and your solution even better! I'm so glad you wrote it - and shared your solution! Just think of all the other people potentially saved from those of us who sew on the go! I'll be making quite of few of these for my friends! I so appreciate you sharing!

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    1. Thank you for your kind comments. I really felt I needed to write this and alert others of the potential hazard if you sew on the go. The pin puff is working well and I want to make more. They would make great gifts also for my sewing friends; they're quite pretty when you have one around your wrist.

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I appreciate your comments but due to traveling and my ineptitude with typing on either my iPhone or iPad, my response may be somewhat delayed. Thank You for your understanding.