A little treat for me

When I was little, my mother sewed many of our clothes. She once made me something out of this seersucker fabric--a dress? a skirt? I can't remember. What I do remember is that I took a piece of the scraps and used it for my first-ever sewing-machine project: a pincushion. Apparently, the sewing machine was set up with black thread--and I didn't change it, or hand-sew the open side. All the same, I was proud of this pincushion and have used it all these years for sentimental reasons.

But it has its flaws (beyond the aesthetics). The pins poke through to the other side--often my lap--and if a cat knocks it on the floor, they fall right out.

The other day, I saw the perfect solution. Egg-cup pincushions! For some reason, until I saw this tutorial, I never understood the reason behind pincushions-in-a-container, besides being cute. (Mostly, I'd been turned off by some that were too cutesy for my taste.) But I suddenly realized maybe this wouldn't get caught up in the fabric and get dropped off the ironing board or sewing desk all the time! Maybe the cats wouldn't see it as the perfect toy! And, not only that, but for some unknown reason, I was recently compelled to buy a set of turquoise egg cups at a tag sale, despite the fact that I don't eat soft-boiled eggs. Clearly, it was meant to be.

This tiny little project was just right for me this week, as I've been feeling crummy with a cold and lack of sleep. I broke into my gifted vintage fabric, added some vintage buttons, and made these. One for by the sewing machine, one for the floor or the ironing board, or wherever I am. Maybe they'll inspire me to get to some real sewing this week. Lucy's got a new sweater that's begging for a skirt...