A Lid, a Magnet, a Favourite Scrap: The Pin Pot That Sits Beside Your Machine

There is a particular kind of chaos that happens about twenty minutes into a sewing session. You reach for one pin, knock over the tin, and suddenly there are tiny sharp things glittering on the carpet. The jam-jar pin pot is my favourite antidote: a shallow little dish, lined with a scrap you actually like, with a magnet tucked inside to stop pins wandering off. It takes about ten minutes, uses things you probably already have, and sits beautifully beside the machine.

This is a proper Stitch Play make — easy stitches, happy makers, no specialist kit. You can go completely no-sew or add a few simple hand stitches if you fancy a softer finish. Either way, it is a useful little thing to have on the table when the nights draw in and the sewing machine comes out.

What you need

For the basic version, gather:

• A clean jam-jar lid, ideally with no rust or sharp edges. A standard 454g jar lid is a good size; a larger lid gives you more room for pins.
• A scrap of cheerful cotton, about 2cm wider than your lid all the way round. Old shirt fabric, leftover quilting cotton or a charity-shop fat quarter all work well.
• A small strong magnet. Craft shops and hardware shops often sell neodymium disc magnets; Hobbycraft, The Range, Robert Dyas and local ironmongers are good places to look. A 10mm–15mm disc is plenty.
• All-purpose craft glue or strong fabric glue. Bostik All Purpose or Gorilla Glue are widely available in the UK. If you are gluing fabric to metal, check the label says it bonds both.
• Optional: a scrap of wadding or felt, needle and thread, and a small piece of fine sandpaper if the lid edge is rough.

Give the lid a good wash and dry it completely. Jam jars are lovely, but sticky residue and glue do not mix. If the lid smells of last summer's strawberry jam, a soak in warm soapy water will sort it.

The no-sew version

This is the one to try if you want a pin pot on the table before your tea goes cold.

1. Cut a fabric circle roughly 2cm bigger than the inside of your lid. If you are using a patterned scrap, centre the motif — a tiny flower or a stripe looks unexpectedly charming under a pile of pins.
2. Put a ring of glue around the inside edge of the lid. Press the fabric in, right side up, easing it into the corners. Snip a few tiny notches into the fabric edge if it bunches.
3. Glue your magnet to the centre of the fabric. Hold it for the time stated on the glue bottle — usually a minute or two — then leave it to cure properly. Do not rush this bit; a magnet that comes loose is a magnet that ends up under the fridge.
4. Once dry, add your pins. The magnet will hold loose ones in place, while the fabric gives the pot a softer look than bare metal.

If you want a slightly tidier finish, run a thin line of glue around the top edge and fold the fabric over the rim before pressing it down. This hides the raw edge and stops the fabric from fraying with use.

The low-sew version

For a softer, more cushion-like pin pot, make a tiny padded fabric insert and pop it into the lid.

1. Cut two fabric circles the same size as the lid, plus one circle of wadding or felt slightly smaller.
2. Place the fabric circles right sides together and stitch around the edge with a 5mm seam, leaving a small gap for turning. A simple running stitch is fine. Clip the curves, turn it right side out, and press.
3. Slip the wadding inside, then tuck the magnet into the centre of the wadding so it is hidden but still close to the surface. Sew the gap closed with a neat ladder stitch — or a wonky one; we are not judging.
4. Glue the padded insert into the lid, magnet side down if you want pins to stick to the top through the fabric. Leave to cure.

This version is lovely for a gift, especially if you use a scrap with meaning: a piece of a favourite dress, a leftover from a baby blanket, or a bright print from a holiday project.

Safety notes for homes with children and pets

A magnetic pin pot is a useful tool, not a toy. Strong magnets are dangerous if swallowed — they can attract each other inside the body and cause serious injury. Keep small magnets well away from babies, toddlers and pets, and store the finished pot on a high shelf or in a closed drawer if little hands are around.

An adult should handle the magnet and glue. If you want a child-friendly version, skip the magnet entirely and make a felt pin cushion in the lid instead. Use a blunt needle and let them choose the fabric. For pets, remember that pins and magnets can both be tempting to nudge off a table, so choose a lid with a good weight and keep it pushed back from the edge.

Check the lid for sharp edges before you start. A quick rub with fine sandpaper will smooth any rough spots. And do not use the lid for food afterwards — once it has held glue and pins, it has a new job.

Playful variations

Once you have made one, you will spot potential pin pots everywhere. An old toffee tin becomes a larger desk tidy: glue a magnet inside the base and line the lid with fabric. A mint tin is a brilliant travel pin pot for a sewing class or a weekend away. A small biscuit tin can hold pins, clips and a seam ripper, with a magnetic strip glued inside the lid to keep the metal bits in place.

Fabric-wise, let yourself play. Liberty print scraps look ridiculously pretty in a jam-jar lid. Oilcloth wipes clean if you are using the pot near baking or messy crafts. A plain linen scrap with a tiny embroidered initial makes a thoughtful handmade gift. And if you have a favourite shirt that has finally given up, cut a circle from the cuff or pocket — it is a quietly lovely way to keep it on the sewing table.

A small, useful thing

The jam-jar pin pot is not going to change the world. But it will stop you crawling under the table for stray pins, and it will make your sewing corner feel a little more intentional. That is a good trade for ten minutes and a scrap of fabric. Make one for yourself, make one for a friend, and let the loose pins land somewhere cheerful.