5. Mending Jar

Not just for jelly, these petite canning jars are cleverly transformed into organizers for mending necessities -- such as buttons, needles, and thread.

MATERIALS

Pencil
4-ounce canning jar with lid and band
3 x 3-inch pieces of 1-inch-thick foam
Scissors
Thread and needle
5-inch circle of calico fabric
2 x 2-inch pieces of felt
Pinking shears
Thick white crafts glue
2-1/2 x 1-1/4-inch piece of card stock paper
Felt scraps
Items to fill jar, such as buttons, needles, thread, thimble, safety pins, etc.
Sew-through button

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Trace the widest part of the band circle onto foam; cut out. Using thread, gather the outside edge of the calico circle. Place the circle of foam onto the top of the lid. Add the calico circle, pulling the gathers tight on the underside, and allowing a 3/4-inch opening. Cut a 1-1/2-inch circle of felt with pinking shears.
2. Glue the felt over the gathered fabric on the underside of the lid. Smooth the calico over the foam, pushing the foam away slightly at the lid edge. Add the band.
3. To make the thread and needle holder, cut card stock paper on the long sides using pinking shears. On one short side, stitch a piece of felt that is pinked on all sides and slightly larger than the card stock. Allow 3/8 inch of felt to fold over the end of the card stock.
4. Machine-stitch across one end of the felt, securing the card stock.
5. Wrap an assortment of thread on the card stock. Add safety pins at the stitched edge. Insert two needles under the thread into stitched edge.
6. Fill the jar with desired sewing notions. 

from Better Homes & Gardens

[Edit 12/16]—It looks like BHG no longer has this project on their website, but I did find a similar project at the Silly Pearl website, complete with a cute little printable label.

4. Sewing Basket

This sewing basket, complete with painted scissors, offers a personalized set of tools.

MATERIALS

Scissors with bright plastic handles
Rubbing alcohol
Disposable plate
Paint for plastic, such as Plaid, in desired colors
Paintbrushes
Sewing supplies
Small basket
Natural shredded paper

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Wipe scissors handles with rubbing alcohol. Put a small dot of each paint color on a plate. Use colors that blend well together and complement the color of the handles. Decide where you want to place the designs.
2. To make daisies, dip just the tip of the paintbrush into paint. Lightly touch the paint to the handle surface, making a tiny oval petal. Continue making petals in a circle, leaving the center open. Using white, highlight each petal. Make a tiny dot in the center using a different color of paint.
3. Paint the stems and leaves using green highlighted with yellow. Allow the paint to dry for 48 hours before use. Arrange other sewing supplies around the scissors in shredded paper.

from Better Homes & Gardens

3. Button Bag

Inspired by the basic brown paper bag, these small totes are made of canvas or linen.

Materials

12-by-24-inch piece and 3-by-24-inch strip of canvas or linen
3-by-24-inch strip of fusible webbing
Pinking shears
Sewing machine
24 inches cotton webbing, for handles
Needle and thread
100 or more buttons per side, depending on placement and button size

Instructions from MarthaStewart.com

2. Button Wreath Ornament

Colorful stray buttons can be put to new use as Christmas ornaments. If you don’t have enough loose buttons, or the right colors, don’t worry—stores sell them by the bagful. Kids will enjoy this project because each wreath they make will be unique.

MATERIALS

Needle-nose pliers or wire cutters
16-gauge copper wire, or 22-gauge green floral wire, cut to 9-inch lengths
72 buttons for each wreath
Scissors
Satin ribbon, 1/8 inch wide and 6 inches long
Seam binding for decorative bow

1. Using pliers, make a small loop at one end of the wire.
   
2. Thread buttons onto the wire until you have enough to form the size of the wreath you want. Our wreaths are 2 1/2 inches in diameter.
   
3. Using pliers, bend the plain end of the wire around the looped end. This will form the wreath.
   
4. Use the satin ribbon to make a loop for hanging the wreath; tie the ribbon in a knot about 3 inches above the wreath.
   
5. Tie a bow of seam binding to decorate the wreath.

SOURCES

16-gauge copper wire
22-gauge silver-plate wire
Available at local craft and hardware-supply stores

22-gauge green floral wire
Available at local floral-supply stores

from MarthaStewart.com

1. Make a Button Necklace

MATERIALS:

Abalone-shell or pink mother-of-pearl buttons
Beading string, cut to 40 inches
Crimp bead
Necklace closure
Needle-nose pliers

1. Fold the string in half, and create an end by tying two slipknots 2 inches down from the fold.
   
2. Slip a button on one string. Tie another slipknot 1 inch from the previous knot. Repeat until you have 12 buttons on the string. (Sophie makes five strands for her necklace, but you can make as many or few as you like.) Trim the ends (not the looped end) 2 inches from the last knot.
   
3. Gather all the ends together, and crimp in a crimp bead. Attach the necklace closure using a pair of needle-nose pliers.

from MarthaStewart.com