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