Fans of folk art will recognize the name given to useful items created by our ancestors from things they had at hand. pincushions were often make-do projects. pins were a precious commodity, and saved carefully for re-use. Thrifty homemakers crafted pincushions for the purpose from a bit of fabric, stuffing and whatever container or pedestal was ready for repurposing—a cup with a crack, an empty spool, or a broken candlestick.

Make your pincushion and pop it into a container you already have on hand—you have a make-do! Use a JABC kit to get started, or even better, use fabric you already have on hand. The instructions given produce a flat–bottomed pincushion that can stand on its own. Or you can drop the pincushion into a mug, pop it into an old jar lid, or glue to the top of a spool. The pincushion becomes a make-do when you add the creative finish using something you already own. (JABC)