So I decided to make some pincushions, but i did them a little differently...
I cut out circles the size of dinner plates, and ran tacking thread round the outside, and gathered them all up, sticking some felt covered card on the bottom for neatness. Also I used fine sawdust for stuffing. It makes a nice satisfying crunch when you put the pins in!

I like the one on the right best, it looks like a cake!

the bottoms.