Yep, I know...another pincushion.
But humour me because I just love making them!
I especially like my pincushions to serve more than one purpose, which is why this one has a really neat pocket to one side which can hold scissors, needles and a seam ripper...and silly me forgot to put the tape measure in there as well.
My new favourite pin cushion (this week anyhow...)
You can use any smallish embroidery that you have but the one I've used is part of THIS SET of 5 stitcheries in my Etsy Shop. I think we all have orphan stitcheries stowed away, but if not you could also do a little paper piecing with a set of hexies instead.
You will need...
One feature block measuring 5½" x 5¾".
I've used pink floral and green check prints for the rest of the pincushion.
Pink floral -
Two, 1½" x 5¾" lengths
Two, 1½" x 7½" lengths
One, 3" x 3½" rectangle
One, 3½" x 7¾" length
Two, 5" x 11" rectangles
Green check -
One, 3½" x 4½" length
One, 2½" x 42" length for the binding
Extra -
One piece of scrap cotton wadding
Stuffing for your pincushion
Let's sew...
Note: use a 1/4" seam unless instructed otherwise.
Sew the 1½" x 5¾" lengths of floral fabric down both sides of the embroidered block, and the 1½" x 7½" lengths across the top and bottom. Press.
Sew the 3" x 3½" rectangle of floral fabric to the 3½" x 4½" length of green check fabric to make the pocket.
Fold the floral/check pocket in half and press.
I added a line of stem stitch in the ditch and a line of running stitch inside the green check edge...
Pin this pocket to the bottom of the 3½" x 7¾" length of floral fabric and sew around the sides and base with a scant 1/8 inch seam.
Sew this down the left hand side of the bordered stitchery.
Pin the front of your pincushion to a larger piece of scrap cotton or wool quilt wadding.
Hand or machine quilt in your preferred way.
I used stemstitch in the ditch around the embroidery and added rows of running stitch in the border.
Trim the excess wadding from the front of the pincushion.
Sew the two 5" x 11" rectangles of floral fabric together along the 11" edges, leaving a 5" opening in the middle.
Sew straight lines just inside the raw edge of the seam.
You now have a front and back to your pincushion.
Place the front and back together, wrong sides facing each other.
(the back will be slightly larger than the front)
Pin the two sections together.
Make a length of binding with the 2½" x 42" length of green check fabric and sew around the outside edges as you would for a quilt.
Press away from the pincushion.
Trim away the excess backing so the back is the same size as the front.
Turn the binding to the back and sew in place.
I added a button the top right of the stitchery at this point.
Fill the pincushion with your preferred stuffing and ladder stitch the opening closed.
Fill the pockets, pop in some pins and you have a handy dandy pincushion to sit by your sewing chair!
I really hope you make one of these, or two, or three...perfect gifts for a sewing friend or for swaps.
It was so nice to spend time in my sewing room this morning after cleaning out the pantry yesterday and catching up on the rest of the housework that had been put aside while Cully May stayed with us. Some day sewing feels like a reward, especially if it's not actually 'work', and today was definitely a reward day.
I shall sign off tonight with the most gorgeous photo of our precious Rafaella, just 4 days old.
She melts my heart.
hugs
