Scallop Square Pincushions!
I love working with fabric! I love to go into fabric stores. I love looking at all the different colors and running my fingers over all of the different textures. But alas, I am not an expert seamstress. I know the basics thanks to my grandmother who taught me to sew many, many years ago. Those times with her are still some of my favorite memories, and I am grateful for what she taught me.
I also love pincushions! I wouldn’t say I have a collector-type personality, but if I did, I would collect pincushions! They make me smile.
I wanted to make and give pincushions to my guests at a recent class. Since I am not an expert seamstress, I needed the project to be quick and easy. These pincushions fill that bill. I hope you will enjoy my my Scallop Square Pincushion Tutorial. I wish you a future filled with many brightly colored pincushions!
Supplies Needed:
-8 coordinating squares of approx 3×3 fabric. For these pincushions, I used the fun new Sweet Stitches Designer Fabric from Stampin’ Up!
-poly-fil. Can be purchased at any fabric or craft store. I purchased a 16 oz bag. So far, I have made 20+ pin cushions and have not even made a dent in the bag!
-sewing machine
-needle and thread
-iron
-2 buttons. It helps if they are the same size. I used the Big Designer Buttons that coordinate with the Sweet Stitches Designer Fabric from Stampin’ Up! They are, well BIG and easy to work with!
Optional Supplies:
-Big Shot Die Cut Machine
-Scallop Squares Duo Bigz Die
1. Cut out 8 squares of coordinating fabric. I used my Big Shot and Scallop Squares Duo die to cut out the fabric. Any excuse to use my Big Shot and I’m right on it! Remember, you can cut 8 layers of fabric at one time with the Big Shot.
2. Stitch the squares together forming 2 blocks of 4 squares each. I chose to have the scallops show on the front, so I stitched the squares wrong sides together. If you don’t want the scallops to show or are using plain-edged squares, stitch them right sides together.
3. Basic Sewing 101: Press the seams open!
4. Stitch the two blocks together. Again, I stitched the wrong sides together.
Be sure to leave an opening for the poly-fil.
-If you stitched the right sides together, be sure to clip the corners and then turn the pincushion right side out. And don’t forget to poke the corners out using the tips of a pair of scissors or your fingers.
5. Fill the pincushion with poly-fil. Fill it as much as you can without straining the seams. I tend to over fill it a little bit. It can never be too puffy!
6. Stitch up the hole left for the poly-fil stuffing. I used my sewing machine. If you have turned your pin cushion right side out, hand stitch the opening using a simple slip stitch.
Now it is time to add the buttons.
1. Double-thread a long needle (I used a doll needle) with a long piece of thread. Tie a knot in the end.
2. Poke your needle through the middle of one side of the pincushion, bringing it up in the middle of the reverse side. Don’t pull the thread tight just yet. Leave a small loop of thread on the first side.
3. On the reverse side, make a small stitch and bring the needle back through the center to the first side. Again, don’t pull the thread tight just yet. Instead, bring the needle through the small loop you left. Now pull the thread tight. This will secure the knot in the thread as well as pulling in the center of the pincushion in to make its shape.
4. Take your first button and pull the needle and thread through one of the holes, bringing the button down to the center of the first side. Bring your needle down through another hole of the first button, through the center of the pincushion to the other side. Bring your needle through one of the holes of your second button, bringing the button to the center of the reverse side. Sew on the buttons working from one side of the pincushion to the other. Again, using similar sized buttons will make it easier to match up the holes as you work from one side of the pincushion to the other.
5. Once the buttons are secure, bring your needle up to the top side, but not through a button hole. Instead, bring it up BEHIND the button.
6. Now you need to make a knot to secure the thread. Make a small stitch through the top side of the fabric underneath the button. Leave a loop. Bring the needle through the loop, pulling tightly. Repeat this a couple more times, then clip the thread underneath the button.
For the final touch, I added a gift card that I printed out using My Digital Studio software program. I punched a hole in the gift card using my Crop-a-dile, ran a piece of 1/8″ taffeta ribbon through the hole and tied the ribbon around the button.
Canning Jar Pincushion!
This is a quick and easy no sew pincushion idea made using a small canning jar. I found this little canning jar at a local thrift shop and snatched it right up. Perfect for my first canning jar pincushion!
What you need:
-canning jar with a ring top
-fabric
-card stock
-cotton balls
-hot glue gun
-scissors
-optional: Die cut machine, circle die or circle punch
1. Remove the ring from the lid. Using the lid, trace a circle on the backside of your fabric.
2. Cut the fabric around the traced circle using scissors, adding approx 1″ radius on all sides.
3.Layer the cotton balls and lid on top of the cut circle. (I used 3 cotton balls).
4. Place the fabric, cotton balls and lid into the ring.
5. Press the lid down so the cotton balls and fabric form the pincushion on the other side. Adjust the fabric so there is an even amount of fabric all around and there are no creases.
6. Fold the fabric over the lid and secure using a hot glue gun. (You can probably do a cleaner job with the hot glue gun than I did. I have a real love/hate relationship with glue guns and haven’t quite mastered how not to have a globby mess! And burn my fingers!)
7. Good thing you can cover up the inside of the lid with a piece of card stock or fun foam circle cut to fit. I used a 1 3/4″ circle punch to cut out the card stock and used the glue gun to attach.
8. Fill the jar with buttons or other goodies to add color and screw on the lid!
9. Decorate the top as desired and add pins. You are done!
Supplies Used:
Stamp Set: Tea Shop
Ink: Rose Red
Paper: Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Rose Red
Accessories: canning jar, Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric, cotton balls, glue gun and glue sticks, 1 3/4″ circle, large and scallop oval punches, Crop a dile, pink thread, various buttons
No Sew Pincushion!
Not a seamstress or don’t want to get out the sewing machine? No problem. Here is an easy no sew pincushion idea.
Supplies Used:
-small cat food can, cleaned out with the label removed (other ideas: use a baby food jar, tea cup, mason or other wide-mouthed jar) What a great way to recycle and reuse!
-8″ square of fabric For this pincushion, I used Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric from Stampin’ Up!
-handful of poly-fil
-hot glue gun
-card stock, designer paper, ribbon, buttons or other embellishments to decorate the outside of the can Tip: Once the label has been removed, use it to measure the size of paper needed to cover the can. For my pincushion, my paper was 7 3/4″ x 1 1/4″.
1. Clean out can and remove label.
2. Cut out 8″ square of fabric.
3. Lay fabric wrong side facing up, and place a handful of poly-fil in the center. Gather the fabric around the poly-fil.
4. Add hot glue around the inside rim of the can.
5. Place the gathered fabric inside the can, adhering the edges to the hot glue. Adjust the fabric as needed.
6. Decorate the front of the can using a strip of designer paper, ribbon or other embellishments
Photo Frame and Fabric Pin Cushions
I recently held a class for the ladies in Wetmore. We created pincushions using photo frames and fabric.
I provided photo frames and poly-fil that I purchased at our local craft store. I got out my stash of fabric, buttons, charms, baubles, miniature wooden spools, pins, twine and ribbon and let the ladies design their pincushion to their heart’s content. What fun!
These make quick and simple gifts for any occasion.
Check below for instructions in a pdf format.
Download Instruction for Photo Frame Pin Cushions
Here’s Gertie’s creation.
Here’s Vivienne’s creation.
Here is mine. The bow is made from the hem cut from a turquoise linen napkin.
For this pincushion, Dee decided to cover her frame with fabric.
I hope these provide you with inspiration!
