A pincushion with quilted chevron sides and a tufted button top will be right at home in your sewing space. Choose the small, medium or large size to make the perfect gift for any sewist.

Supplies

Supplies listed are enough to make one pincushion.

Solid & print fabric (amount according to pincushion size; see "Source")

1/3 yard of cotton batting

Contrasting all-purpose thread

Coordinating skein of Perle cotton thread

Needles: hand embroidery (optional) & upholstery

Button blanks (two 1 1/2"-diameter for large size, two 1 1/8"-diameter for small & medium size) & covered button kit

Rotary cutting system

Stuffing (such as crushed walnut shells, flax seed, wool roving or fiberfill)

Cut It

Create a small, medium or large pincushion depending on your space and need. The small pincushion measures 2" tall x 3 3/4" square. The medium pincushion measures 2 1/2" tall x 5 1/2" square. The large pincushion measures 3" tall x 6 1/2" square.

For each pincushion, choose a solid and print fabric. For the small and medium pincushions, 1/8 yard of each fabric is plenty. For the large pincushion, purchase 1/4 yard of solid fabric and 1/8 yard of print fabric.

For the small pincushion, cut one 1 1/4"x42" strip and eight 2 1/2" squares from the solid fabric. From the print fabric, cut one 1 1/4"x42" strip and reserve two scraps for the covered buttons.

For the medium pincushion, cut one 1 1/2"x42" strip and eight 3" squares from the solid fabric. From the print fabric, cut one 1 1/2"x42" strip and reserve two scraps for the covered buttons.

For the large pincushion, cut two 1 3/4"x42" strips and eight 3 1/2" squares from the solid fabric. From the print fabric, cut two 1 3/4"x42" strips and reserve two scraps for the covered buttons.

Sew It

Use 1/4" seam allowances unless otherwise noted.

With right sides together, stitch the solid strip to the print strip along one long edge. Press the seam to one side. Using a rotary cutting system, cut 16 right triangles from the strip.

Align two triangles, matching one long print-fabric edge to one long solid-fabric edge. Stitch the long edge, forming a square. Press the seam toward one side. Repeat to create 8 total squares. Align two squares with right sides together, aligning the pieced seamlines. Stitch one short edge, forming a rectangle; press the seam toward one side. Repeat to stitch four total pieced rectangles.

With right sides together, stitch two solid squares along one edge; press the seam toward one side. Repeat to stitch four total solid rectangles. Stitch two rectangles together along one long edge with right sides together. Press the seam toward one side. This is the pincushion top. Repeat to create the pincushion base using the remaining two solid rectangles.

Cut the batting to match each pieced rectangle. Quilt each rectangle by stitching 1/8" from the seam along the solid fabric. Cut the batting to match the pincushion top and base. Quilt the top and base by stitching 1/8" on each side of each seam.

Place one pieced rectangle along the pincushion top with right sides together, aligning the rectangle long edge with one top edge; pin. Stitch, beginning and ending 1/4" from each end. Repeat to attach the remaining pieced rectangles to the remaining top edges.

Stitch the pieced rectangle long raw edges to the base per the top assembly instructions, leaving a centered 2" opening along one edge for stuffing and turning. Stitch the pieced rectangle short edges, beginning and ending 1/4" from each end.

Turn the pincushion right side out. Stuff with the filling of your choice.  Slipstitch the opening closed.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions to cover the buttons using the reserved fabric scraps.

Thread an upholstery needle with two strands of Perle cotton thread. Center one button on the pincushion top. Pass the needle inside the button shank at the pincushion top, through the pincushion to the base center, and then through the remaining button. Stitch back and forth through the pincushion between the buttons several times, pulling the thread taut to achieve a tufted effect. Tie the thread in a knot along the base button shank.

TIP:  Use the pieced rectangles for the pincushion top and base and the solid fabrics for the pincushion sides. Hand embroider a saying, name or initial onto one solid square after construction for a personal touch.

Fill'er Up!

There are many products available to fill a pincushion. Fiberfill is a tried and true stuffing but doesn't have any additional benefits. Try something new and mix together a few options for a unique spin on your pincushion.

• Wool roving has natural lanolin that helps pins and needles slip smoothly through fabric.
• Crushed walnut shells add weight and are mildly abrasive so they help keep pins and needles sharp.
• Flax seeds help prevent pins and needles from rusting.

Source

Westminster Fibers provided the Designer Essentials Solids and Acacia Hummingbird by Tula Pink fabrics for Free Spirit: westminsterfibers.com.

Appeared in:

Volume 7

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