Released March 30, 2008
by Julie Mueller
These versatile yet simple, inexpensive pincushions make great gifts for all ages. Make them with white velvet and embroider with baby designs for a helpful diaper pin holder or make them in red or green for Christmas gifts, or violet for Mother’s Day. This pincushion is pretty enough to be left on a dressing table or in the closet where straight pins are always handy.
Supply List:
- 3-5” plastic, ceramic or clay pot liner for the base
- 9” circle of velvet or velveteen fabric
- 12” decorative braid or trim
- Felt for base bottom
- Favorite embroidery design, threads, stabilizer
- Fiber fill for stuffing
- Basic sewing materials & notions
- Gold acrylic paint and sponge brush (or spray paint)
- Glue gun and glue sticks
Basic Instructions:
1. Using the sponge brush and gold acrylic or spray paint, paint the base. Set aside to dry.
2. Mark the center of your 9” velvet circle with a pin or chalk.
3. Embroider your design centered on the velvet using sticky paper and water soluble stabilizer (WSS) on top. Good
design ch oices would be a type of frame design or a monogram frame (remember, the center will be filled with
pins) and you don’t really want any thick solid areas or the pins will not go into the pincushion. Remove as much
stabilizer as possible after embroidering.
4. Using your sewing machine and a basting stitch or other long straight stitch (suitable for gathering heavier
fabrics) sew around the outside edge of the circle approximately 1/4″ from the outside edge leaving long tails to
gather. Being sure to leave a 3″ opening for stuffing, gather the circle into a pouch, arranging gathers evenly and
neatly.
5. Stuff your pouch very firmly with the stuffing, making your velvet ball nicely round and firm.
6. Using your glue gun, put the velvet ball (opening side down) into the painted base and glue in place along the edge.
7. Glue decorative braid or trim around edge where the velvet and base meet.
8. Cut felt the size of the base bottom and glue into place.
That’s it. You’re done. Enjoy!
Wish you had shown a picture of the pincushion. It is so much easier to make a project with the written instructions and a picture. Thanks
Comment by ElizabethTighe — March 31, 2008 @ 3:48 pm
Agree that a picture is needed. I’m a visual person and seeing what the project is supposed to look like helps things go a little smoother.
Comment by Rhonda — April 1, 2008 @ 6:58 am
I agree with earlier comment about including a picture. A picture is worth a thousand words … for me.
Comment by Bev — April 1, 2008 @ 7:20 am
Yes, I agree, even with great instructions, I still need a visual aid.
Comment by Phillis Works — April 1, 2008 @ 9:48 am
All ya have to do is ask!
Thanks, Julie, for allowing us to post your pics!
Rob
Comment by rob — April 1, 2008 @ 12:38 pm
Glad I was going to commment on the “no picture”…I found the picture in that area! Thanks seeing is a great thing!=0)
Comment by brenda — April 1, 2008 @ 7:35 pm
As a kid, my Mom stuffed her pincusion with our hair. I use the ‘trimings from my ‘grand-poodle’. The hair has enough natural oils in it to keep the pins from rusting and allow them to go smoothly into materials. Understand, of course, that I am so old that “fiberfill” wasn’t yet invented
Comment by Eunice — April 2, 2008 @ 8:53 pm
3-5” plastic, ceramic or clay pot liner for the base
Having multiple mental moments here! ! ! Is the above item a small flower pot?
Comment by Teres — April 3, 2008 @ 7:56 am
Yes. The pot liner is a more shallow version of a pot. But, deeper than a pot tray.
Comment by LouLou — July 27, 2008 @ 2:19 am
i like the idea of having something special on my sewing table We make so many nice things for others .This pin cushion is a nice way to say thank you to ourselves(the sewist). I like the style of this pincushion and I like your instructions
Comment by Verne — February 18, 2009 @ 9:54 pm