Stickin’ it to the pincushion
You ready for this? Easy, quick and very satisfying pincushion.
Cut 2 circles from your chosen fabric. One side a woolen fabric like felt (at least 70% wool) or wool blanketing (the side you stick pins in) and a cotton fabric for the other side. You can make the diametre of this as large or small as you wish for your pincushion, up to you. The circles pictured here are 5 inches (approximately 130mm) in diametre (1/4 inch / 5mm seam allowance included).
Depending on the type of cotton fabric you use, you may need to iron on interfacing to prevent fraying of the edges.
Put the two pieces together right sides facing and sew on the sewing machine a hem around the edges. Oversew the start and finish of your sewing. Don’t forget to leave a gap between 1-2inches to turn out.
Turn the pincushion right side out through the gap you’ve left.
Stuff the pincushion, stuff it well if you want a nice plump, firm finish. You can use polyfill (craft fill) or wool roving. Make sure to stuff using little tufts, don’t stuff in chunks of filling you’ll end up with a bumpy finish.
Once you’re satisfied with the firmness of your pincushion, slip stitch the opening closed.
Now comes the fun bit. Grab yourself the longest sewing needle you have and some embroidery thread (use all 6 strands), you’ll need quite a long piece, don’t cut it too short.
Tie a knot in one end of your thread (make it a decent knot, you don’t want it to slip/pull through the fabric) and starting from the felt side stick the needle and thread through the centre of your cushion through to the cotton side. Pull it tight and then loop it around the cushion over to the felt side and come up through the centre in the same place you started. You’ve done one petal.
From there continue doing the same thing, working in a figure 8 around the pincushion. So after the first petal wrap the thread around the opposite side of the first petal and come back up through the centre again. Continue until you have 8 plump petals, making sure you pull the thread tight each time so you get nice definition. You could also try a 3, 4, 5 or 6 petal version.
Then once you’re satisfied with your petals knot the thread whilst it’s still attached to the centre and then add your decoration to the centre of your cushion, or leave it bare. The one pictured here has a vintage button on one side and a self covered button in the same cotton fabric used on the other side.
After I’d finished writing this :) I came across this tutorial which will also assist! via Redwork in Germany.
No pincushion would be complete without shrinky pins, here’s Hilary’s tutorial
There’s Bella Dia’s stunning work
Flickr: pincushion tag and group
Next week a tutorial, how to make your own customised tape measure cover. A simple, fun project.
March 1st, 2006 at 1:01 pm
These are so cute!
They remind me of something, but I can’t quite pinpoint what it is!
March 1st, 2006 at 1:14 pm
Beautiful work! I love this! :)
March 1st, 2006 at 1:18 pm
Thanks for the tutorial. I’ve looked at yours and thought how cute they were and thought they looked a bit tricky! Off to give it a go.
March 1st, 2006 at 2:09 pm
Love these! Thanks for the tut! :)
March 1st, 2006 at 2:30 pm
excellent - looking forward to next weeks and more!
March 1st, 2006 at 2:53 pm
Thanks for the tutorial, I’ve always loved your cushions. Thanks for sharing. Does any know where to get the material needed for shrinky pins in Australia?? I would love to give these a go as well.
March 1st, 2006 at 5:22 pm
I’ve always wanted to know how these were made.
Butn now looking at them I’m sure I once used to know and may have even made one at school.
Isn’t it funny how something so small and simple can get you excited to make one:)
Thanks
March 1st, 2006 at 7:09 pm
How cool that you posted the directions for these little buggers!
Your site is too much fun!
March 1st, 2006 at 8:20 pm
great tutorial! I can’t wait to see the next one!
March 1st, 2006 at 8:58 pm
this is great I need one and this one is beautiful and it sounds easy thanks !
March 1st, 2006 at 9:17 pm
I can’t wait to try this!
March 1st, 2006 at 9:46 pm
Can’t wait for the tape measure tutorial.
March 1st, 2006 at 11:24 pm
Hey thank you for this, I actually don’t own a pin cushion, but this makes me want to go home and make one.
March 2nd, 2006 at 12:16 am
Such a great project idea. Thanks for taking the time to share all the details Nicole!
March 2nd, 2006 at 1:06 am
Great tutorial! Can’t wait to try one of these!
March 2nd, 2006 at 2:02 am
Thank you so much for sharing this - I can’t wait to try one for myself.
March 2nd, 2006 at 3:43 am
Yay! I expect there will be an EXPLOSION of pincushions on the Flickr group in the next couple of weeks.
March 2nd, 2006 at 9:18 am
Enjoy and get crackin’ want to see all your pincushions.
March 3rd, 2006 at 6:09 am
Um, You ROCK! Thanks for sharing this!!!
March 3rd, 2006 at 7:58 am
ohhhhhh this looks fairly simple and wonderful to do! thank you!!!!
March 3rd, 2006 at 8:01 am
i picked up a 1930s feedsack version of this guy at a flea market this summer (but mini-styles and attached to a round flat backing with bias tape around the edge) and i totally love it. the mini-ness is great cos it’s so portable, and the backing anchors it nicely because it’s really light. i actually made my friend one for a present, and she thought it was a brooch, which was inspiring for future projects - and i’ve seen clusters of these guys as brooches at H&M. it’s a fun form to play with (hairpins, earrings, etc.)
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:29 am
i love this! thanks for the demo…great idea…looking forward to the next one!
March 4th, 2006 at 12:06 pm
Adorable & so easy! Thanks for sharing!
March 6th, 2006 at 7:54 am
I was thinking yesterday that I needed a pincushion. Checked out whipup for the first time and made 2 of your little guys last night. I love them, thanks.
March 21st, 2006 at 10:11 am
Thank you so much for posting this tutorial!
April 15th, 2006 at 3:30 am
So cute! Thank you for this great tutorial. I made a few this week, and I think you are right, making the petals is the fun part!
May 19th, 2006 at 9:44 pm
[...] More inspiration from Down Under over here and here. Craftapalooza’s handstitched pincushions are also SO very delectable. (She graciously wrote a tutorial, too!) My in-laws are sewers and quilters, so these might just be what Kris Kringle ordered for my anti-consumerist Christmas. Any excuse, really, to go thrifting for fabric. [...]
July 4th, 2006 at 7:17 am
[...] Sometime today, Karen sent along the link to the Stickin’ it to the Pincushion on WhipUp.net. I already had pincushions on the mind, because I had seen and purchased some really cute ones at merchandise night when I was in Louisville. But these were so easy and so cute, I just had to make one. Then one turned into three. This first smaller one is made from a yummy sea turtle batik from my friend Karen and a piece of fulled wool from a swap last year. I also used black mother of pearl buttons and variegated floss for the first one. [...]
July 4th, 2006 at 7:22 am
I have seen these a lot of places, but this makes it so simple and irristible I just had to make some! Thanks.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:26 am
[...] So i saw these REALLY cute pincushions…and I felt the deep desire to make one. ahhaah Bot-Gurl and I went and did the Hobby Lobby and Joann’s to get fabric and stuffs. That was alot of fun. lol. but i busted out the Hello Kitty sewing machine i got last summer and i actually sat down, read the directions, threaded it up…and got it going. [...]
July 25th, 2006 at 3:16 am
Just stumbled on these. They are darling. Going to make for my Xmas exchange for my bridge group grab bag
July 26th, 2006 at 12:04 am
Thank you for the pattern. I am attempting to make one now with some felted wool that I made.
July 27th, 2006 at 8:21 am
[...] I used the pincushion tutorial on Whip-Up, using two different cotton fabrics, and embellishing the top with two colors of felt and a blue button. Here’s a view of the pincushion from the top — it’s sitting on my in-progress Ribby Shell. [...]
August 5th, 2006 at 11:26 pm
ooh, thanks for the tute - finally got around to making one last night. here it is on flickr if anyone wants to see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oliveonline/207150468/ Really easy, you’re right but I handstitched mine - will machine it next time around…
August 8th, 2006 at 11:04 am
just love the little pumpkin pincushion,
September 18th, 2006 at 1:01 am
[...] Photo Description:I made a cute little pincushion for the pattern and directions found on whipup.net [...]
September 29th, 2006 at 9:26 pm
Cute and simple. Great project.
October 3rd, 2006 at 12:41 am
superbe, tank you I ‘m understand all !!!
j’ai tout compris merci
October 12th, 2006 at 9:50 pm
May I use your pincushion directions in a tatting class? I would need to make several copies or link back to your site.
thanks
October 14th, 2006 at 11:10 pm
Easy and cute, - good ida…
October 23rd, 2006 at 5:40 pm
I made a pile of these for a school fete,and was pretty p*** off that they thought they were only “woth” asking $2 for!
Not worth me wasting my time!
November 6th, 2006 at 1:24 am
I just wanted to say thank you for posting this pattern/tutorial. I posted it on my blog but couldn’t remember where I saw it. Thankfully, someone else knew and made a comment. Anyway, I have had lots of compliments on the one that I made and I wanted to make sure that you knew you were getting credit for ‘the original’ thought. :-)
November 12th, 2006 at 1:04 pm
Thank you so much for this tutorial. This was fun and easy to make, and I fear that now my house might be overrun! I linked to my picture in the website text box. :)
November 18th, 2006 at 8:09 pm
it’s easy to make
thank for this tutorial.
Alejandra
Chile
November 24th, 2006 at 12:27 am
Very many thanks
December 10th, 2006 at 1:07 am
wondering, is there any substitution for the wool fabric? i’m apparently allergic to the stuff - it’s ALWAYS itchy, doesn’t matter how nice it is.
so, i don’t work with it anymore. but i’d like to make up some cute pincushions!
marvelous tutorial - even i can follow it. :)
December 18th, 2006 at 6:47 am
Fantastic thank you, I’ve been looking for a ‘loveable’ pincushion for ages. Am going to have a go at this one asap.
January 7th, 2007 at 2:10 am
What a wonderful site. So refreshing and it contributes to so many peoples creativity. THANKS Babz
January 25th, 2007 at 12:51 am
I made a pin cushion last night based on your instructions. I’m sooo happy with it! I love it! Thanks for such an awesome site and wonderful tutorials!
February 12th, 2007 at 3:52 am
Oh my, it’s soooo cute! I have to do one to myself also :)
February 12th, 2007 at 11:19 am
I had so much fun with this…a quick and easy project!
February 21st, 2007 at 11:52 pm
What a wonderful site. Thanks.
Kisses>
Geisa.
March 2nd, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Thanks for the easy to understand instructions. Mine turned out very cute!
March 3rd, 2007 at 6:06 am
They are so great! i will try:)
Zelia, Portugal
March 23rd, 2007 at 7:19 pm
I made one for myself, it`s great, i love it!
thanks for the idea.
Isabel F.
April 27th, 2007 at 6:00 am
these are sooo cute!!i wish someone would make them for me!!
April 29th, 2007 at 2:27 am
[...] I came across this recently and thought it was very cool. I got lost for about an hour just looking at the galleries of pincushions that have been made in the challenge! There’s even a great pincushion making tutorial to help you get started creating your own pincushion creations for the challenge. There are different themes to follow for entries, and the current theme is “Eats,” so all the entries for March and April are food related. Those should be interesting! If I had the pincushion making skills I would have to make a big hot fudge sundae cushion! LOL There’s a week left in that challenge and then a new theme will start. Looking forward to seeing the results and to hear what the next theme is. So, what creative pincushioning have you done? [...]
May 22nd, 2007 at 2:35 am
[...] got the instructions for the little pumpkin from Mary Kathryn, but you can also find instructions here. Both the Strawberry and Pin Blossom turned out really well, but I’m afraid I didn’t [...]
May 22nd, 2007 at 7:44 am
soooo cute , i”d like to try to work it out…
luv it….gud tutotial….
thank u…..
June 18th, 2007 at 11:39 am
After seeing this website MANY MANY months ago . . . and after a long difficult pregnancy with my 12th baby, I finally dug in and have been sewing away making these! I LOVE THEM! My daughters have been helping me and we are having tons of fun! I wrote about it on my blog today as well . . . along with pictures! I am joining the pincushion club! I am now offically addicted! :)
July 6th, 2007 at 11:25 am
Went looking for directions to make a pincushion and found this tutorial! Great fun and really cute: better than the store-bought tomatoes! I will be making a number of them for gifts: all the women I know hand-sew and could use another pincushion!
Hazel
July 11th, 2007 at 4:03 am
Oh what fun, my friend told me about this, just this morning and here I go.
I’ll let you know in a week how many I’ve made.
September 27th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
[...] Stickin It to the Pincushion Tutorial [...]
October 7th, 2007 at 4:05 am
[...] the vintage button swap hosted by Shim and Sons, I made a pin cushion using the beloved WhipUp pattern — the cushion features a vintage button on the front and back, of course. I threaded the [...]
November 11th, 2007 at 8:41 am
[...] Whip Up’s Stickin it to the Pincushion [...]
December 1st, 2007 at 7:56 am
This is a great pincushion, lovely and easy.
December 1st, 2007 at 7:57 am
This is a great pincushion, lovely and easy
January 9th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
What an awesome tutorial! Thank you so much!
January 14th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Great tut! A few times I pulled the emb. thread too hard & it broke so I had to restart that step. Here is a pic of my finished pincushion.
http://basilbush.blogspot.com/2008/01/stick-it-to-man-make-your-own-pincusion.html
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Thank you so much for the tutorial. I’ve always liked pincushions like these, but figured they we’re too difficult to make. They’re not :)
I just posted a pic of the pincushions I made using your tutorial.
Thank you again
January 23rd, 2008 at 3:56 am
they remind me of patty pan squash
January 23rd, 2008 at 4:54 pm
[...] saw this wonderful tutorial on the internet for a super easy pin cushion and I could not resist. I’ve used a little [...]
March 15th, 2008 at 2:03 am
What a great tutorial! I’ve always wanted to make my own fun and funky pin cusion, and not use one of those little tomato thingys anymore!
April 4th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Great!! Thanks so much. I stumbled across your site and love it! Just made this cute little cushion while my toddler was napping. So quick, so easy and so satisfying. I will be ditching my little tomato thingy too!
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:12 pm
I just came across your tutorial and I love it! Thank you so much for posting your instructions, they are so adorable!
June 19th, 2008 at 4:28 am
[...] up a quick one so used the tutorial I saw at both Turkey Feathers and Coyote Craft which came from here originally. This is the baby blue furry felt [...]
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:50 pm
[...] And I even found some tutorials. (covered buttons. pincushion.) [...]
August 7th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Gracias por el tutorial, realmente estoy feliz de poder hacer mi pincushion.
Nori - Chile
August 30th, 2008 at 1:13 am
[...] These pin cushion medals were perfect. They were cute, functional (great for T-pins), and incorporated the Oriental theme from Olympics 2008. We found the pattern instructions here. [...]
August 31st, 2008 at 12:02 am
[...] sewed it up. The bottom part is wool made the same way as these. I used inspiration from this tutorial. [...]
September 5th, 2008 at 5:18 am
[...] P.S. The tutorial is here. [...]
September 16th, 2008 at 9:31 am
[...] Be sure to check out Michelle Engel Bencsko’s post today about indie textile designers for some ideas on fabric choices for this Tutorial Tuesday project…a fabric pincushion I found over at Whip Up. [...]