A pin cushion has long been a ultiarian piece of art in our sewing box and a project to practice our skills. This easy pin cushion tutorial will guide through how to make this cake-like design. Read on to make this precious puffy pin cushion.
Supplies
Felt makes a sturdy shape for a pincushion while also being the right texture to snuggly hold fine needles or pins.
DIY fabric: Used for the top of the pin cushion. This scrap fabric has an unique confetti texture.
(Learn how to make your own from scraps here)
Felt: For the bottom and top of pincushion
Thread: Cotton pearle, embroidery floss, even finer thread will work as well.
Additional Flair: Tilda buttons shown in photographs. Search through your own buttons and trinkets.
Foam or batting: This is for the sides of the pin cushion. Either will work.
Fabric: Fabric that will wrap around the batting, concealing it for the sides of the pin cushion.
Extra scraps for the top of pin cushion design: Two circles, one large and one small cut from felt. Flower shape (cut from DIY fabric)
Fill: For the inside of the cushion, almost any textile scrap shredded, batting or foam.
Step one: Cutting Pin Cushion Pieces
One thing unquie on the scrap library is that we provide ideas and patterns with open ended dimensions. Our patterns help you know where the “extra” lies, so that you can utilize you scrap pile.
Cut out three circles in felt.
A can from your pantry works as a nice size to trace but you can chose any size circle you are dreaming of. Pair two of the felts together for the bottom. The other will be structure for the top.
Cut out one circle in DIY fabric.
The circle should be the same size as the other three circles. Pair the last felt circle with the DIY fabric.
Cut foam/batting sides.
The foam side strip will be 2 inches wide for a shorter pincushion and 4 inches wide for a tall pincush (both shown in photos). The strip length should be the circumferance of the circle with a bit of extra to cut to size (2-4 inches.) Let the scraps you have inspire you.
Cut sides from fabric to conceal batting.
The strips should be 3 inches wide for short pincushion and 4 inches for wide tall pincushion. The strip length should be the circumferance of the circle plus 2-4 inches extra to fold over the edges to hide the foam.
Creating the Pin Cushion Base:
Baste the batting/foam onto the strip of fabric using a washable glue or pin. Fold the fabric edges around the foam and pin or clip. At this stage you can embroider or quilt the strip or wait until the end.
Attaching sides to the bottom
Begin by using the blanket stitch to sew the side to the bottom.
Continue stitching all around the circle until you nearly reach the end.
Trimming the End
Once you are near the end, pin the foam edge so they meet and cut any excess. Cut only the foam, not the fabric strip.
Then, cut your fabric so there is enough to fold the fabric over the end.
Fold the fabric end over so the foam is hidden. Continue stitching around the circle, without cutting your thread at the very end.
Closing the sides
Using the same thread, continue moving up the side of the pincushion, closing the two sides together using the invisable stitch (ladder stitch.) If you’ve run out of the thread, continue with a new strand.
Design, Attach the Top and Stuff
Design the top of your pin cushion by layering scraps including your DIY fabric before you attach it to the sides. I began by securing the layers of fabric with a button in the center.
Use your favorite stitches to add to and stabilize the design. In the photos, you’ll see I used a blanket stitch to secure the circles in a constrasting thread.
Begin to sew on the top piece in the same fashion as sewing on the bottom to the sides. Stuff the pincushion untill it almost full. When nearly finished attaching, fill the rest of the pincushion and close, continueing with the blanket stitch.
This pin cushion is bound to make you smile sitting on your sewing table. Each stitch adds personality, turning a simple sewing tool into a unquie piece of art. Keep stitching and let your creativity shine with more of our DIY projects for your home and family.
One response to “Free Pin Cushion Pattern with Felt And Scrap Fabric”
Oh this is beautiful! I love your design and I so need a pin cushion too. I’ll have to make some time for this, and now I feel quite urgent about it. Lovely and so useful!