Flower Pincushion -- my avatar
 

So many of you asked if I could share the pattern for this pincushion that I had used as my avatar, but I had taken a free class at my LQS – yes, free! Imagine that!

We made the pincushion as we went along as per her instructions, and when I got home I should have written down what she told us to do, but unfortunately I did not. So I have tried to recreate the instructions without taking my pincushion apart, and I think it worked out great. The original did not have as many petals as I have made on this new one, as I always thought the original looked a bit skimpy. And if you look at my old, she had us use the largest petal color for the center. Here, I used a third petal color. I used batiks but you use any fabrics you love. Hopefully my photos will show enough detail.

The only tools you will need are a needle and strong thread, and a glue gun. No machine sewing! This is so quick and easy.
So, what you need is:
A piece of lightweight cardboard or plastic 3” in diameter.
A green for the leaves.
3 petal colors if you want to use my new way, or 2 colors if making it like the original.
A 4” circle template for cutting the leaves and petals, and a 6” circle template for cutting the stuffed pincushion part.
Small amount of batting, or scrap fabric, or ground walnut to stuff the center.

From the green, cut 7 circles 4” in diameter for the leaves. Cut an additional green 4” circle for the base.
From the outer circle of petals, cut 6 circles 4” in diameter.
From the inner circle of petals, cut 5 circles 4” in diameter.
From the 3rd petal fabric OR the outer petal fabric, cut one circle 5-1/2” in diameter.

Take 7 green circles, fold in quarter, and baste a running stitch along the edge, about ¼” in from the edge, and about ¼” apart. Always start at the same side (I began at the folded edge) so the petals will “cup” in the same upward direction.
Repeat with the 6 outer petal fabric.
Repeat with the 5 inner petal fabric.

Using your glue gun, cover the 3” cardboard circle with the leftover 4” circle of green. Now, gather the green leaves to just fit inside the base, tie off, adjust gathers to be evenly spaced, have the cup side facing up, and glue into place.
In the same manner, gather the 6 outer petals, gather to fit just inside of the green petals and glue. Gather the 5 inner petals to fit just inside the outer petals and glue.

Gather the 5-1/2” circle for the center, stuff with your choice of stuffing materials, gather up, keep stuffing and poking until the ball is nicely shaped and stuffed full. Tightly tie off the gathers. Glue in the center of the petals. (I should have tied mine tighter.)

That’s it, you’re done! Hopefully, you will post pictures of your pincushions so I can see what you have made. Hope you enjoy my little project.

Now that I look closely at the finished pincusion, I wish I had used more of a contrast between the two rows of flower petals. Looking at the fabrics, I thought there would be plenty of contrast. But I was wrong.

Darling. Thank you.

i think it looks great that way. it is so cute. thank you for sharing.

Thanks you soooo much Judy.. Have a few UFO's to complete then I can tackle these little beauties..... Very nice tute !!!

Thanks for the tute. I might have to make a few of these to share.

just in time... my LQS is hosting a pincusion swap this coming Sunday...kind of like a Yankee swap where you can steal and your pattern will be a perfect one for me to make!

Thank you Judy. I was one of the ones that ask how it was made. I hope I can find time to try it this week. Oh they are so cute. I love the batiks too. Have a great day.

Thanks for creating this tutorial Judy - it's terrific! Bookmarking it to try sometime. I think your flower is very pretty with the fabrics gradually changing in color instead of a big contrast.

thanks for taking the time to share the tut

Seeing as how I don't have a pincushion, I'll get one made today. Maybe this evening in front of the TV.

love it thank you

thanks for sharing

Thanks, Judy --- very clear instructions!

Beautiful job! Thanks for the directions!

From another Phoenix sub burb!

Your directions are wonderful! so clear and complete! Thank You!

Thanks for the great tutorial, I can hardly wait to make 1 or 2....I have always admired your avatar.

Thanks for sharing the pin cushion tutorial.

Very cute pincushion and the tutorial is great. Thank you for taking the time to write it.

cute pincushion thank you

Thanks for sharing. It is really cute.

Thank you for sharing this great tut !!!

Thanks for the tutorial. I want to try this.

This is just to cute, I will have to try this.

Thanks for sharing - hopefully I'll get some time this week to make one!

That is neat - I like it! :-)

Marysewfun

Thanks for the tute. It looks like fun!

Thanks for sharing, I might give this a try.

Very nice. Thank you.

Thank you so much! This is a nice little gift for any sewer.

Judy, when you cover the 3" cardboard circle, do you turn the covered side up or down. I am thinking it should be down to looked finished on the underside but your picture looks like it is on the top side with the peddles added? I will finish this one I've started and post a picture but it is going to be slightly larger as I goofed. I had a new EZ circle ruler so drew my cirlcles with it without thinking the sizes have added seam allowance. Ok that's me, do it first then read the instructions. lol Thanks again for the tut.

That is so, so, so cute. Thank you so much for sharing this project with us.

Wow, I love it. I needed a pin cushion too. You have explained it so well and provided pictures that even I can follow. You're good!

Sew cute, Thanks for sharing.

Finished it. Here is a photo. I am making another one the correct size. [ATTACH=CONFIG]409847[/ATTACH]

Yes, you wnt the turned edge up and the good side down, you put your petals onto the turned edge side.

Good job, Dogwood, too cute.

Thanks Judy. Got the second one made. They are additive aren't they?

I love your pin cushion. It is lovely. Thanks for the tutorial.

Well, Dogwood, where is #2? :thumbup: