paintmejudy

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 Ό” in from the edge, and about Ό” 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.