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Making a Pincushion ~ Three Ideas

© Lori J. Seaborg

Ugh, I have to admit it ... I have magnets attached to my scroll frames, and they are my only needle holders. Those magnets sure are convenient, but will I really want to pass them down to my daughter when she is old enough to stitch? No, the black magnets are not heirloom-worthy. I am longing to make a pincushion that truly is worthy of being called an heirloom. If you, too, need a pretty pincushion or want a gift idea for a stitching friend, I have a few ideas for you:

The Arm Rest Holder:

Choose two pieces of pretty fabric (that preferably match your chair's upholstery) and cut them into rectangles, the size that you would need in order to drape the pieces over a chair's armrest. Sew the pieces together with right sides facing, leaving a small opening. Turn the pieces and sew the opening closed. You know have what looks like a flat rectangular pillow. To make a pocket, sew a square fabric piece onto one of the short ends of your rectangle. Finally, make a small rectangular piece that is as wide as the base piece, but about 2" long. To make this piece, sew two small pieces of fabric together, leaving an opening. Turn it right-side-out. Stuff this piece with polyester fiberfill or wool. Stitch the opening closed. You have made a small pillow for your pincushion. Sew the pincushion onto the center of the rectangular Arm Rest Holder. Fill the pocket with your embroidery scissors or gadgets and put a needle or two into the pincushion. Drape the entire piece over the armrest of your favorite stitching chair.

The Heirloom Pillow Pincushion:

Embroider, quilt, or embellish a square piece of quality fabric. When finished with your design, sew a piece of backing fabric onto the embellished square by facing the right sides together. Leave a small opening for turning. Turn the piece right-side-out. Stuff it with fiberfill or wool. Add a ribbon loop for hanging, if desired. Close the opening.

The Bottle Cap Pincushion:

This pincushion is simply adorable! It is made from a tiny piece of fabric, a piece of elastic, and a plastic bottle cap. Honestly, it is much more cute than the list of supplies implies! You really must check out the instructions and photographs at this site: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres... These small pincushions would be wonderful gifts for your favorite stitching buddies. Make a few for yourself and scatter them around the house near your favorite stitching nooks.

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