Monday, May 18, 2009

Pincushion Tutorial

The part of creativity I enjoy the most is interpreting original work in my own crafting style. I hope you will enjoy my process for creating the most simple form of pincushion that anyone can make and enjoy!

Draw a circle on the backside of your chosen fabric placed on a co-ordinating piece of felt. Sew on your line leaving an opening for stuffing. Fill until there are no puckers when you pinch the pincushion between your thumb and forefinger. Stitch closed the opening.

I use 3 strands of embroidery floss, about 2 feet, thread my needle, and come up through the center of the pincushion from bottom to top. Notice the tail I have left. Divide your pincushion as you would a pie. First one half then the other, repeating from side to side around the circle. I keep the pincushion pinched between my fingers as I go to create tension and pull the thread tightly.

When all of my sections are complete, I come up from the bottom again and thread my button both on top and bottom.

On my last pass, I will go under the button, make a loop, and tie a knot. I will then tie a knot with the tail piece and cut the thread.


Now for the fun part!


I do hope you will enjoy creating a pincushion for yourself!

29 comments:

Chelsea Van Tol said...

awesome tutorial E! :) I want to try the felt rose... so pretty!

BululuStudio said...

Gorgeous pincushion...thanks for sharing!

annemarie said...

I love this pincushion and tutorial - another fabulous project from the fabulous Elizabeth!

Cherie said...

Great tutorial and it is ever so cute - the felt rose is such a great idea too. Thanks!!!

Pieceful Bits said...

Oh my E!! I absolutely am going to make the felt roses. If it is okay, I would love to sometimes add them to my cupcake cottages?
I know I already have a terrific pincushion from you...but I think I will be a little greedy in this case!
Slowpoke is perfect name.

(~~)
Julie

Quiltbirdie said...

Do you attach the figurines in some way? I think your creations are wonderful!

Sandy Shirley said...

I like watching your creative process.

Elizabeth said...

It could not be cuter!

Twyla and Lindsey said...

There is just something about watching a craft project in the works! You did a great job with this tutorial, you made it look easy! I love the little figures you add to the tops. I would love to win it! Twyla

barncat (Lisa) said...

Another adorable pincushion (but they're really so much more!) Like everyone else, I noticed that felt rose too, I'm wondering what could I put one on, I'll definetly remember that.
Just curious, do you buy your felt somewhere locally or online? It's so much nicer than any I've ever seen.

Folksie Linda said...

You are truly amazing.. i love how you worked the little vintage wooden pieces into your pincushion.. i think it is a very creative idea and wish you had an etsy shop!

Kelli said...

I wish you had an etsy shop, too.

Turtles make me think of my mother.

Blessings,
Kelli

Charlie said...

You're so sweet Elizabeth! I have been thinking about making patterns for my pincushions. I'll let you know when I get them done. I love your little turtle pincushion. Don't put me in your drawing. I am lucky enough to own my own "creative Breathing" pincushion and I think I everyone should be lucky enough to win one!!

corry said...

Thank you for sharing this wonderful tutorial Elizabeth. I always did wonder how you attached these little ornaments...now I know, you glue them on!

Unknown said...

Ooooh. I love it!! What a great tutorial. Thanks so much for sharing with us. :)
~Linda

lbestul@msn.com

vivian said...

how cute. I make pinkeeps also, and put my floss on differently.. (I wrap it very tightly around and tie underneath each time around. I'm going to try your way, it makes more sense!
would love to win one of your creations.. or.. if you ever want to do a pinkeep swap.. Id love to do a swap with you!
hugs
vivian

Joanna said...

I love that felt rose idea. I will definitely be trying that out on some little brooches! Thanks for the idea!

Gina K said...

I came across your bog while visiting someone else's. I was totally taken with the pincushion she showed in a pic, so here I am. I can't sew very well at all, so I really appreciate the tutorial. I love vintage toys and findings. Thanks for the inspiration to try something new!!!

macati said...

this is sooooooooooooo cute!!! ADORABLE!!!! thank you so much

Carla said...

Great tutorial E. The cutest pincushion. I have hundreds of those alphabet beads. Now I can do something with them. Really love the roses.

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

What a great tutorial. Thanks so much! I enjoyed reading about Doris Day, below. My daughters LOVE her, too, because of all the D.D. movies I rented when they were young. One year I gave my oldest one 'Calamity Jane' for Christmas so we wouldn't have to rent it anymore. : ) Also, your felt owl is truly a work of art!!!
I'm sorry to be so pokey getting back to you about my tin-can doll wings. In my post, 'Getting Close to my 100th...', you can view the stamps laid out on my table. They came from the following address:
http://www.characterconstructions.com/. Once there, click on Character Constructions, then on Theater of Dreams, and it's set #11. I used their wing stamp on a Bingo card for my wings. Let me know if I can answer anything else.

Elizabeth Fedorko said...

Thanks so much for the shout out, Elizabeth! Your creative voice speaks loud and clear in your wonderful creations. I would be honored to have one in my collection!~~XXOO, Beth

barncat (Lisa) said...

Oops, forgot to say don't count me in the running since I've already won one of you beautiful pincushions, but I'd still like to know where you buy your felt.

melissaczca said...

Hi, Elizabeth,

Your pincushion is adorable as are all of your creations and thank you for the tutorial. I am curious about the wooden figures - they remind me of a lamp and mobile I bought for my baby girl who is now - yikes - 40 years old! Do you thrift them or did you luck into a factory closeout :-)?

Hugs!

Melissa

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

LOVE your pincushion! I have been so inspired by the same as you and have wanted to create my own pincushion as well. I love all of the embellishments!!!! Thank you so much for the tutorial!!!

happy day,
Becky

sweetmemorymakingmom said...

Elizabeth, That is the cutest slow poke I've seen! Loved the tutorial. I am going to have to make those felt roses for mine. I learn something from you all the time. Thank you. hugs, Ellen

Patty said...

I've made several biscornus and had no idea how to tie off my thread when I was finished sewing the second button. Now I know! Thank you so much for that and for sharing how you make your pincushions. By the way, I popped in to get another copy of your bluebird pattern -- I cut out the pieces and somehow lost one and was planning to make a blue bird today. I might need to add a pincushion too. Thanks again! Have a great holiday weekend!

Roslyn said...

Totally adorable!

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