How to Make a Felt Rosebud Pin Cushion

The first pincushion recorded in history was in England during the Tudor reign in the 1400s. Pincushions were expensive and considered works of art. No one is certain when the run-of-the-mill tomato-and-strawberry pincushions took over. This little Rosebud Pincushion is a welcome change. It's fun, easy to make and whips up in no time with a minimum of supplies. Make several and give them as keepsake gifts.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Dark green, light green and red crafters' felt
• Cap from a 2-liter soda bottle
• Sewing needle
• Green and red thread
• Batting, a small handful
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Craft glue or a glue stick
• Craft marker, disappearing ink

Cut Out the Pieces

1. Draw around the bottle cap on the red felt and cut out the circle. Measure the circle and cut a second circle from the red felt twice the diameter of the first. Cut a thin strip about 1/8 inch wide to serve as the petal strip.
2. Cut from the red felt a scalloped strip twice as tall as the bottle cap and long enough to fit around it covering it completely. Make 5 rose petals in various sizes scaled to the size of the bottle cap.
3. Measure the scalloped rectangle created in Step 2. Cut out 4 leaves each from the dark green and light green felt that are approximately 1/4 the size of the rectangle.

Assemble the Pincushion

4. Set the small red felt circle on the flat side of the bottle cap. Hold it in place with a dab of craft glue or glue stick.
5. Wrap the scalloped piece around the bottle cap with the long, straight edge butted up against the felt circle. Stitch around the edge of the circle to attach the scalloped piece and form a well into which the bottle cap sits.
6. Stitch up the 2 short sides of the rectangle just to the top edge of the bottle cap. Cut a slit down to the edge of the bottle cap between each scallop.
7. Use a double thread and run a small stitch around the edge of the larger red felt circle. Pull the thread to gather the circle into a cup shape that fits into the center of the bottle cap opening. Knot the ends of the thread securely.
8. Make a coil of the petal strip. Stitch along the bottom edge to fasten it. Stitch the smaller petals to the outside of the coil. Secure the petal coil to the center of the larger red (gathered) circle with a few stitches. Stuff the circle with a little batting.
9. Set the stuffed circle inside the bottle cap. Stitch around the perimeter of the large circle and attach it to the inside of the scalloped strip just at the top of the bottle cap.
10. Sew the green leaves to the bottom of the "rosebud." Alternate the light and dark green leaves. Sew through the leaves with a single stitch and attach them to the sides of the rosebud so that they lift up a little and look natural.