How to Make a Pincushion Out of Fabric

Make a pincushion to keep pins and needles within easy reach.

Whether you're a hobby seamstress or sew for your line of work, a pincushion provides an important function. These small objects help organize sewing rooms as well as prevent tiny pins and needles from becoming lost. Making a pincushion allows you to customize its look, tailoring it to your taste. It's best to use wool fabric for one side of the pincushion as it provides resistance when stuck with the pins. Select any type of fabric for the other side of the pincushion.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric chalk
• Wool fabric
• Other fabric
• Fabric scissors
• 2 pins
• Standard sewing needle
• Thread
• Wool roving
• Long needle
• Embroidery thread

Instructions

1. Draw an outline of a circle with a piece of fabric chalk onto wool fabric. Trace around an object such as a tin can or draw the circle freehand. Draw another circle the same size on another piece of fabric for the other side. Make the circles large enough to accommodate your needs in the sewing room, aiming for a circle with at least a 4-inch diameter.

2. Cut out the circles with fabric scissors and put the pieces on top of each other with the top sides facing in. Pin them together.

3. Sew a standard back stitch in a 1/4-inch seam around the edges of the two circles. The seam should extend around the entire edge of the circle, leaving a gap of about 1 inch to leave room for stuffing.

4. Turn the shape inside out through the gap.

5. Push small tufts of wool roving through the hole until the pincushion is firm. Secure the opening with a slip stitch.

6. Thread a long sewing needle with embroidery thread, folding it over into two strands. Knot the ends together to secure them.

7. Stick the needle through the center of the wool side and pull it through the other fabric.

8. Loop the piece of embroidery thread around the entire pincushion, pulling tightly. Continue to wrap the thread tightly around different parts of the cushion to create four to eight petal segments, depending on your preference.

9. Knot the thread in the center to finish it off. Sew a button to the center for added decoration or leave it blank.

References

• Stickin' it to the Pincushion; Craftapalooza; 2006