I would like to thank Madame Samm for spearheading (or is it pin heading?) this hop and a big thank you to Kristen for being our head cheerleader. Please be sure to visit these sites I am sharing the day with:
When I signed up for this hop I did a bit of a - duh- as I have a few pin cushions (lovingly made for me), but they are for looks - I use pin boxes. So I fell back on my childhood for inspiration.
When I signed up for this hop I did a bit of a - duh- as I have a few pin cushions (lovingly made for me), but they are for looks - I use pin boxes. So I fell back on my childhood for inspiration.
Yes, back in my youth and the 4-H program where we were taught a lot of hand work. We had to make our own pincushion to put in our (handmade) sewing box to bring to each meeting - with all of our supplies. So I am sharing this project with you - and the true size of these...........
Yes, soda bottle caps! The nice heavy, taller ones - which for some reason I have a few baggies of. First we need to make our own templates - I used poster board, but card stock or even a recycled cereal box will do - must be sturdy to handle the tracing. Our base template, You need to use your cap and trace the bottom - flip to it's side and trace around - then add a 1/4".
These are your three templates. From the bottom template you will need to trace on your fabric for eight (8) petals. One (1) of the largest template for the base. And the bottom with added 1/4" , you need one (1) for the flower center. Easy peasy and working right out of the scrap bin.
First you need to prep your petals. Like making prairie points, fold in half and press and then fold in half again, press. I used a small craft iron, so if you are using a large iron, be careful of your fingers!
Now pin your petals evenly around your base, right sides facing. There will be a little space between them, but this will not show when we baste and tighten up.
Use a heavy thread - I used quilting thread, but carpet or button hole thread will work well. Knot one end and just do a large baste just a little less than a 1/4" from the edge, catching those petals all the way around. You can see I managed three (3) stitches a petal and skipped the space inbetween.
Slowly pull your basting and spread the 'crinkling of the petals' evenly around until there is just room to insert the bottle cap.
Pull up tight so the baste edge pulls over the edge of the bottle cap. Knot your thread off while keeping your work tight - yes, this is a little hard the first time - but these are like potato chips, you can't make just one and you get better at this. Fluff your petals up and out.
You are going to need two of your templates for this step. Your template with the 1/4" seam for the flower center - trace onto your fabric (wrongside) and cut out. And you are going to need your bottom little template used for the petals.
Use a matching thread - I used a white so you can see - knot one end and run a basting stitch an 1/8" around from the edge.
Now insert your petal template and pull your basting tight and knot - don't cut thread.
Press on both sides...............
Remove your template and give another press to make sure nice and flat.
Just a tip - I turned my pincushion base upside down and stitched the flower center to prevent that blasted thread catching on each petal with each stitch.
Once you are about 1/2 way or even 3/4 around, add your stuffing. I like to use fiber fill as I am never sure some one may be allergic to nuts for the shell stuffing. And these little guys will stuff nicely with two cotton balls if you don't have stuffing. Finish stitching down the flower center and knot off. That's it!!
And like I said, they are like potato chips. These are for our quilt guild meeting as little gifts for participants in our summer sewing challenge - our interpretation of CHOCOLATE - a little flower cupcake pincushion and a little box of chocolates.
Don't like to work that small - how about a peanut butter jar lid? Use the same method to make your templates.
Or how about a lid off that spray starch can?
The peanut butter lid pincushion I used a steal wool pad wrapped in a thin layer of batt - something to use to sharpen my pins. And the spray lid I put some decorative stones in the bottom (left from my daughter's wedding) for some weight as this would be tippy - then some stuffing, then topped it with a steal wool pad wrapped in thin batt. So any lid can be recycled into a cute pincushion - I did find with the larger lid I needed to add another petal so you may need to adjust a little.
A fun project for your guild, or sewing group, or just as a little gift to tuck in a package.
As a thank you for sticking thru this long-winded post, I have a give away.
A jelly roll of 'Make Do and Mend' by Michele D'Amore for Benartex Fabrics.
I would love to hear what your favorite sewing notion is - new or old. Simply leave a comment, be sure I have a way to contact you (I had a huge amount of no-reply comments on the last hop) and I will ship anywhere. Comments open until midnight (est) Sept 17th and I will announce the winner (and contact them) on the 18th.
Enjoy the HOP,
Sewingly Yours,
Sharon
