A couple of months ago the girls were given a hand-me-down shirt that neither of them were interested in wearing. The print is fun so I decided to keep it for the fabric. It has a geometric design that lent itself well to this pincushion idea I had seen. I didn't have a pattern but it was simple enough to figure out.
First I cut two circles using a drinking glass as a template. I made sure to center the pattern. Next I stitched them right sides together on my sewing machine using a shallow zig zag so the fabric wouldn't fray. I left about a 3/4" opening for stuffing. Using an unsharpened pencil I turned it right side out.
Next I stuffed it with bamboo fill and stitched the opening shut. Usually I don't like the final steps of a project... the finish, but this one is great. It takes just minutes. Using crochet cotton thread (or embroidery thread) I stitched through the middle, around and back up through 6 times, tugging gently after each stitch to create a flower shape. Now I sewed the button on and knotted at the back. I could have been finished like this but decided to go down, then up through the button one more time, tying the long tails in a bow and double knotting so it wouldn't untie.
Next I stuffed it with bamboo fill and stitched the opening shut. Usually I don't like the final steps of a project... the finish, but this one is great. It takes just minutes. Using crochet cotton thread (or embroidery thread) I stitched through the middle, around and back up through 6 times, tugging gently after each stitch to create a flower shape. Now I sewed the button on and knotted at the back. I could have been finished like this but decided to go down, then up through the button one more time, tying the long tails in a bow and double knotting so it wouldn't untie.
Voila! This is a happy edition to my sewing box. I cut out several so I hope somebodies aren't looking...
Joining Natural Suburbia's Creative Friday
Blessings, Debbie
Very, very cute! I love the groovy pin cushion! But I loved the groovy shirt too! Remember when such was simply the cat's meow? LOL!
ReplyDeleteVery cool
ReplyDeleteLike Wow Man, that is one far out pin cushion! I actually think that is something I can make! Debbie, I hope you and your beautiful family have
ReplyDeletea wonderful weekend.
PS- I hope you still want to play as I enjoy our "visits". {next Thurday is carrot day..sorry!}
I love to figure out ways to use remnants of fabric too pretty to give away and often create those remnants from discarded clothes. I wouldn't have thought of this, and I think it is really fantastic! To me, this is a marketable idea. I really love it.
ReplyDeletePsychedelic! Love that fabric:@) I have to chuckle because I find some new fabrics so flimsy that I look at old shirts at yard sales or the Salvation Army to use for projects. Happy Weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute idea. So glad you saved the shirt. It was way too groovy to be tossed aside unused in any way...good save!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this so much, I will now think twice before throwing a used garment away. You did a beautiful job, thanks so much for sharing.Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteSue
Pretty cute! I love working with those crazy paisley patterns. Depending on how you cut it out, the design changes. They are like kaleidoscopes.
ReplyDeleteThe print is perfect and so pretty! You are quite clever making a pin cushion :D
ReplyDeleteYes, this pincusion is certainly groovy...and cute, cute, cute! So now who's clever? :-D
ReplyDeleteMy daughters grab old clothing to use in making yo-yos...the bag doesn't go to Goodwill until they've all had a peek!
Ohhhh I LOVE it! I have been really wanting to make a pincushion and this is REALLY inspiring. [0= Sounds like a fun week end kind of project. (( light bulb coming on [o= ))
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
Blessings!
-Mary
Very cute! Love the fabric (in small doses)!
ReplyDeleteLove it! So cute. And that fabric is really nice as a pin cushion. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is one cute pincushion! I agree with Debbie, this is a marketable item. xo,
ReplyDeleteVery cute, I love the fabric too. I didn't know they were so easy so guess what I am going to make.:)
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I have several friends who sew...maybe I'll make them a surprise! :-)
ReplyDeleteVery cute!
ReplyDeleteYou won my giveaway of the little tins :)
email me!
pcovington270@bellsouth.net
Chuckling. Oh - paisley - how I remember thee. This is a clever project, and the results are VERY satisfying. I think I'm falling in love with pin cushions. My problem with Quilting was always its long term nature - and huge space commitment. Which is why I tended to do wall hangings. And the occasional appliqued pillow case - which is VEVY fun. And I don't knit clothes - all those rows and rows of sameness - I like shape and personality. Now, with Spargo's wild imagination, and your delightful design, I'm thinking pin cushions. Which COULD turn into Christmas ornaments.
ReplyDeleteLove your new pincushion Debbie. They look very easy to make. I'm still using my red tomato pincushion from about 40 some years ago. I don't even remember when I bought it, it's that old. I've had it for so long and it has served me well all these years. I think that you can't have too many pincushions though. JB
ReplyDeleteIt IS groovy, love it!
ReplyDeleteHow cute and creative are you!!!! I love the colors...those bright colors are what I am going to use in my new temporary house...something that is cheerful and makes me smile. You are inspiring!
ReplyDeleteVery clever idea
ReplyDeleteI have a similar one that was given to me when I was a young bride. Now that's a long time ago! Now I finally know how to make one. Love the idea about the Christmas tree ornaments. Maa.
ReplyDeleteDear Debbie,
ReplyDeleteI love it! It reminds me of the shirts I wore back in my Monkees-crazy days!
Love,
Marqueta
Thanks for stopping by my blog:-) Love the colors in your pin cushion. I have made a few of these too but put a yo yo fabric in the middle with a button, those that got them as gifts loved them.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Suzanne
Wow. Now that's just the type of crafting that eludes me. Beautiful and purposeful! Sell 'em!
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
ReplyDeleteGreat pincushion. I love creating things from whatever is on hand. The trouble oomes in when I have "stuff" from this and that and it never gets used for anything! Good intentions and all that. I do paper crafts and lately my daughter and I made book marks from velvet ribbon and jewelry finds.
~Jean
Love your pincushion...and mine, which is made from the same pattern. I won a give-away at A Haven for Vee's blog several years ago...and a pin cushion made by Vee was part of the package that arrived. Thanks for including instructions!
ReplyDeleteHow cute is that!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Dreaming.
Come by anytime.
Who knows you never know when the opportunity to meet fellow bloggers will come by. Keep looking.
Melinda
I have never made a pin cushions -- It doesn't look hard - I'll see -- and when I do I'll make a few too.. thanks for the ideas and the infor,,
ReplyDeleteNow, how adorable is that??!! I love it. I do the same thing with cast-off clothes: save for fabric. Ahhh, the things we do for love...of crafting. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragment recently. Means a lot! Lynn AMothersJournal
Very groovy and easy. Love it!! Clarice
ReplyDeletewhat a great way to recycle that shirt! very cute pincushion.
ReplyDeleteFun! Super cute pincushion! Once it's cut up into smaller pieces the fabric looks really great!
ReplyDeleteThat is VERY charming!
ReplyDeleteI am going to try to make this today! Thank you so much for sharing your how to's. [0=
ReplyDeleteWill post pics if I get it done.
Blessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary
I don't think I've ever told you how much I ogle this little pincushion... it's so adorable. And easy. It's looks very easy to do.
ReplyDeleteI must..