Candy Pincushions
Posted by ShellyP on Friday, August 10th, 2012
Hi, it's me, Shelly Pagliai (Polly-Eye), from Prairie Moon Quilts again. This is my third pincushion for the Riley Blake Pincushion Club. This time I’m using pieces from the Willow line by My Mind’s Eye. I really love these soft colors and would love to make an entire quilt from this line, wouldn’t you?
These pincushions can be made in various sizes, and instructions are given for 4 different versions. However, I encourage you to experiment with lots of other sizes to fit your needs and uses. They’re a lot of fun!
I recommend that you read through all the instructions before beginning.
Here's the printable PDF version for you.
Here's what you'll need:
Scraps of 4 different fabrics for the pincushion bodies
Polyester fiberfill for stuffing
Various pieces of coordinating ribbon to tie the ends with
INSTRUCTIONS
I’m starting with instructions for creating the pincushion bodies first. There are four different versions described. Once you have a body made, you can skip down to the Finishing Instructions to complete your pincushion, as the instructions are all the same for finishing, no matter which one you’re making.
Version 1:
From one fabric, cut 2 pieces 4 1/4" x 6 1/2".
From a coordinating fabric, cut one piece 6 1/2" x 2 1/2".
Sew the larger pieces onto the sides of the smaller piece.
Press the seams open.
Follow the Finishing Instructions to complete your pincushion.
This pincushion finishes 2" tall x 5 1/2" long (the stuffed part).
Version 2:
From each of four different fabrics,
cut 1 strip 1 1/2" x 8 1/2".
Sew the strips together down the long sides to make one rectangle measuring 4 1/2" x 8 1/2". Press seams open.
Follow the Finishing Instructions to complete your pincushion.
This pincushion finishes at 1 1/2" tall x 4 1/2" long (the stuffed part).
Version 3:
From one fabric, cut a piece 3 1/2" x 4 1/2",
and a piece 4 1/2" x 5 1/2".
From another fabric, cut a piece 1 1/2" x 4 1/2".
Sew them together as shown in the picture with the largest piece on the left, and the small piece in the middle. Press seams open.
Follow the Finishing Instructions to complete your pincushion.
This pincushion finishes at 1 1/4" tall x 5" long (the stuffed part).
Version 4:
This is the simplest, and smallest, of all the versions.
Cut a piece of fabric 3 1/2" x 6 1/2". Wasn't that easy?
Follow the Finishing Instructions to complete your pincushion.
This pincushion finishes at 1" tall x 3" long (the stuffed part).
Finishing Instructions
Once you have your pincushion body made, follow the instructions below to finish it.
Press under 1/4" on each short end of the piece. 
Fold under again, another 1/4" and stitch along the edge to finish the raw edges.
Fold the piece in half lengthwise, right sides together, matching edges and seams (if there are any). Stitch along the length with a 1/4" seam, backstitching at the beginning and end.
Press the seam open, and turn the tube right side out.
Cut a piece of ribbon about 9" long. Approximately 1" in from one end of the tube, tie the ribbon around the tube. Tie it in a knot so that it doesn’t work its way loose later.
Stuff the tube from the open end, leaving enough room to tie a ribbon around the other end in the same way.
Tie the other end shut, and you’re all done! Wasn’t that super easy?
I encourage you to experiment with different configurations and fabric and sizes to your heart’s content. Version 4 makes a good one to keep in your travel sewing kit. They would also make good party favors at your next quilting retreat! Make a whole bucket of “candy” and pass them out to all your sewing friends!
Here are pictures of all the various versions I’ve described once they’re finished. Enjoy!
Version 1:
Another Version 1:
Version 2:
Version 3:
Version 4: Isn't this adorable?
I hope you have fun with these. Thanks for visiting my tutorial!
August 10th, 2012 at 4:04 p.m.
August 13th, 2012 at 4:16 a.m.
August 13th, 2012 at 4:21 p.m.
August 15th, 2012 at 10:07 a.m.
August 15th, 2012 at 1:25 p.m.