The Cube Pincushion
Posted by VickiR on Friday, January 18th, 2013
Hello! My name is Vicki and I blog over at Quilting Lodge. I'm super excited to be able to share my pincushion, The Cube, with all of you today. Seriously. I can barely contain myself!
I do feel the need to warn you that this tutorial is picture heavy. I just couldn't get around sharing a lot of pictures to help explain the process. Enjoy!
Click here for a printer friendly version.
I decided to stray from the "normal" pincushion filler and used a non-traditional smooth foam cube. Don't worry, you can find these at your local craft stores like Hobby Lobby or Michael's and online.
Let's get started!
Fabric Requirements
I used Riley Blake’s Hello Sunshine Collection by Lori Whitlock.
{1} 5.5" square ~ Top of Cube {4} 5.5" x 7.5" rectangles ~ Sides of Cube
{2} 2.5" x 3.5" rectangles ~ Pockets
{5} 2.5" x 18" strips of various fabrics ~ Dresden Fans
1 yard Ric Rac
Rotary cutter, ruler and mat
5" Smooth Foam Cube {available at your local craft store}
Sharp Scissors
Craft Glue ~ Elmer's Tacky Glue works great
Easy Dresden Ruler
Matching thread for top-stitching
∗Read all directions before beginning
∗All seams are 1⁄4” unless otherwise stated
∗High contrasting fabrics work best for this design
Directions
Cut the top, sides and pockets according to the measurements above.
Alternate the Easy Dresden ruler to cut 3 fans of each color from the 2.5” strips. There will be a total of {15} 2.5” Dresden fans.
Trim the remaining strip down to 2” and cut 3 more Dresden fans of each color. There will be a total of {15} 2” Dresden fans.
Fold each Dresden fan in half lengthwise right sides together and sew across the top.
TIP** Chain sew the fans.
Trim the corner of each fan. This will reduce bulk and make a sharp point.
Turn the points right side out and press. Make sure the
seam lines up in the middle of the back. This will
ensure the point is even and not lopsided.
Arrange the fans in 3 groups of 5 for each size.
Sew the fans together. There will be 3 sets of each size.
**The next step is optional. If the Dresden fans don’t contrast enough with the cube fabric you can add a little trim. I used Riley Blake's Cotton Solid in Aqua to make the Dresden fans stand out on my cube.
Cut {3} 4.5” squares and {3} 4” squares
Place one set of 2.5” fans on each 4.5” square. Place one set of 2” fans on each 4” square.
Top-stitch around the points with a coordinating thread.
Next trim the excess aqua away from the fans leaving the aqua behind the fan points. This picture shows the wrong side of the square.
Note** The aqua fabric has a raw edge.
Use a ruler and trim the aqua leaving a 1⁄4”.
The fans should now look like this.
Layout the cube as shown in this picture.
The top of the cube will be in the middle. Place the Dresden fans as shown. The 2.5” fans are together and the 2” fans are together. They are placed on opposite corners of the cube.
Do not mix the 2.5” and 2” Dresden fans. Pin the fans in place and stitch using a coordinating thread.
Stitch close to the fans to “hide” the stitches.
Next add ric rac to the unfinished side of each Dresden fan set.
The ric rac is flexible so it bends easily around the curve. Go slow and ease around the curve.
Trim excess ric rac.
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Pockets can be added to hold notions such as stilettos, seam rippers, tweezers, etc.
Fold each side of the 2.5” x 3.5” rectangle under 1⁄4” and press. Top-stitch across the top {one 2.5” side} of the pocket before you stitch it to the side.
I placed the bottom of my pocket 4 3⁄4” from the top and 1⁄2” from the side. Back-stitch at each of the corners for added security.
Ric rac can be added and used as a scissor holder.
Stitch one end of the ric rac to the side. I stitched it about 1 1⁄2” from the edge.
Fold the ric rac over and tack it in place on the edge with several stitches.
The length of ric rac will depend on the size of your scissors. A long piece of ric rac will make a very loose loop and a short piece will keep the ric rac close to the side. Test your scissors before you stitch it down on the edge.
Lay out the cube once again. I placed my pockets opposite of each other and my ric rac scissor holders opposite of each other.
Assembling the Cube
The most important part of attaching the sides is starting and stopping 1⁄4” from the edge on each side. Back-stitch each time you start and stop to secure the sides. If you do not leave a 1⁄4” free you will have trouble getting the corners to be square.
Sew two opposite sides to the top. For example, sew either pocket sides or ric rac sides to the center square.
This is what your cube will look like after two sides are attached.
Next, sew the other two sides onto the cube.
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As before, start and stop 1⁄4” away from each edge.
All 4 sides have been attached. Time to sew up the cube.
Fold the cube in half by folding the center square in half on the diagonal.
Start sewing 1 1⁄2” from the bottom of each side. It’s easiest to start sewing where I have indicated and sew toward the center folded square. Again, back-stitch when you start and stop to secure the cube.
The 1⁄4” areas that were left not sewn will naturally fold together and you can easily sew them in place. In this picture you can see the corners have folded together neatly and I back-stitched to secure the cube.
The stitches form a 90° corner, this makes the corner lay flat when the cube is turned right sides out. Repeat the above process and sew up the remaining two sides.
It is helpful to clip the corners to reduce the bulk. Be careful to not trim away too much.
Turn the cube cover right sides out and slip over the foam cube. Wiggle it around to get the seams straight. The cover should be pulled tight around the cube.
Glue the flaps to the bottom of the cube.
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Your cube is now finished!
The Cube pincushion is very versatile. You are not limited to using my Dresden design. Any pattern would work as long as the dimensions for the top and sides are the same.
You could simply pick 5 different fabrics and make a cube cover.
You can also make a Baby Cube!
I purchased a 3” x 3” smooth foam cube and simply covered it with 5 different fabrics. I fussy cut a flower for the top and added a button for fun.
If you’d like to make a Baby Cube you will need the following supplies:
{1} 3” x 3” Smooth Foam cube
{1} 3.5” fabric square ~ Top of Cube
{4} 3.5” x 4.75” fabric rectangles ~ Sides of Cube
The construction of the cube is the same.
**Optional: You can glue a non-slip pad to the bottom if your cube slides around too much. Just cut the pad 1⁄2” smaller than the bottom, i.e. 2.5” square for the Baby Cube or 4.5” square for the Cube.
The most important part is to have fun!
I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial. I'm so honored to share my pincushion with you today! I'd love to know if you make a Cube Pincushion! Drop by my blog and let me know!
Vicki
January 18th, 2013 at 9:35 a.m.
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