Pincushion Tutorial

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Pincushion Tutorial

I have a special valentine’s project for you! A Heart Shaped Pincushion! But part of the beauty of this tutorial is that you will be able make any size or shape pincushion because it is all based on a cookie cutter.

Note: Be sure to read all the written instructions as well as the instructions with the picture mosaics.

Supplies:

Pincushion Tutorial

• one charm pack (really I just use a few charms for this…so a whole charm pack isn’t necessary)

• cookie cutter (clearly I used a heart shaped one…size is your preference)

• Hot Glue gun

• One sheet of fun foam (the stuff in the kid’s craft aisle)

• One sheet of a thin floral foam / Styrofoam (can be found in the floral aisle)

• One bag of Zilla brand lizard litter – crushed walnut shells (one bag will last a LONG time)

Instructions:

Cutting Fabric for the Pincushion

• Pick out your favorite charms and if necessary piece them together to create a large enough piece of fabric for your cookie cutter plus 3″ around. Then follow the directions in the mosaic below.

Pincushion Tutorial

Cutting Foam for the Pincushion

• Use your cookie cutters to cut out the floral foam to fit exactly inside the cookie cutter. Depending on the foam you use and how sharp your cookie cutters are, you may need a little help from a kitchen knife. Then trace around the cookie cutter onto the fun foam and cut out the exact shape of the cookie cutter for the bottom of the pincushion.

Pincushion Tutorial

Pincushion Tutorial

Fitting the Fabric to the Cookie Cutter

• Pull your running stitch slightly to start gathering the fabric and fit it to the shape of the cookie cutter. You will want to shape it so that a small “bowl” is formed on the topside of the cookie cutter/pincushion. Use your hot glue gun and glue the fabric to the inside of the cookie cutter around the whole perimeter.

Filling the Pincushion

• Use the crushed walnut shells to fill the pincushion. Crushed shells create a great weight to the pin cushion and they help keep your pins sharp. The type I used was like a coarse sand. The amount you need will depend on the size of your cookie cutter but I used about a cup for the large one. You will want to hold up your cookie cutter while filling it to make sure that you put enough in to round out what will be the top of the pincushion…that “bowl”.

Pincushion Tutorial

Putting the Bottom on the Pincushion

• With the charm glued firmly in place, there should be no chance of any filling escaping. But we have two more layers to add to the bottom to make it completely finished and polished. First add the floral foam and hot glue in place. I found that the hot glue actually melted my foam a bit, so I used that to my advantage and created a perfect seal around the perimeter. Then I used hot glue on the fun foam and attached it firmly to the floral foam.

Pincushion Tutorial

Finishing Details

• You may find you have a bit of a gap now at the bottom of your pincushion or things are not as tidy as you might like. So make it all beautiful again by hot gluing a bit of ribbon or trim around the perimeter of the base.

Pincushion Tutorial

• Fill with pins and use often! Make them in all shapes and sizes. I made a smaller one for my needles as well. (Although I’m thinking of putting some felt on that one)

Pincushion Tutorial

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and are inspired to make a pincushion for every season. I’ve already bought more cookie cutters to make more!

429 thoughts on “Pincushion Tutorial”

  1. Beth

    First, I want to tell you how pleased I was when I saw that you used the lizard litter instead of just fiberfill. Fluffy pincushions are so unsatisfying (and not nearly as useful as the stuff that helps keep your pins sharp).

    I'm of two minds on the subject of Valentine's Day. I like a day that is all about love, but I don't like the way it can make so many people feel left out, those with no traditional lovey-dovey Valentine. Although I've had a steady Valentine for over a quarter of a century (so old!) I usually put my Valentine's Day energy into reminding the friends in my life how dear they are to me. My sweetheart already knows, and he's not a fan of V. Day.

    Reply
  7. JanetK

    My favorite thing is making Valentine's with my kid(s) for their classroom exchange. I hate when we don't have time for whatever reason and have to buy them instead.

    Reply
  10. Poppyprint

    What an excellent idea!!! Great tute, Angela. I don't mind Valentines Day, but we don't go all out anymore. I usually make something fun (last year sewn cards and envelopes from a SMS tutorial were fun). I'm not a huge holiday decorator other than for Christmas. I'll probably buy the kids some chocolate and some candy hearts, tho.

    Reply
  13. Anne

    Valentine's Day is special for me because my very thoughtful hubby always picks out a huge card and writes a meaningful sentiment inside it.

    Cute pincushion using the pieced charms for the top! I took a class last Friday on making a similar heart-shaped pincushion using a heart-shaped cookie cutter.

    Here's what we did:
    The instructor had purchased wool sweaters at a thrift store and felted them. The overly thick felted sweaters were used to "stuff" the pincushion. About 7-9 stacks of felted heart shapes were cut for the stuffing. Thinner felted sweater pieces were used for the top of the pincushion. We layered 1) outer felt piece large enough to push up into the heart and accommodate the stuffing 2) a piece of batting roughly the same size as the outer piece 3)the stack of thickly felted heart-shaped cutouts. Push all up into the cookie cutter and trim the batting and outer wool piece, leaving 1/4 inch around the bottom of the cookie cutter. The top should mound up like a puff above the top of the cookie cutter. Use fabric glue or a glue gun to affix trimmed edges inside the bottom of the heart. Glue cardboard to bottom and add a piece of no-skid shelf liner to keep the pincushion from sliding around on work surface.

    Reply
  15. Sarah@PingsAndNeedles

    I had a restaurant for seven years. Valentine's day was ALWAYS a total nightmare. Tables of Two were not a great 'earner'.

    And, invariably couples would start off the evening all happy and romantic looking doe eyed at each other … then after a couple of bottles of wine they'd all end up arguing!

    Not a fan of commercialised pappy valentine's day at all. Love romance though.

    Reply
  17. forevermore

    My favorite thing about Valentines is the excuse to do something nice for my boyfriend. I've already used up the embroidered love note idea, thank goodness for the blog hop to get some ideas. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  20. Rose M.

    My husband is pretty much oblivious to Valentine's Day and I will probably get a card (but it will be a funny card). I, on the other hand, am a hopeless romantic who dreams of anything other than a funny card. Oh well, he can't be too bad I guess cuz we've been married almost 37 years!LOL

    Reply
  22. Binks

    I think it has Valentine's Day has been taken over by companies wanting to make money. But I still thinks it's a great "holiday" to celebrate. Live is definitely something we should acknowledge and enjoy. I'm for Valentine's Day.

    Reply
  25. WandaFish

    Love your pincushion! Thanks for the tutorial 🙂

    Me, I'm a hopeless romantic; dear partner is just hopeless, lol. It would be nice to be wined and dined, but not on Valentines when restaurants are full, prices high and service not so good!
    Thanks for the fab giveaway too 🙂

    Reply
  29. ~ Julie ~

    It feels like Valentine's Day every day at our house because my husband and I are so in love! We get teased, but after 25 years of being married I still get butterflies when he calls or comes home!

    Reply
  31. Carrie P.

    Brilliant idea. Love it!
    I have been married for 35 years so Valentine's is not such a big deal anymore. I usually have a guild meeting to go to on that night.
    I usually do get my hubby and kids some chocolates though.

    Reply
  38. Judith

    My HB hates VD, but likes the day after sales on candy. I don't think about VD much as it has become too commercial. Would love to get a handmade card from my husband, though.

    Reply
  42. KatieQ

    I think Valentine's Day is fun for children. Exchanging cards (as long as everyone gets the same amount), and making a craft to take home to their parents is a good reminder to appreciate the people they love. For grownups it is hit or miss. I don't like the idea that people are pressured into making unnecessary purchases, but for some people it is the push they need to remember to acknowledge their loved ones.

    Reply

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