Pincushion Tutorial

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. What a great pincushion idea. I'm definitely going to try it. I love Valentines Day because I love reminding my husband/kids/friends how special they are to me.

  2. nice tutorial thanks for sharing

    I love Valentines day but my hubby doesn't get into it too much. guess he is like your husband.

    love to win the giveaway thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

  3. Charming pin cushion!
    As a retired elementary teacher, my favorite part regarding Valentine's Day was when the students excitedly opened their valentines from their fellow classmates! 🙂

  4. I agree with your hubby that Valentine's Day does seem to be an arbitrary, commercial boondoggle. Wow, I'm such a romantic! But my husband and I usually have a nice dinner together at home, and drink a toast from our wedding toast glasses.

  5. Some years I love Valentines Day and can't wait to have a nice evening with my husband then other years I'm just too tired to care. Very cute pin cusion – Thanks!

  6. Love the pincushion!! Thanks for the tutorial! 🙂
    I'm not a big fan of Valentine's either… I think is's a Hershey & Hallmark holiday. Hubby & I long ago decided that we can go out to dinner, give flowers and gifts any other day for way less money.
    Thanks for a chance to win! 🙂

  7. Great tutorial! Mmm. v day is mixed for me. I like the idea of a day to celebrate those we love, but it seems forced. I like it when it's an organic thought or gesture…..

  8. I love your pincushion tutorial. Pincushions are something I collect. I love to make heart shaped cookies on Valentines day. I remember spending the day with my children decorating their hearts.

  9. Thanks for the tutorial! I love Valentine's day… my husband and I always make a point of finding a babysitter and going out for a date night. It doesn't happen nearly often enough so I am grateful for any holiday that makes it 'expected'!!!

  10. Being in a family of a florist, I'm just glad when it's over honestly! lol! It's not a very fun day for this side….sorry to spoil the Love at all! 🙂

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  11. Sorry I'm a bit of a latecomer to this post, if it's still open I'd love to enter too… I hate it when your fave restaurant charges twice as much just because it's valentines day :o(

  12. I like Valentine's Day, but I don't like the long lines at the restaurants, so we usually go out a different day. Thanks for the giveaway! Happy Valentine's Day!

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