Four Square Pincushion Tutorial

Remember all those pins I bought earlier this week?  Well they needed a home and I was in the mood for a quick finish so I whipped up a pincushion.

It’s just the cutest little thing and trust me the pictures don’t do it justice.  All of the fabric is from the Moda line Scrumptious by Bonnie and Camille.  Kelli and I have made two quilts with this so far and I still have scraps left over…so why not use it to make a pincushion ( true confession:  I was lazy and these were sitting on the cutting table and not put away so I decided to use them)

I figured as long as I was making it I might as well take some photos and write a tutorial so you can make one of your own.

Start out my cutting 8 squares that are 2″ x 2″.  Sew them together to make 2~ 4 patches.

Next cut 4~ 3 1/2″ X 2 3/4″ rectangles for the sides.

Using a 1/4″ allowance, sew them together in a long strip.  Then bring the ends around and sew about 3/4″ down.  Leave an opening that is 1 1/4″ and then sew the rest of the seam.  You will need that opening later so you can turn the pincushion pieces right sides out.

Set that aside.  Now we’re going to make 2 pieces of piping that are 16″ long.  If you don’t have a machine foot that make piping…no big deal.  I didn’t use one and even have a foot.  I was just too lazy to switch sewing machines..or find the foot.

Cut two pieces of fabric that are 1″ x 16″.  Fold the fabric in half, slipping a piece of cording in between as shown.  I tacked my piping in place at the end.  Keep you presser foot on top of the cord and sew right along the edge as shown.  Make two pieces of this.

Lay the newly made cording on you four patch about mid way.  Start basting the cording in place leaving the first 3/4″ of cording unattached.

Once you get to the corner, make sure your need is down.  Make a small clip in the piping edge not cutting into the actual cord.  Pivot and sew the next side.  Continue.

Sew around the corners stopping about 1 inch from where you began.

Bring the edges together by taking out a few stitches in the piping, clipping the cord and turning back the edge as shown.  Stitch in place.  Baste the piping onto the other 4 patch.

Now it’s time to attach the sides.  Pin one side in place at a time.  Pull out a couple stitches at each corner as shown.  Sew from seam to seam.  Reap for each side.  Then do the same with the other 4 patch.

You should have this.

Turn right side out using the opening at the side.

You should now have this.  I wasn’t happy with one of my corners so I turned it inside out again and restitched it.

Fill with sand.  I know some people use walnut shells but I have heard it dulls pins.  I don’t know if it’s true…I just like sand anyway.

Fill it full but not stuffed full.  Then take a needle and thread sew the side seam closed.  It needs to be small tight stitches so the sand doesn’t escape.

From there I took two matching buttons and sewed them in place going through the pincushion pulling tight.  I’d show you the other side of it but then you’d see the blood mark where I poked my finger and got a drop of blood on the fabric.  (I am pretending that didn’t happen)

And there you have it…a cute little pincushion ready and waiting to be of service to you.

If you make a pincushion we’d love to share it here on the blog.  Just send me a picture.

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