Valentine Pincushion Tutorial

Valentines Day Pincushion

While cleaning my sewing room I came across this Vintage Valentine fabric.  I collect the 30's fabrics and pick them up when ever I find one that is different.  I decided to make a pincushion for a friend, that loves the 30's as much as I do.

First you will need:

5-6 scraps of  fabrics that will be cut into 1 1/4 by 5 1/2  inch strips

one fabric that will be your front and your back.

1 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch square of wonder under.

Cut 6 strips of fabric (these will be the heart)  1 1/4 inches by 5 1/2.

Arrange the strips as desired, with right sides together sew a 1/4" seam.  Continuing till you have sewn all strips together.

Press seams open,

Topstitch, using a decorative stitch or just a straight stitch.  This is where you could get really creative and use some of the fun stitches on your machine and a contrasting thread.

 Cut 2~ 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch squares.

Next cut a 4 1/2 inch square.  Fold in half and make a heart just like you did as a kid in school.  Cut out the heart.

Trace the heart on to the square of Wonder Under. 

Cut out the heart shape about a 1/4 beyond your drawn line.  Press to the backside of your fabric you have chosen for your front.  Now cut a slit in the fabric (staying within the heart)  and cut your heart shape out on drawn line.

Center your design over your striped piece and press.

Using a straight stitch, or one of your decorative stitches, Stitch around the outside edge your heart.  You could use a contrasting thread if you wish.

Now with right sides together of your front and back stitch around the entire pincushion using a quarter inch seam.  Leave an opening so that you can stuff it.  Turn right side out and press.  Now stuff with polyfill, sand or crushed walnut shells.  I always stuff my pincushions with half polyfill and half sand.  Whipstitch bottom closed and you have a charming Valentine pincushion!!  Make sure you use a contrasting fabric, mine blended a little more than I wanted it to, so I added a running stitch to make the heart stand out a little more.

Nadine