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.
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
