Archive for ‘Small Sewing Projects’

March 23, 2012

Make your own walnut pincushion.

A couple of years ago, my daughters and I were searching through a little antique shop for a gift and saw a bunch of tiny walnut pincushions.  These were so miniature and sweet that I decided to make them that year for Christmas. Cracking the walnut in half is the most difficult part of this project, but, If you can manage it, the rest is as easy as can be!

Side view of my walnut pincushion
Brief Description: These tiny walnut pincushions make unique gifts. Trifles like these also are excellent additions to miniature collections and novelty boxes.
Supply List:
   1. one cleaned walnut split in half and hollowed out.
   2. tiny pincushion template
   3. scissors
   4. decorative button
   5. small handful of cotton stuffing
   6. a small swatch of woven check or plaid
   7. tacky white glue
Directions:
  • Cut a piece of woven check fabric after drawing around the template provided. (3 inch diameter circle)
  • Sew a loose straight stitch around the edge of the fabric circle.
  • Gently pull the end of the thread in order to create a pouch for the cotton to be stuffed.
  • Stuff the cotton in firmly and sew the edges tightly down around the stuffing.
  • Sew on a button for decoration.
  • Stuff the walnut half with cotton and then glue the tiny pin cushion on top of the walnut.

Top view of my walnut pincushion.

Circular template may be sized to three inches across in a Word Document. Read the Terms of Use before downloading.

March 21, 2012

Pincushion Projects

Above is an antique “hooked” pin cushion that belonged to my mother-in-law.

A pincushion is a small cushion, typically 3-5 cm across, which is used in sewing to store pins or needles with their heads protruding so as to take hold of them easily, collect them, and keep them tidy. Pincushions are typically filled tightly with stuffing, so as to hold pins rigidly once placed. The stereotypical design – a tomato with a strawberry attached – seems to have been around forever but, most likely, was introduced during the Victorian Era.Typically, the tomato is filled with wool roving to prevent rust, and the strawberry is filled with an abrasive to clean the pins and keep them sharp.

Below are some links to a variety of antique pincushions:

Pincushions come in all shapes, sizes and forms:

  1. Martha Stewart’s Homegrown Tomato Pincushions
  2. Fantabulous Pincushion Tutorial
  3. Bitty Dog by Bunny Hill Designs
  4. Square Wrist Pincushion
  5. Baby Food Jar Pincushion
  6. Martha Stewart’s Wool Sweater Tea Cup Pincushions
  7. Folk Art Pincushions from the stitching post
  8. African Violet Pincushion How-to
  9. Ladybug Pincushion How-To
  10. Mushroom Pincushion How-To
  11. Handmade Kitty Cat Pincushion
  12. Small Wonder Pin Blossom
  13. Soda Bottle Cap Pincushion
  14. Square Pincushion Tutorial
  15. Owly Pincushion
  16. Tin Can Pincushion
  17. Pincushion/Thread Catcher Tutorial
  18. Homespun Hearts Pincushions
  19. Busy Bees Pincushion
  20. Dress Form Pincushion
  21. Softie Owl Pincushion
  22. Free Hedgie Pincushion
  23. Wild Flower Pincushion Pattern
  24. Make A Mini-Basket Pincushion – Tutorial
  25. Tiny Pin Cushion Inside a Walnut Shell
  26. Monkeyroom’s Pincushion Tutorial
  27. Pincushion Jar Tutorial
  28. Wooly Brown Owl Pincushion
  29. Pincushion Hangup
  30. Pincushion Wristlet
  31. Flowerpot Pincushion
  32. Thumb Pincushion
  33. Sunny Wrist Pincushion Tutorial
  34. Pincushion Cuff Tutorial
  35. Patchwork Pincushion
  36. Pear Pincushion
  37. Make Do Pincushion
  38. Mouse Pincushion
  39. Bari J Pincushion
  40. Blue Owl Pincushion
  41. Abyquilt Pincushion Tutorial
  42. Wristlet Pincushion
  43. Patchwork Pincushion Tutorial
  44. Vintage Pincushion Sachet
  45. Blossom Pincushion
  46. Felt Spring Hat Pincushion
  47. Crazy Daisly Pin Cushion Pattern
  48. How To Make A Simple Square Pincushion
  49. Amazing Mae’s Simple Pincushion Tutorial
  50. Granny Square Pincushion
  51. Amish Puzzle Ball Pincushion
  52. Teacup Pincushion
  53. Tick Tock Watch Wrist Pincushion
  54. Toadstool Cottage & Mushroom House Pincushion
  55. Bitty Bug Pincushion
  56. Crochet Cupcake Pincushion
  57. Magnetic Wrist Pincushion
  58. Log Cabin Pincushion
  59. Tiny little teacup pinchusion
  60. Pretty Hex Pincushions
  61. Scrappy Armrest Pincushion Tutorial
  62. Strawberry Pincushion Tutorial

My favorite pincushion is a half doll (above) that was given to me by my great aunt. I’ll include links of these prickly beauties below. Some of them have been dismantled. With the price of needles these days, it’s no wonder. One must, from time to time, retrieve the lost and buried just to pinch a few pennies!

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