First, I want to thank everyone for all the shop love. I truly appreciate all the kind words, support and the orders! Talk about a nice little lift in confidence, which I dare say, was lacking in the past.
Now on to pincushions. A few people have asked how I made these, so why not do yet another tutorial? They’ve been on my mind a lot since I made them. These are fairly easy, take about an hour, and it’s a great way to use up little scrap pieces. I am really loving the mixing of different fabrics.
You’ll need: paper, pencil, 6 pieces of coordinating fabric, 6×6 inch backing fabric, sewing machine, iron, fiberfill, embroidery thread and needle, and buttons.
A. To make the pattern, simply trace a circle (plate, lid) onto a piece of paper. The diameter should measure 4-6 inches, depending on how big you want your pincushion.
B. Cut the circle out and fold into 6 equal wedges. This is an important step, so refold until you have equal pieces. Now, cut out one of the wedges and that will be your pattern piece.
C. Using your pattern piece, cut out 6 pieces of fabric. Iron and arrange.
D. Sew two wedges together, right sides facing together, with a 1/8-1/4 inch seam allowance. I use 1/8 inch seam allowance for this. Whatever you use, be consistent when sewing all the wedges together.
E. Press seams open before (F) sewing on the next wedge. Sew on the third wedge making a half circle. Again, press all seams open.
G. Repeat with remaining 3 wedges. This will give you two half circles. With right side facing together, sew the two halves together down the straight side. Open and you now have a pretty patchwork circle. Don’t worry if the center points don’t meet up. That’s what the button is for (covering that part up). 
H. After pressing all seams open/flat, use your finished circle to trace onto your backing fabric. I used felt for this, but any fabric will do.
I. With right side facing together, sew the two circles together by sewing all around the edge using a 5/8 inch seam allowance. Leave a 2 inch gap for stuffing. Trim with pinking shears (optional).
J. Turn right side out ( wouldn’t this make a pretty coaster?).
K. Start stuffing with fiberfill until you reach the desired plumpness. Slip stitch the open gap closed with regular thread and needle.
You can take it a step further and sew an embroidered chain stitch all around the perimeter of the cushion along the seam or move onto the next step, which is making the “petals” so to speak. There is a great tutorial on Whip Up on exactly how to do this HERE. You would do the same thing for this pincushion using the wedge seams as your guide.
And finally for the center, sew on your favorite button(s), bead or add a small object and your are all done!!
Any questions? Leave them in the comments or send me an email (it’s on my sidebar).
Have a lovely weekend!!
November 17th, 2007 at 12:27 am
Thank you for this great tutoial!!!
)
greetings, lina
November 17th, 2007 at 4:46 am
Love the pin cushion, cant wait to give it a go, I think its the buttons on top that make it so special. I have just added you to my fav blog sites, cheers from Victoria
November 17th, 2007 at 4:57 am
Such wonderful directions! Thanks for sharng!
November 17th, 2007 at 9:15 am
Love the fabric/patterns!
November 18th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
What a great tutorial for something OH SO CUTE! And yes, it would make a cute coaster as well!
)
November 19th, 2007 at 11:40 am
[...] Patchwork pincushion over at Creative Kismet. [...]
November 20th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Thanks for the tutorial! It would make a cute coaster too:)
December 6th, 2007 at 8:21 am
[...] Do you love to sew and have sewing needles of every length and gauge? Do you have a fancy pincushion to store them in, or do you have to prick your finger every moment you reach for a needle? Forget the finger prick, sew yourself a pretty patchwork pincushion. [...]
December 6th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
Gorgeaous. I love fabric…..
December 16th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
[...] December 17, 2007 by creatist I made a few pincushions after reading this and this… [...]
January 15th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
So good idea. maybe it could be into mass production for so many people.
April 24th, 2008 at 8:30 am
I love this! It would be great to enlarge and make it a pillow for a little girls room!
May 24th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
I am teaching my daughter (age 12) to sew this summer. I stumbled on to your shopping bags and got so interested in your website and found this cute pin cushion. Your instructions are very clear. Thanks for sharing. I am amazed. Blessings!
June 12th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
[...] the pattern, simply trace a circle plate, lid … Open and you now have a pretty patchwork circle.http://blog.creativekismet.com/2007/11/16/patchwork-pincushion-tutorial/Phunky Monkey Threads – Custom Patchwork Hippie ClothingHandmade goods and phunky patchwork [...]
September 9th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
how do you a divide a circle in 6 parts?/ really anxious to make this. It’s sooo cute!
December 6th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
[...] Patchwork Pincushion – use your scraps [...]
January 26th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Love this pattern…I am going to use the pincushions for a favor for the ladies at my afternoon tea this year…Have all kinds of scraps to use…
Thank you!
February 6th, 2009 at 10:52 am
thanks for sharing.
February 9th, 2009 at 7:33 am
I have been looking for a pattern for a pincushion just like this. Thanks. Could I post a link to your tutorial in the sidebar of my blog under tutorials?
March 9th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
cute tute! thanks…i think i’ll make one tonight
March 10th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
I made one and it looks good your tutorial was great. thanks
March 25th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
XPECTACULAR DISEÑO Y TUTORIA DIOS LE PAGUE LE PUSO MUCHO AMOR Y PACIENCIA SALUDOS DESDE ECUADOR GUAYAQUIL
April 30th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
I have made these cute pincushions before but not in patchwork style (not being a patchworker/quilter). Your tutorial is so clear that I am now going to make my first one as I have always admired patchwork ones but was not brave enough to try it out on my own! Thanks so much!!!
June 30th, 2009 at 7:54 am
Love the tutorial. Just had to make one! Thanks for the great instructions and photos. You can see a picture of mine on my blog. http://yarnbox.blogspot.com/
July 20th, 2009 at 2:09 am
thanks for this great tutorial !
August 1st, 2009 at 4:46 am
[...] Patchwork Pincushion Tutorial [...]
August 24th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Realy I love this,seguro q lo hago ahora!!!I make one now!!!thanks for share.sorry for my ingles
September 7th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
hi… I luv ure Blog… Thx for Share
God Bless
September 28th, 2009 at 10:02 am
this is simple and lovely! win win. thanks for the tutorial!
September 28th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
gonna have to make this.
November 20th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Adorable, sweet, cute, lovely and a God send. Thank you, thank you, thank you, and muchos gracias :}.
November 25th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Hola: Precioso el alfiletero!! Gracias por compartir este tutorial!!
November 29th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Hi, I just got my first sewing machine yesterday, and this was my first ever project! Turned out lovely, thanks to your fantastic instructions. Though I am gonna have to practise sewing in circles!
January 21st, 2010 at 6:35 am
Very nice. A mama showed one on sewingmamas with a link. I can’t wait to make one myself.