Turn a few of your favorite fabric scraps into a simple and cute pincushion with our free Charming Patchwork Pincushion Pattern.
Today’s project is perfect for using up some of your fabric scraps! I never know quite what to do with all of my scraps, it feels wasteful to throw them out, but at the same time, I feel like I’m buried in fabric at times.
Table of Contents
Aside from donating the fabric (always a great option), you can sort and save your scraps for smaller projects.
About the Pincushion
This simple patchwork pincushion is created from fabric scraps that are 2 ½″ square. The fabrics on the pincushion are fussy cut, which makes it a bit “extra cute”.
As I was choosing which fabrics to use for the project, I thought about trying to tell a little story with the fabrics I chose.
The pincushion is also double-sided!
Since I know you will ask, the fabric is from Riley Blake and October Afternoon. I’m quite sure it’s no longer in print. As I said, this is all about using up some of your scraps!
What Filling to Use in a Pincushion
Many people like to use walnut shells in their pincushions. The shell’s abrasive nature helps to keep your pins sharp, and it doesn’t add extra weight.
However, it doesn’t give you that “poofy” look that you may want for your pincushion. For this reason, I like to use a combination of walnut shells and polyester fiber fill. You can also use lanolin wool if you don’t want to polyester.
Pincushion Supplies
- 8 large scraps of fabric at least 2 ½″ square.
- Fat Quarter of fabric for borders
- One package ric rack
- Polyester fiber fill
- Walnut Shells
- 2 buttons
- Long needle
Instructions
Charming Patchwork Pincushion Pattern
supplies
- 8 large scraps Fabric cut to 2 ½″ squares I fussy cut mine to show off the cute illustrations – fabric is from Riley Blake Designs and is several years old.
- 1 Fat Quarter Fabric For borders
- 1 yard Ric Rack
- 2 scraps fabric each 8″ x 8″ these will not show, use any light color
- 2 pieces Cotton batting cut to 8″ x 8″
- 1 package Walnut shells
- 1 large piece polyester fiber fill
- 2 buttons
- spool Upholstery Thread
Instructions
Step One: Piece the Front & Back
- Sew four of your 2 ½″ squares together in a 2×2 format.Repeat, one of these pieces will be the front of the pincushion, the other is the back.
- From the border fabric cut:4 pieces each 2" x 4 ½"4 pieces each 2" x 8"
- Sew one 2" x 4 ½" strip to the top and bottom of the patchwork piece for the front of the pincushion.
- Sew one 2" x 8" strip to the sides.Press well and trim and square up the piece to 7 ½" x 7 ½".Repeat for the patchwork piece for the back of the pincushion.
Step Two: Quilt
- Next you will want to add some quilting detail to the pincushion top and bottom pieces. Make a quilt “sandwich” with a scrap piece of fabric, a piece of batting then the quilted piece on top.
- Quilt as desired, I free motion quilted some circles, but you can also do straight line quilting with a walking foot.
- Trim your pieces so that your batting all layers are even.
Step Three: Add Trim
- Stitch your rick rack to the edge of your quilted front piece. To do this stitch right down the middle of the rick rack, pivoting at the corners. TIP: Start stitching at a corner so you can hide the raw edges of your trim in the seam allowance.
- Place the quilted front and back pieces together, right sides facing and sew together. Stitch on top of the stitching line you used to attach the ric rack. Leave a 2" opening on one side so you can turn it right side out.
- Turn right side out.
Finishing
- Stuff with a combination of walnut shells and stuffing. Hand stitch opening closed.
- Using upholstery thread, stitch a button to the center of each side of the pin cushion. I find it’s easiest to first do a few stitches to “pinch” the pincushion, then add the buttons at the end.
This post has been updated from a previous version published in 2012.
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Clara {Clover and Violet} says
Cute, really love the fabric you used!
Gayle says
Very pretty, love the fabric.
Christine S says
So cute, thanks 🙂
Federica says
Thank you, Melissa. It is lovely!