Tiny Treasures Pincushions

 

My Tiny Treasures book is loaded with miniature hand embroidery designs.  I thought it would be fun to show you some options for using these stitcheries. 

In this post, I'll show you how I used a single design to create a little hexie pincushion.

The first thing you'll need to do is stitch up one of the embroidery designs and create a 1" hexie with it.

Choose 3 coordinating fabrics.

Create 6  - 1" hexies (3 each of 2 fabrics) for the sides.

Create 1 - 1" hexie for the bottom.

I like to use the Hugs 'n Kisses Iron-On hexie papers.  These are ironed in place and stay there after your stitching is complete.  They are firm enough to hold their shape well while stitching.  If you give them a gentle hand wash when you are finished with your stitching, the fibers loosen and they become quite soft.

Instead of hand basting, I use a Sewline Glue Pen.

For more information about the Iron-On papers and the Glue Pen, please see my previous post.

Start by sewing the 6 hexie sides onto each side of the center embroidered hexie alternating between the two side fabrics.

Add the bottom hexie to one of the 6  side hexies.

Sew the side hexies together. Fold them as you go so that the right sides are on the inside of the pincushion.

Continue sewing until all of the sides are sewn leaving 2 seams open along the bottom.

Baste these 4 sides seams.  

Gently wash in warm water and agitate to soften the fibers if you are using the iron-on papers.  

Turn the pincushion right side out.

You can see how soft-looking they are now that they are washed.

This part is optional, but I think it really finishes it off nicely.

Using 50" of a coordinating DMC floss (all 6 strands), and a Kreinik Custom Corder, I made a 10" length of pretty cording.

*The rule of thumb I use for making cording is to cut a length 5 times the finished length I need.

Using 1 strand of the same floss, whip stitch the cording around the top center hexie leaving a 2" tail at the beginning and end.  Tie a square knot where they meet.  Tie a knot about 1/2" up the tails and trim the ends. 

*This could be done earlier in the process, but I wanted to do it after I washed the project.

Sew up one of the open seams leaving just one seam open.

Now it's time to stuff this beauty.

You can use a soft stuffing material or ground walnut shells.  I love ground walnut shells so I went that route.

Keep in mind you need to use VERY small stitches if you use the ground walnut shells!

A funnel is very helpful when filling pincushions.  Keep pushing it in with your finger and fill it as much as you possibly can.

*I buy my ground walnut shells at my local pet store.  They are used for pet bedding.

Hand stitch the final seam closed.

Remove the basting stitches.

How fun and quick was that!? 

You can also add lavender to the filling to make it a sachet/pincushion.

These would make lovely gifts for your stitching friends.  

Please share your finished projects and tag me - KathySchmitz

I hope you like this project!  I'll share more projects using the embroidery designs from Tiny Treasures in the future!