Sewing time! I finally carved out a little studio time to make more pincushions – Yay! Rather than sewing just one or two, I tend to make them in batches of 6 or 8 and set myself up to sew them assembly-line.
I start by pulling out my collection of vintage linens, carefully cutting around the embroidery or designs to showcase them at just the right size. To give them a fresh update, I like to combine vintage with batiks. Here’s the mix of fabrics and linens I chose for this batch.
Next, I add the coordinating batik borders to the linen pieces to create the pincushion tops.
Then square each one up nice and neat.
A coordinating batik is chosen for the backs as well.
Both the tops and backs get a layer of batting before quilting. I typically echo quilt the tops because I find it easy to do without too much thinking. The backs are quilted with a simple crosshatch.
After quilting, I add iron-on labels to the back.
Now the fun part! I don’t do much beading to begin with, but I enjoy a little bit of handwork by adding a few beads here and there to the pincushion tops.
Once that’s done, I sew the fronts to the backs right-sides together, then turn the pincushions right sides out. I leave an opening so that the pincushions can be filled. Push out the corners, and give them a good press. Now they are ready to fill with ground walnut shells.
Ugh! I forgot to baste the seam allowances at the opening before turning and filling, so I just pinned them in place instead. Now to hand-sew the openings closed.
And voila – my latest batch of pincushions. 😉
These pincushions will be donated to the New England Quilt Museum’s store. If you’d like to take one home, stop by the Museum and tell them I sent you!
Now, I’m in desperate need of a new purse, so hopefully that is my next project. Stay tuned!
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