Selvedge Pin Cushion Tutorial

Before I start I want to add to yesterday's post about the Frixion pens. I got some emails about them....one said make sure you wash it after you iron away the pen. Another said that the blue sometimes still comes back. Make sure you do a test with your fabric and just know that not all markers come out! I am going to give it a whirl but not on anything that is very dear to me.

My guild holds a demo meeting usually every February. It is a chance to have members show other members a technique, how to use a tool or how to make something. This is my demo.

 First you pick out some selvedges and I like to have at least 3/4' of fabric on the edge, you can go smaller but it won't show up as much. I am color coordinating mine but scrappy is good too.

 Iron them, you will thank yourself when you are trying to sew them down, plus it makes them look nice too.

 Cut a piece of scrap fabric (this will not show) the size of your desired pin cushion. I want mine big so I am cutting it 11 x 11. This will be big enough to sit on the arm of a chair or couch without falling off. Whatever size you pick, cut this piece out about an inch larger than yor finished size.

  Cut a strip of fabric 1 1/2" wide and a little bit longer than the width of your scrap fabric. Line the bottom of this strip up with the bottom of the scrap fabric.

 Next place your first selvedge strip on top of this making sure to cover the edge of the first strip with the selvedge part  of the strip.

 Sew right along the edge making sure to catch the edge of the green polka dot strip.

 Continue in the same manner until you fill up the entire square. They don't have to be completely straight, unless that is what you want.

 You will end up with something that looks like this.

 For the last strip be sure that you have ample fabric to cover your square (see the dark blue fabric). You don't want the selvedge right at the top or it will be all stiff when we sew this together.

 Turn the block over and trim it down to your size (mine is trimmed to 10 1/2").

 It should look like this.

 Cut a piece for the back to your size (mine is 10 1/2").

 Sew them right sides together, leaving about 3 " to turn it right side out, and clip the corners.

 Turn it out and press it making sure to press the open 3" edge good, to give you a nice seam allowance.

 I used crushed walnuts shells for a filling, you could also use sand. The crushed walnut shells are available at pet stores in the reptile section!

 A funnel helps tremendously! Do not stuff it too tight, there should be a little give so it will take the shape of whatever you put it on.

 Next stitch the opening close with very small stitches, you don't want this all over your house!

 To make the flower, layer 2 fabrics with batting and just machine quilt a circle and fill it in. Easy!

Cut the circle out, you can adjust it if it is not the right size. Repeat to make 3 more in smaller sizes. 

Next do the same thing to make a leaf. Cut the shape and machine quilt all over it.

Glue them down with some liquid stitch.

 There you go! Below are some that I made for friends in different colors.

Have fun with this!

Kelly