Thursday, October 31, 2013

Holiday Headstart Blog Hop: Day 3


It's Day 3 of our Holiday Headstart Blog Hop, where some of our blogging designer friends are sharing  tutorials for gifts you can sew for the holidays (or keep for yourself!). Today our Benartex design team shares a classic pincushion. What sets this pincushion apart? Quite simply, it's in the fabric you choose. A fussy-cut stripe, like the one we chose from Maria Kalinowski's Cool School collection for Kanvas, takes this design from ordinary to special. We'll show you how it's done!


You'll Need:
  • 1/2 yard Cool School small stripe
  • 2-1/2" x 25" black solid strip
  • 2 coordinating buttons
  • Turning tool
  • Clear plastic template material (optional)
  • Piece of paper
  • Fiberfill

Make the Pincushion:
Start with a small stripe--the smaller the stripe, the more detail you'll see on the pincushion. The frequency of the repeat determines how much yardage you'll need--we used 1/2 yard to allow plenty of cutting options. 

To make the triangle template, cut a 6" square from paper. Cut the square diagonally in half twice. You'll use one triangle as a template; discard the rest.

Depending on your preference, you can either trace the paper triangle onto clear plastic template material and cut it out, or simply lay the paper triangle on the fabric and position a ruler over it for cutting. 
(You'll see both options shown below.) 
Either way, cut 4 identical triangles, being sure the base and the tip of the triangle template hit the stripe in the same place on each triangle.


Choose a different spot on the stripe and cut another 4 identical triangles for the back of the pincushion.

Just for fun, showing you the layout of each side of the pincushion. 

Sew 2 matching triangles together along one short side. Check to be sure the stripes are lining up as you sew. Sew 2 more matching triangles together. 

Press seams in opposite directions so they'll nest when you join them.

Sew the 2 halves together, and then join the 4 triangles to make the opposite side of the pincushion.

Trim each square to measure 5". Make sure to line up the seams with the diagonal line on the ruler and check that the 2-1/2" intersecting mark on the ruler lines up with the center of the pieced square.

Pin the 2-1/2" x 25" black strip to one side of the square. Start sewing the strip to the square, leaving at least 1" unsewn at the starting point. Continue sewing the strip to the square, stopping 1/4" from each corner and pivoting before continuing down the next side. 

If you find this pivoting technique to be tricky, here's a tip. Stop 1/4" from the edge of the square with the needle in.

Lift the presser foot and rotate the square and strip. Take one stitch. 

 Lift the presser foot and rotate the strip so the raw edges align with the next side. That one stitch will help you pivot the strip more smoothly.

After sewing around the fourth corner, stop and remove pincushion from your machine. Press the beginning strip back 1/4", creating a seam allowance. Lay the end of the strip down and press so the folded edges match. Trim excess strip 1/4" past this fold.

 Pin the strip ends together with folds matching and stitch together down the fold line. Add the second pieced square in the same manner, leaving an opening for turning. Tip: Press the created "corners" into the black strip to ensure that the second square will line up with the first square. Turn right side out, poke corners with a turning tool, and stuff with fiberfill. Slipstitch the opening closed. 

The finishing touch: Add a button to the center of each side. Tip: Knot a doubled length of thread and pass back and forth a few times to squish the centers in, and then add the button each side. Easier than trying to aim through those button holes right away! 

Finished pincushion side 1:

Side 2:


If you're looking for a different way to use stripes on this pincushion design, check out our "Ho-Ho-Ho, Let It Snow" version. We used the stripe on the side and alternated two prints for the triangles. For a smaller pincushion, start with a smaller square for the template.


The giveaway: For a chance to win a fat quarter bundle, sign up to follow the Benartex blog using either Bloglovin’ or the email feature (both in the right sidebar). Then leave a comment below this post telling us that you are a follower and letting us know if you've ever made a pincushion before (and if you have...how many?). For a second entry, like us on Facebook and leave a comment letting us know you have. This giveaway will be open through Sunday, November 3 at 11:59 pm EST.

Don't miss the other tutorials featured in our Holiday Headstart blog hop:
Day 1: Take Me to Class Tote by Tessa from The Sewing Chick
Day 2: Window Zip Pouch by Emily from Mommy's Nap Time
Day 4: Bold Braid Quilt by Kelly from My Quilt Infatuation


Love It? Share It! Facebook Twitter Google Pinterest Email

87 comments:

  1. I follow via Bloglovin and I've made four (two for a swap, one as a gift and one for me!)... I keep meaning to make more, but I just never get around to it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I follow on BlogLovin but I have never made a pincushion. Thanks for the great tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I follow Benartex via Bloglovin. I've made 1 pin cushion. - A hand sewn Cathedral Window pincushion, that I did in a workshop. Love this stripey one!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I follow on bloglovin and I have made four pincushions - two were a turtle and I never was pleased with the way his legs came out . . .

    ReplyDelete
  5. I follow on Bloglovin. I've made several finger pin cushions and 3 regular pin cushions - only 1 of which is finished! I love your striped pin cushion!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Fun project--I love stripes! I follow Benartex via email.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I follow Benartex on bloglovin. I've never made a pincushion. This one is nice!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I follow via email. I haven't made a pincushion, but this project has inspired me to try!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I follow Benartex via Bloglovin and email! And I don't believe I've ever made a pincushion! But I think I may soon! I love how this one turns out.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have made two pincushions and will be making more. I follow via email.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Have been a follower for awhile now...thru Bloglovin. Love your Site & blog!

    Have never made a pincushion...but on my list for a few Christmas gifts! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've made a few pincushions. Really like this one and am going to try it. I follow by email.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I follow by email. I've made some pin cushions. This one is cute, and a good use of stripes.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I LOVE Benartex on Facebook. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I've never made a pincushion!
    I'm an email follower!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I follow by e-mail. I have made 1 pincushion, a very large one - 6" across - with an open space in the center. Pins and needled get stuck on the outside and thread, safety pins, etc. go in the open space.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I follow Benartex via email. I made two pincushions.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I follow your blog through email,,,and have made more pincushions than I can count--for swaps,,for gifts and for me! Love this pattern and it's on my to-do list now.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I follow via email. I have made 4+ pincushions, square, round oblong and still have not hit upon just the right size - maybe this will be the one! I also like finger pincushions...

    ReplyDelete
  20. Adorable Pin Cushion, Thank You !
    I'm a follower through email.

    ReplyDelete
  21. great tutorial. i am an email follower. Thanks so much for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh yeah -- I'm a FB Fan too -- and I have made a handful of pincushions in the past ! Love them.... Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I am a new follower via bloglovin' and just made a pumpkin pincushion. I love your stripe pincushion and will need to make one of those too.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Following by email. I have not made one, YET. I love pincushions :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great pincushion tutorial! I have made two pincushions so far. I plan on making this one too! I really like the bold colors and the black really makes them pop even more! I've been a follower on Bloglovin for a while now. I really love your projects!
    Dawn
    array-dawn@cox.net

    ReplyDelete
  26. I have already "liked" you on FB! Thanks!
    Dawn
    array-dawn@cox.net

    ReplyDelete
  27. I follow by email and GFC. I have made about 3 or 4 pincushions. I want to make more, but probably not until my Christmas sewing is done. None of my gift recipients sew, so I won't be making pincushions for them!

    ReplyDelete
  28. i am a happy follower via email. i have never made a pin cushion,but will try this one. i love it babscorbitt@ gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. i liked them on facebook, hmm, they should add a love button babscorbitt at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I follow on email and facebook. I haven't actually made pincushions, but have done a lot of other sewing projects.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I follow via email and I've made about 5 different pincushions. My favorite was an owl pincushion, it was so cute.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I also like you on Facebook. I really like both pincushions.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I receive your posts by email. I have made two pincushions, but the ones I use were made by other people.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I am a facebook fan of Benartex.

    ReplyDelete
  35. WOW - day 3 - I love it! Day 2 - I love it! Day 1 - I love it! I can hardly wait to see what's coming next! Barb in BC

    ReplyDelete
  36. Cute project.I following by email.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I haven´t made this one but have made a lot.I love to gift pincushion to my fellows quilter group.we join one day in a week,we are eight ladies.

    ReplyDelete
  38. FB FAN!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. HELLO,NEAT PINCUSHION! YES, I'VE MADE SEVERAL;A FAVORITE IS THE 4"LOG CABIN. THANKS FOR A GREAT GIVEAWAY!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. This is a fab tutorial - I always wondered teh best way to get those stripes to make a square! I have made a tonne of pincushions - mice are my favourite to make with a stone in the bottom to weigh them down (and stop them running away!!!) hahaha

    ReplyDelete
  41. Following with bloglovin. Never made a pincushion. 24Tangent@gmail.com
    Happy Halloween!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I follow you on Feedly! I have made at least 10 pinchusions before. I love this tutorial and I'm excited to give it a try!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Super tutorial, thanks! I've made five already, and I'm not stopping anytime soon :D

    ReplyDelete
  44. I like you on Facebook and follow by email!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I am a follower and yes I have made a pincushion.

    ReplyDelete
  46. IM A Facebook Follower, A Mr B Preview Pack Member And Have Made And Lost A Pincushion Or Two, Not Just The Pins :_-(

    ReplyDelete
  47. And I do like them on FB...cute pincushion!

    ReplyDelete
  48. I'm a follower with Bloglovin'. And I've never made a pincushion. Thanks for the tutorial & the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Liking you on FB too. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  50. I follow on bloglovin. I typically make embroidered pillows.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I have never made a pin cushion, but the square one looks very cute! I follow you by email. yoyopattycakes@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I follow you on Facebook! yoyopattycakes@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I haven't made a pincushion yet but I'm making some for Christmas presents this year. Thanks for the great tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  54. I am already a follower of Benartex blog via email and also on Bloglovin'.

    I have only made one pincushion before and that one was years ago. I love this tutorial because it shows a technique I'd always wondered how it was done. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  55. I already follow you on Facebook as well.

    ReplyDelete
  56. I follow Benartex's blog by e-mail, thank you. And I have made a couple of very simple pincushions from fabric scraps and excess batting.

    ReplyDelete
  57. I am a follower and I make lots and lots of pincushions. I usually stuff with steel wool to keep my pins nice and sharp! Love your striped fabric and your pincushion. So cute!

    ReplyDelete
  58. I follow by email. I made a cup-shaped pincushion. The tutorial I love it.
    Greetings from Barcelona
    Elena

    ReplyDelete
  59. I am a Facebook follower. Have NOT made a pincushion, but will be auditioning fabric for this one soon.

    ReplyDelete
  60. I follow through email and Bloglovin. I've made one pincushion but always have plans for more.

    ReplyDelete
  61. I follow you with BL. I have not ever made a pincushion before but now that I have an awesome tute I might just do that.
    smjohns63 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  62. I already like your FB page, thanks for the chance!
    smjohns63 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I am following you with bloglovin. I have never made a pincushion, but this is the year! Love the use of stripes!

    ReplyDelete
  64. I am following you with bloglovin.

    ReplyDelete
  65. I am going to follow by email. I have not made a pincushion.

    ReplyDelete
  66. following on FB.. I made several Pincushions, one was a cowgirl hat.. so cute.. but I am not a big pincushion person, the more I have the more I cant find when I have it

    ReplyDelete
  67. I have made a simple pincushion before, when I first started sewing, out of need for one. It works and I still use it today. Additionally I have the most darling house shaped pincushion made by someone else, which I also use and it is much nicer than the one I made.

    ReplyDelete
  68. I follow via email and bloglovin' :) I haven't made any pincushions but. have lots of patterns for them. Guess I should get to it :)

    ReplyDelete