Pincushion is an essential tool to have when you're sewing. You need them next to your machine so that you won't lose your pins after use. And because of this, your pincushion is most likely to look like a paper between the teeth of a wild dog. For this reason, you need to have more than one pincushion at your disposal. This post will teach you how to make a classic pincushion from scraps of fabric. 

 

Materials Required:

Fabric scraps
Cotton stuffing /sponge stuffing
Scissors
Thick thread
Long needle
Buttons (for classic look)

 

1. Outline on the fabric.
First of all, decide the size you want the pincushion to be. You can draw the circle either by using a compass or by tracing the outline of some round thing.. It doesn't even need to be round; any shape will do the job.
Keep in mind that the size of the pincushion should be appropriate for the amount of stuffing you have. 

2. Cut two fabrics of same size. 

If you are using the same fabric, just pin them together and cut them together. Otherwise if you're using bits and scraps then cut them accordingly.

3. Sew 3/4 with right sides of fabric together. 

Once we've two pieces, place them face to face and sew them all the way leaving one fourth of gap for putting the stuffing. 

Now, pinker all the way through the seam allowance. Be careful not to cut the stitches too.

4. Turn the fabric inside out and start stuffing. 

Now put the stuffing in. Try not to use cloths or fabric scraps for stuffing because it may blunt the pins and also we'll be stuck halfway when we try to create the classic look with the threads later on...trust me.. you don't wanna make the same mistake ;)

5. Seal the opening. 

You can either seal the one fourth of the opening by hand stitching or you can go wild and do a zigzag stitch all over the circle (whatever your shape is) like I did. It is easier (if you're lazy like me) and also makes it more beautiful.

6. Thread and needle work is up next. 

Let's get the thread around the needle and start working on. Try to use thicker thread and appropriate needle. 

Make a knot at the end and push the needle from the bottom towards the centre of the front part. Now pull it out and take it under and out the same holes to bring it back up. Follow the pictures if you're confused. 

7. Add buttons for classic look. 

With the thread and needle out of the front's centre, add the buttons you want for the classy look and also you can show off your vintage button collection. 

There you have it. The perfect pincushion for a few months use ;)

 

If you feel like I've missed anything, please do leave them in the comments. Please follow me if you like my blog and enjoy The Sew Show.

pin cushion pinking pins your own make

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I've recently entered the Sewing World and I'm unfamiliar with many of the tools just like you. There are sewing tools which I know well while there are some which I vaguely know and finally there are ones which I absolutely have no idea how to use.

Of all the sewing tools out there, there are some essential ones. The following tools can help if you are a beginner. They will ease your sewing and give you an almost-perfect results.

1. TAILOR'S CHALK:

Used for: Marking and tracing measurements on cloth.

Pros: Temporary and can easily be rubbed off from the cloth without damaging it. Can be used on the right side of the cloth.
Cons: Easily smudged and hence markings often need to be remarked.
Details: Available in different colours (use light coloured chalks on dark coloured clothes and dark coloured chalks on light coloured clothes for better visibility of markings).

2. THREADS:

Used for: Sewing the clothes.
Details: Available in millions of colours. Choose the thread according to your cloth's colour (try to match them as close as possible).

3. SEAM RIPPER:

Used for: Ripping the wrongly stitched seams from cloth.
Pros: This is definitely the most handy tool you need while sewing. Undo your wrong stitches with this one.
Cons: Seam ripper is quite sharp, so care must be taken (not only with your hands) but also with our cloth as it can easily tear and damage clothes.
Details: Sharp! Sharp! Sharp!

4. PINS:

Used for: Keeping your clothes together till you finish sewing them.
Pros: Another handy tool. Without it you'll find it hard to keep your cloth pieces together.
Cons: Not as sharp as seam ripper, but still sharp. May damage some clothes if not used properly.
Details: Wide range of colours and sharpness to suite your needs.

5. PIN CUSHION:

Used for: Pinning your pins for quick use.
Pros: Will keep your pins at one place without you losing them one after the other. They will also keep your pins from blunting.
Details: Pin-saver...Who doesn't like these fluffy things? You can always make your own and stare at these beauties.

6. SCISSORS:

Used for: For cutting of course!
Pros: Both the bigger one and the smaller one are necessary. Mommy shear is for cutting the cloth piece accordingly while the baby is for snipping threads or small pieces of cloth.
Details: I like to use both, but you can do the work with just one. Using smaller one for snipping will avoid any uneasiness from using the bigger and heavier one.

7. RULER:

Used for: Joining markings.
Pros: An important tool if you are measuring and cutting your cloth instead of tracing.
Cons: Completely useless if you are tracing your measurements.

8. MARKER PENS:

Used for: Permanent markings.
Pros: Your markings will stay on. You can keep your fear of smudging at bay.
Cons: Never use this tool on the right side of the cloth as it cannot be removed unlike tailor's chalk.

9. TAPE MEASURE: 

Used for: Taking your body measurements and also other details.

These are the sewing tools I really recommend if you are a beginner. If you feel like I've missed some important ones, please do leave them in the comments. Please follow me if you like my blog and enjoy The Sew Show.

beginners marker pens pin cushion pins ruler scissors seam ripper sewing tailor's chalk tape measure threads tools

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