Snowflake Pincushion
Tiny white pompoms and embroidered details give this geometric snowflake pincushion cozy texture. It makes a sweet and simple hand-sewn gift for quilters and other needlework artists.
SKILL LEVEL
Beginner
FINISHED SIZE
Pincushion Size: 43/4" x 43/4"
MATERIALS
• 6"x 10" piece aqua wool felt* • 4"x 4" piece light blue wool felt* • 4"x 4" piece white wool felt* • Six-strand light blue embroidery floss • Six-strand white embroidery floss • 6( 1/4") white pompoms • White worsted-weight yarn • 15/ 8" pompom maker • 6mm jump ring • Size 6/1.80mm steel crochet hook
(optional) • Ground walnut shells or other filling • Basic sewing tools and supplies *National Nonwovens WoolFelt® used to make sample.
PROJECT NOTES
Read all instructions before beginning this project.
Use two strands of floss for all whipstitches and backstitches.
Use three strands of floss for all chain stitches.
CUTTING
From aqua wool felt cut: • 2 background pieces using pattern
provided From light blue wool felt cut: • 4 hexie pieces using pattern provided From white wool felt cut: • 3 hexie pieces using pattern provided
ASSEMBLING THE PINCUSHION FRONT
Refer to the photo and Placement Diagram for all steps. 1. Position and pin four light blue and three white hexie pieces to one aqua background piece. 2. Whipstitch pieces in place with matching floss. 3. Backstitch around center hexie with light blue floss. Maintain an equal distance between stitching and edges of center and outer hexies.
4. Sew six lines of chain stitch with light blue floss from center of center hexie to 1/8" from outer edge. Sew between each pair of hexies, keeping an equal distance from edges.
5. Chain-stitch from center of center hexie to center of each outer hexie with white floss.
6. Sew a white pompom to the center of each hexie.
The ever-popular hexie shape inspired this simple pincushion. Cut from wintry shades of wool felt, the hexies fit together perfectly to make a geometric snowflake.” —Kathleen Berlew
COMPLETING THE PINCUSHION
1. Sew the jump ring to one lobe of the remaining aqua background piece ¼" from outer edge.
2. Pin pincushion front and back wrong sides together.
3. Sew together a scant 1⁄8" from outer edge, using light blue floss and backstitch. Do not sew closed.
4. Fill pincushion firmly with ground walnut shells or other filling. Sew closed.
5. Use pompom maker and follow manufacturer's instructions to make one 15⁄8" pompom from yarn. Trim and fluff to shape.
6. With six strands of white floss and crochet hook, make a hanging cord by working a chain stitch for 7½".
7. Tie ends of hanging cord through center of pompom and knot firmly. Slip hanging cord through jump ring and secure with Lark's head knot.