Stylish Pincushion Tutorial

I think it is time to share a tutorial for this cute little repurposed candle holder.

This pincushion happened quite by accident.  I was thrifting at our local Value Village and found this cute little chair.

It used to be a candle holder but to me it just screamed PINCUSHION!  So it came home with me and we started its transformation.
I hadn't thought of a tutorial when I started so I don't have a lot of pictures but it is so easy you won't have any trouble.

Here is what you will need:

A holder of your choice
Two small pieces of fabric about 5 inches square
Light interfacing to match
Polyfil (stuffing)
a cute button
Thread to match
Some type of floss (I used crochet cotton)
Needle with a large eye
Marking pen
Fray Check
Hot Glue gun- loaded!

I measured the seat of the chair (base of the candle holder) which was three inches.  I didn't want the cushion to be too high cause then I wouldn't be able to see the fancy back so cut decided to cut my circles
4 1/2 inches diameter.  I used my Olfa circle cutter  but you can do it however you like. Accuquilt Go! die cutter, saucer, free hand, what ever works!

Apply the light interfacing on both circles as per the manufacturers instructions.  I find it really helps with the structure and it makes it easier to pull and push the pins with the added stability.

With right sides facing, sew around the circles leaving a gap about an inch and a half for turning.  I used generous 1/4 inch seams.  Clip your edges and turn right side out.  Smooth circle by using a chop stick (your favourite gadget) to push the seam out completely.  Stuff the cushion to desired fullness and hand stitch the opening shut.  I use a ladder stitch because I don't like the stitches to show but you can whip stitch it if you like.

Find the centre of the top of the cushion and mark it with fading ink. I eyeballed it but you can measure!
Using your floss (knotted) and needle and starting from the bottom of the cushion come up through to the centre mark and add the cute button. Take a few stitches to secure the button.  Once you pass the thread through the cushion to the bottom side begin to make the sections of the cushion by bringing the thread up around the cushion edge instead of up through it. I made six sections, of course you can do more or less. Finish at the bottom centre and knot your floss and cut it.

Since I knew that the chair used to be a candle holder with a spike, I figured that I could push this cushion onto it for more stability. However, I didn't want my fabric to fray, so on the bottom at the centre point, I put a few drops of Fray Check.

Now with the cushion ready it is time for the chair.  After the surface is cleaned (this is thrifted after all) apply a generous amount of hot glue to the seat area.  Then firmly push the cushion down. Not so much that the spike pops through but enough so that it is well in place.

Add a few pins and it is ready to go!

Catch up!

I figure I have some catching up to do since it has been so long since I was last here.  It has been a busy season for all members of my family.  I'll just do a quick update and then I am working on a fun but simple tutorial and will make a new post.  As you know my husband has been battling colon cancer since early this year.  It has not been a fun journey but there are still good things that come out of these types of trials.  We learned a lot about each other and ourselves.  We also learned what incredible children we have, they are such troopers!  He is still doing a few more rounds of chemotherapy but we hope that by Christmas we will be done and looking forward to a new and healthier year.

The kids have started their new school year and as always they run in the Cross Country meet at Hiawatha Park.  It is just gorgeous there this time of year and this year we were blessed with a most spectacular day.  Both kids did very well and what I was most pleased to see was their character.  They cheered each team mate to the end and many other runners that they could see were frustrated or feeling defeated. When their sibling was struggling to do that sprint at the end of the race they both ran to the end with the other and cheered words of encouragement.  Moo came across almost in tears from a cramp and Bean ran beside her until the end and caught her as she collapsed in pain at the end.  When I got to her, he was holding her and telling her what a great race she ran and how proud he was of her for running through the pain and finishing still in fourth place!  When it came to his turn she did the same with him and he had his best finish ever.  He finished in 3rd place and she was telling him how proud she was that he had worked so hard and done so well.  I was a proud Mamma that day!  Nothing makes me happier than seeing my little ones love and encourage each other.

Absolute Determination.

Total Perseverance.

                                                                                                                As for me I am standing in on both school councils and the volunteer committee this year which should keep me insanely busy!  And to top that off, Moo auditioned for the Musical Comedy Guilds production of Annie and got in!  She is an orphan and is loving the theatre group.  So of course when they asked if anyone sewed I said yes, and guess what?  Now I am part of the costuming team!  YIKES!  I am quickly brushing up on 1930's period costumes!  Other than that..... well as usual Christmas is coming!!! So yes, I am sewing like a nut!

In an interesting turn of events I was contacted to do a product review for a scrap booking company and they have also offered a give away so I will be working through the details of that and post about it soon!
Nice to see you all again!
Penny