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Make a Lucky Pin Cushion for St Patrick’s Day

March 4, 2015 By Lauren at Molly and Mama 14 Comments

I love this Lucky Pin Cushion, because it’s such a pretty way to incorporate four leaf clovers and Saint Patrick’s Day luck into a pretty sewing project. The whole thing is sewn by hand, so it’s a great portable project too. Plus you can never have too many pin cushions. They make the perfect gift!

To create this easy pin-cushion, you’ll need to make a felt four leaf clover, then stitch a fabric yo yo, and finally sew the pin cushion base. It’s then a simple task to put it altogether. And most of it can sewn while watching the tv, or listening to your favourite podcast.

GATHER YOUR MATERIALS

  • a fabric circle with a 16.5cm (6.5″) diameter – for the yo yo
  • green felt scraps (at least 5 inches x 1.25″) – for the shamrock
  • 2 circles of green felt with an 8cm diameter (3″ across) –  for the pin cushion top and bottom
  • 1 strip of candy pink felt measuring 3cm (1.25″) x 25cm (10″) – for the pin cushion sides
  • a needle and thread
  • an embroidery needle and pink embroidery floss
  • scissors
  • crochet flower, button or other embellishment for the top of your shamrock 
  • polyester filling
  • rice or similar to weight down the pin cushion

MAKE A FOUR LEAF CLOVER OR SHAMROCK

Cut four squares of felt, each about 1.25″ or 3cm.

Fold each square in half and cut a little scallop in the top of each piece using small sharp scissors. You’ll end up with two semi-circles at the top of each piece.

Thread a needle with green thread and stitch three small running stitches across the base of each piece of felt. (I used pink thread so that the stitches were easier for you to see).

Gently pull the thread to gather the felt. Secure the felt in place with some extra stitches. I like to stitch through each gathered piece again, just to be sure the gathering doesn’t come loose.

Sew a Four Leaf Clover with Molly and Mama

The Molly and Mama Shamrock tutorial

Your completed four leaf clover will measure about 6.5cm (2.5″ across).

STITCH A YO YO

Now let’s stitch a pretty yo yo (you may also know it as a suffolk puff). If you haven’t made these before, they are super simple. And I have very conveniently included a link HERE to a previous tutorial that explains exactly how to make them.

To make the yo yo used for this project, I used a 16.5cm fabric circle. This made a yo yo with an 8cm diameter. But you can play around and choose a yo yo size that works best for you. You simply stitch a running stitch around the outside edge of the fabric, and then pull the thread to gather the fabric into a puff. Flatten it out and secure the stitches.

a yo yo for your shamrock - St Patrick's Tutorial by Molly and Mama

MAKE THE PIN CUSHION TOP

Now all that’s needed is to use some small stitches to secure the shamrock or four leaf clover to the yo yo, and then stitch a flower or button embellishment on the top. I used a pretty little crochet flower on top, but you can use whatever takes your fancy!

MAKE THE PIN CUSHION BASE

I have already written a super detailed blog post on how to create this type of felt pin cushion base. So if you’re after instructions that cover things with a little more depth, be sure to head HERE.

Cut two felt circles for the top and base, with a diameter of 8cm (3”). I used the same green felt as the four leaf clover. Cut one felt strip for the side of the pin cushion measuring 25cm (10”) x 3cm (1.25”). The shade of pink I chose complemented my fabric and embellishment perfectly.

Gather your pin cushion materials - Molly and Mama

Pin the strip carefully around the perimeter of one circle. This will make the base and side of your pin cushion. I found it easier to pin a section, and then stitch a section, at a time.

Assembling the pin cushion - Molly and Mama

Thread your embroidery needle with two strands of separated embroidery floss in a shade to match the felt. Stitch the side strip of felt to the base using blanket stitch. Continue to stitch around the perimeter of the base until you reach your starting point. You may need to change your thread once or twice.

As a quick refresher, this illustration shows you what Blanket Stitch looks like.

Blanket Stitch by Molly and Mama

Overlap the felt of the side piece by 5mm (and trim away any excess felt length). Blanket stitch the sides together (image 1 below).

Stuff the pin cushion - Molly and Mama

Pin the top circle of felt to the rim of the pin cushion. Blanket stitch the top in place by starting at the side seam. Change thread when necessary.

Stop stitching when you are three quarters of the way around the circle, but leave your thread intact (to continue stitching after stuffing). Fill the base of the pin cushion with a layer of rice. This will add weight (image 2 above).

Add polyester stuffing to firmly fill the pin cushion (image 3 above). Continue to blanket stitch the pin cushion closed (image 4 above).

Your completed pin cushion makes the perfect base for any pin cushion project. And it’s so easy to add our ‘topper’.

PUT IT TOGETHER

Shamrock pin cushion top and base - Molly and Mama

Sew the shamrock and yo yo pin cushion ‘topper’ to the base using small, well disguised stitches. Mine were hidden in the folds of the felt shamrock and in the crochet flower. Once secure, you’re all done! And your pin cushion is all set to take on some sewing pins!

The lucky shamrock pin cushion by Molly and Mama

Here’s another pretty version I made is pastel shades.

Pastel Lucky Pin Cushion

You can also make brooches and hair clips by attaching the pin cushion top to a brooch back or an alligator clip. And surprise, surprise, I have a tutorial explaining how to do that right HERE.

Make a Shamrock Clip with this easy Molly and Mama tutorial

For more tutorials from Molly and Mama, be sure to check out the TUTORIALS tab. The PATTERN store shows all the new softie and applique patterns available at the moment also. Or just pop over to facebook to join the conversation!

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to you. I hope your day is fill of luck!

Happy stitching, Lauren x

This post was written by Lauren Wright and appeared first on Molly and Mama http://www.MollyandMama.com.au

Filed Under: Holidays, Tutorials Tagged With: felt, Four leaf clover, green, Luck, lucky, pin cushion, Saint Patrick's Day, Shamrock, St Patrick's Day, yo yo

Comments

  1. Jessie Stracener says

    March 5, 2015 at 12:26 am

    How pretty! I love the base of this.

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      March 5, 2015 at 11:09 am

      Thanks Jessie!

      Reply
  2. Janine Evans says

    March 2, 2017 at 8:39 am

    I love the pincushion. About time I used some of the hand sewing techniques I have learnt over the years. Now to find some pretty felt and fabric. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      March 6, 2017 at 6:53 am

      Thanks for your lovely comment Janine. And happy sewing, Lauren x

      Reply
  3. Kim says

    March 18, 2018 at 11:01 pm

    Oh my gosh this is absolutely ADORABLE ?, you caught me with the hair pin , then I seen that it could be a brouch( Mother’s Day /church) and a sewing pin cushion to boot ! Hot diggity dog !!! This is AWESOME!!!❤️?Thank you SO MUCH for posting , children’s church activity and brownie troop to help them get their “sewing badge ” I LOVE IT ?

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      March 19, 2018 at 5:52 pm

      Thanks for your kind words Kim!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Make a Shamrock Clip for St Patrick's Day - Molly and Mama says:
    June 5, 2015 at 3:59 pm

    […] And if you’re after something similar, but a little more adventurous, you can sew the shamrock pin cushion using the tutorial HERE. […]

    Reply
  2. Introducing the 'Craftiness is Happiness' Hoop Art Pattern - Molly and Mama says:
    November 12, 2015 at 12:14 pm

    […] you like the pin cushion pictured above too? Pop over HERE for the free tutorial. It’s such a quick and simple […]

    Reply
  3. Lucky Projects for Saint Patrick's Day - Molly and Mama says:
    February 24, 2016 at 10:20 am

    […] can also use the same process to create a pin cushion top. The full tutorial can be seen HERE.  I love this colour combination. Pink and green is my […]

    Reply
  4. Pretty Projects from Recent Weeks - Molly and Mama says:
    October 25, 2016 at 5:00 am

    […] of your favourite images, so of course I had to give it a go. This image is from my tutorial to sew a pretty pin cushion. And these are some of my all-time favourite […]

    Reply
  5. Saint Patrick's Day Crafts - Molly and Mama says:
    March 17, 2017 at 2:03 pm

    […] year, I stitched up a fresh version of my Lucky pin cushion. You can make your own with the full tutorial HERE. I’m loving the delicate pastel shades. […]

    Reply
  6. I learned all about Dilly Bags courtesy of Molly and Mama – I ♥ Joann Fabrics! says:
    January 19, 2019 at 1:43 am

    […] Make a Lucky Pincushion for St. Patrick’s Day […]

    Reply
  7. MHCT&M: Creative St. Patrick’s Day Sewing & Embroidery Projects – A Glimpse Inside says:
    August 22, 2019 at 5:29 am

    […] Shamrock Pincushion  […]

    Reply
  8. Make a Fabric Yo Yo or Suffolk Puff - Molly and Mama says:
    February 9, 2020 at 9:37 am

    […] hair accessories with them. You can use them on all sorts of projects. I even added some to this pin cushion tutorial. Learn how to sew it […]

    Reply

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Studio For Pretty Stitches
🧵🪡 Our fourth week of the #seworderly challe 🧵🪡 Our fourth week of the #seworderly challenge that I am cohosting with Ali from  @arabesquescissors has already begun! For our final week we’re discussing how you organise your projects for SEWING ON THE GO! This might look a little different for you at the moment (depending on where you live) but how and what do you pack to maximise sewing whilst travelling or out-and-about? 

Travel sewing kits are especially applicable for hand sewing projects like English paper piecing and embroidery (even if you’re moving from the sewing room to the couch🤣). But you may also have tips for traveling with your machine and quilt WIPs too, particularly if you have enjoyed sewing on holidays or attending retreats. 

To join the challenge, simply share a public photo showing us how you plan for sewing on the go. Tag us and use the #seworderly hashtag so others can find you. We’re thrilled to see the generosity with which you’re sharing ideas, tips and more! 

Your post will put you in the running to win this gorgeous bundle of three PDF ‘Cathedral Window’ patterns from @arabesquescissors. So cute, right? Please see Ali’s prize post for more information. And don’t forget that we’ll also be selecting a Grand Prize Winner at the end of the month. Good luck everyone! 💗
🧵🪡 Week 3 of the #SewOrderly challenge with 🧵🪡 Week 3 of the #SewOrderly challenge with me and Ali from @arabesquescissors has come to an end. For the past week you’ve been sharing your tips and tricks for storing and organising your Work In Progress (WIP) projects and we’ve been loving reading all the suggestions and seeing all of your photos. 

We’ve selected @kirsty_sews and @mtnlaurel96 as our winners of the Molly and Mama Pattern pack including the #SimpleSewingFolder, #SummerRosePouch and #MissMollyandFriends. Congratulations ladies! 

I’m looking forward to putting together a blog post with some of the fantastic ideas that have been shared this week. Here’s a couple of my favourites. 

-	Small square pastry or cake containers work well for storing WIPs, as do scrapbooking shelves and containers. 
-	If a WIP is something you’d like to work on more, put it somewhere that you’re likely to see, so you’re more likely to pick it up and get some stitching done! 
-	Label each box or tub with the name of the project, the date it was started, the fabrics used, and any other relevant information you want to keep at hand. 
-	@amandalovestocreate shared a terrific tip of adding an adhesive photo of the project to the label! I love that idea!
-	Make a note in your diary or set an alarm on your phone to remind you to check in with your WIPs and their progress. This might give you a much needed push to get stuck into a project you may have otherwise forgotten about.
-	Find a likeminded maker and ask them to become your Accountability Partner so you can periodically check in with each other and give yourselves a gentle nudge to make some progress on your WIPS! 

If you have more ideas, we’d still love to hear them. Ali has put together a great round up of ideas on her blog too. 

Stay tuned as we now share more information about our fourth and final week, with Sewing on the go! 

#mollyandmama #arabesquescissors #seworderly #sewsorted #seworganised #seworganized #sewingroom #craftroom  #craftroomorganization #quiltstorage #quilting #sewingwips
Did you see my posts over at @aurifilthread this w Did you see my posts over at @aurifilthread this weekend? I did an Instagram takeover which was heaps of fun! Pop over to see what I shared. One of the posts included my Top 5 Tips for Embroidery Success, and I thought it was silly of me not to share those tips here too! But really, these tips apply to all sewing. They’re simple but true! 

1.	Choose the right tool for the job. You don’t need to spend a lot of money, but using a needle you can easily thread with the right type of thread for the job, can make all the difference to your experience. 

2.	Start simple. As a beginner, starting a large and intricate design might become overwhelming if only because of the amount of time it will take to complete. Start with a smaller design and move on to more detailed projects as your skills progress. 

3.	Get help from the experts. Watch You Tube videos, read blog posts, enrol in online courses. Over time you’ll develop a whole new skill set that you’ll be able to pass on to someone one day too. 

4.	Don’t rush. It’s not a race, and embroidery is all about slow stitching. 

5.	Leave out your embroidery so you’re more likely to pick it up and continue stitching when you have a spare moment. The more you stitch, the better you’ll become. And it’s a wonderful mindfulness activity! 

#mollyandmama #mollyandmamastitchlibrary #prettystitchesclub #aurifil #aurifilfloss #aurifilthread #embroideryfloss #embroidery #embroiderythread #embroiderytips #embroiderersofinstagram #sewingtips #stitching #handstitching #handsewing #stitchingtips #slowsewing #slowstitching
One of the sewing patterns up for grabs in this we One of the sewing patterns up for grabs in this week’s prize pack for the #SewOrderly challenge is my Simple Sewing Folder. So I just wanted to show you a little more about this pattern in my store. 

Featuring a hand embroidered front panel, little hexie details, and simple patchwork, the cover is all about showcasing the ‘pretty’. 

Open it up (swipe to see) and it’s all about the practical! There’s a lace zipper pocket, tabs for tools, a wool felt needle and pin minder, a thread holder and spaces for hoop storage. 

This folder is perfect for storing ‘work in progress’ projects - the focus of this week’s theme for our sewing room organisation challenge, hosted by me and @arabesquescissors. 

If you’d like to know more, there are links in my profile to my store and my blog. I’d love you to get involved! 

#mollyandmama #seworderly #simplesewingfolder #embroidery #embroiderydesign #sewingfolder #projectfolder #sewingroomstorage #sewingspace #notionstorage #sewingonthego #hexies #hexagons #quilting #quiltedpouch #sewingpouch #tildateatowel
I don’t show my face on here anywhere near as of I don’t show my face on here anywhere near as often as I should. And it’s funny because you’ll have a picture of someone in your head and they often don’t look anything like what you imagine. So for what it is worth, this is me, Lauren. I wanted to say hi and share a bit more about me, as there’s so many new faces here lately. Thank you so much for joining us! 

Here’s 5 facts about me;

1️⃣ My first degree was in Behavioural Science, but I used my second degree in Education to become a primary school teacher. 

2️⃣ After having our two kids, we decided I’d work from home and I’ve been sewing, blogging and designing ever since! 

3️⃣ My maternal grandmother’s name was Molly and my kids call my mum ‘Mama’. I named my business after Molly and Mama in honour of the skills, lessons and traits they passed down to me. I’m so blessed to be able to  share that love of creative expression with all of you! 

4️⃣ My favourite colour is pink. Big surprise there 😂! And I have a love for all things pretty and sweet. 

5️⃣ I love drawing and illustrating and hope to bring more of that to my work in the future! 

I’d love to meet more of you and hear where you are from. Feel free to leave me a reply.  Thanks for your support and encouragement of my little biz. It means the world to me! Lauren 💗
🌼🌸🪡There’s something new and very excit 🌼🌸🪡There’s something new and very exciting coming to Molly and Mama soon! Are you subscribed to the newsletter? Find a link to join in my profile, so you can stay tuned for the release of the ‘Pretty Stitches Club’. It’s all about sharing my love of embroidery, slow sewing and beautiful stitchery🪡🌸🌼

#mollyandmama #prettystitchesclub #studioforprettystitches #embroidery #embroideryclub #stitcheryclub #sewingclub #sewingsubscription #embroiderypatterns #monthlyembroideryclub #handstitching #slowsewing #aurifilthread #aurifilfloss #aurifilartisan #aurifloss #tinystitches #floralembroidery #embroiderywreath
Our Week Three prize pack for the #seworderly chal Our Week Three prize pack for the #seworderly challenge with @arabesquescissors includes three of my @mollyandmama  PDF sewing patterns; the #SimpleSewingFolder, the #SummerRosePouch and the #MissMollyAndFriends pin cushion pattern. 

 Ali and I will each select a winner on Monday, 22nd February, 2021.

To enter, post a photo or video on your public profile showcasing how you store your projects and quilts as you’re working on them or even when they are completed. Tag @mollyandmama and @arabesquescissors and use the #seworderly hashtag so others can find you. 

T&Cs
- the giveaway is open worldwide to participants 18 years and over, with a public Instagram profile, and who post in alignment with the guidelines outlined above. 
- Entries will close at 11.59pm AEST on Sunday, 21th Feb 2021. 
- The two winners will be announced here on Monday, 22nd Feb, 2021 and will need to provide an email address to receive their prize. 
- This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Instagram. 

Thanks so much for sharing the #seworderly love! And you can find out more about these patterns in the store - there’s a link in my profile. The Simple Sewing Folder is a fantastic project folder for embroidery or EPP storage, perfect for WIPs. How do you store your ‘work in progress’ projects and quilts?
Have you been participating in the #seworderly cha Have you been participating in the #seworderly challenge with me and Ali from @arabesquescissors? We’re sorting our sewing rooms for the month of February and have already tackled NOTIONS and FABRIC. 

This week we’re exploring how to store and organise our completed QUILTS AND PROJECTS and those we’re still working on (WIPs). Would you like to join us? There’ll be a sweet @mollyandmama prize pack up for grabs, but more importantly, you’ll be having fun sorting your sewing space knowing that there are likeminded friends joining you! 

Share a photo of your quilt and project storage, tag @mollyandmama and @arabesquescissors, use the hashtag #seworderly, ask questions or share tips and advice. We’d love you to join us! 

#mollyandmama #arabesquescissors #sewsorted #seworganised #seworganized #fabricbundle #sewingroom #craftroom #quilts #craftroomorganization #quiltstorage #quilting #quiltfolding #serioussewistsset #beeapplique #libertyfabric #libertytanalawn #epp #englishpaperpiecing #libertywiltshire
Ali from @arabesquescissors and I are wrapping up Ali from @arabesquescissors and I are wrapping up week 2 of our #seworderly challenge. This week has been a HUGE one, where we’ve focussed on FABRIC STORAGE. We’ve been overwhelmed by the number of you who have wholeheartedly jumped onboard and unreservedly shared your sewing spaces and craft rooms. So thank you and congratulations on the success you have achieved this week; from tidying just a small stash, a basket or a drawer, to refolding and sorting all the fabrics in your entire room! 

So many of you have tackled your yardage, pre-cuts, scraps, fusibles, interfacings, batting and more! And you’ve been so generous with your tips and ideas. So thank you! I’m sure those of you who are yet to tackle your stash will get a lot of inspiration from heading to the #seworderly hashtag! 

We can’t always keep our fabrics in pretty little arrangements like my first photo of Liberty here. So swipe to see my second photo – a more realistic view, taken from the inside of one of my newly organised Billy bookshelves from Ikea. I like to keep my fabrics folded, in plastic tubs, behind solid cupboard doors, so I can avoid sun damage and reduce the effects of dust, pests and moisture. They’re organised by type and size (so yardage, fat quarters, smaller pre-cuts and scraps are generally all separated), then by colour or their use. How do you organise yours? 

I’ll be compiling all the tips and tricks I learned from my own experiences and from reading all of your posts, into a blog post really soon. So stay tuned for that. 

And Ali and I have both chosen a winner for the @arabesquescissors pattern prize pack for this week. Please see Ali’s post to see if it’s you! Thank you so much to all who participated. We’re looking forward to kicking off Week 3 shortly. Let’s explore PROJECTS & QUILTS. Please join us (find out more about the #seworderly challenge on the blog, using the link in my profile). 

Happy sorting, Lauren x 

#mollyandmama #arabesquescissors #sewsorted #seworganised #seworganized #stashbusting #stashstorage #fabricstorage #fabricsorting #fabricstash #libertytanalawn #libertyfabrics #libertybundle #fabricbundle #fabriccontainers #sewingroom #craftroom
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