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Make a Pretty Pin Cushion with a Lucky Four-Leaf Clover

March 5, 2014 By Lauren at Molly and Mama 22 Comments

I have to confess that I’m a little bit addicted to the humble pin cushion! There are just so many ways to make them beautiful! Click HERE to see a few I’ve created in the past. Pop by my Pinterest Pin Cushion Album HERE. And I even have a cute pattern available HERE.

Here’s a simple and sweet pin cushion project that you can stitch up in no time. These make the perfect gift for a crafty friend and are a great way to use up your fabric scraps, and lace and trim remnants. At 4″ x 6″ they’re a handy size, but you can make them in any dimensions you wish.

I’ve added a sweet wool felt ‘four-leaf clover’ (for a bit of added luck). So this tutorial is great for a Saint Patrick’s themed project too. If you’d like make your own four-leaf clover, you can see the tutorial HERE.

Let’s get started.

YOU WILL NEED

  • Fabric scraps for the front and back. I used two pieces measuring about 5″ x 7″.
  • Trim for the front (5″ in length). I used some vintage cotton lace from my mum’s stash, and a left over remnant of pink ric rac.
  • Stuffing. I used hobby fill. Many use soft steel wool as it is great to help keeps pins sharp.
  • Wool felt (if you want to add a clover)
  • pretty buttons, flowers, bows and bits. Use up some goodies from your stash. Try different combinations together to get your prefered look. I didn’t end up using everything I chose in the beginning.
  • Sewing machine
  • Needle, thread and scissors

Gather your pin cushion supplies

Arrange your trims on the ‘right’ side of your top pin cushion fabric piece. Pin them down and stitch them in place on the sewing machine using coordinating thread.

Stitch on your trim

Place your two pin cushion pieces with their right sides together, and pin in place. Stitch a seam around three sides leaving one open for stuffing. I used a 3/8″ seam allowance.

Trim your excess seam allowance with pinking shears or scissors on the three sides you stitched. Trim away the corners (being careful not to cut your stitching). This helps the pin cushion sit neatly. Turn it out the correct way.

Press your pin cushion and press your side seam allowance under. You’ll use it as a guide for hand stitching.

Stitch front to back

Stuff your pin cushion firmly. Use the point of your closed scissors to gently manoeuvre stuffing into the corners.

Stuff your pin cushion

Double the thread on your needle and secure the end with a knot. Using a neat and small ladder stitch, sew up the seam of your pin cushion.

Stitch the opening closed

Now it’s time to decorate! I carefully stitched on my felt clover, crochet flower and ribbon bow with carefully hidden stitches. I then used hot glue to attach my resin flower and diamante button.

Add your adornments

Add your sewing pins and you are all good to go!

Lucky Pin Cushion for St Patrick's Day

SOME EXTRA TIPS

  • Some people love to stuff pin cushions with soft steel wool as it helps keep your pins sharp.
  • You can also add sand to your pin cushions to help give it weight.
  • Use an extra piece of fabric to double your pin cushion top. The two layers on the top give it extra durability.

I’d love to see your pin cushions! So feel free to share your own projects. And let me know if you have some other great tips and tricks for our readers.

Happy stitching, Lauren.

Filed Under: Holidays, Projects Tagged With: fabric scraps, Four leaf clover, lucky, pin cushion, Shamrock, St Patrick's Day, tutorial

Comments

  1. Maggie says

    March 6, 2014 at 4:20 pm

    Reblogged this on MaggieMart and commented:
    I found this gorgeous project while searching for some St. Patrick’s Day Crafts. Enjoy!

    Reply
  2. Maggie says

    March 6, 2014 at 4:20 pm

    Reblogged this on MaggieMart and commented:
    I found this gorgeous project while searching for some St. Patrick’s Day Crafts. Enjoy!

    Reply
  3. swoodsonsays says

    March 12, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    Are those gingher scissors I spy! This is super cute, I like the green and pink combo.

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      March 15, 2014 at 7:30 am

      Thanks so much Swoodsonsays! I must confess that pink and green is my favourite colour combination!

      Reply
  4. swoodsonsays says

    March 12, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    Are those gingher scissors I spy! This is super cute, I like the green and pink combo.

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      March 15, 2014 at 7:30 am

      Thanks so much Swoodsonsays! I must confess that pink and green is my favourite colour combination!

      Reply
  5. vjstracener says

    March 17, 2014 at 10:35 pm

    That is beautiful.

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      March 21, 2014 at 11:46 am

      Thank you! Glad you like it! Lauren

      Reply
  6. vjstracener says

    March 17, 2014 at 10:35 pm

    That is beautiful.

    Reply
    • Lauren at Molly and Mama says

      March 21, 2014 at 11:46 am

      Thank you! Glad you like it! Lauren

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Molly and Mama Makes Pin Cushions | Molly and Mama Makes says:
    March 5, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    […] I also created this pretty little piece with a lucky felt four-leaf clover. You can follow the tutorial to create your own HERE. […]

    Reply
  2. Molly and Mama Makes Pin Cushions | Molly and Mama Makes says:
    March 5, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    […] I also created this pretty little piece with a lucky felt four-leaf clover. You can follow the tutorial to create your own HERE. […]

    Reply
  3. St Patrick’s Day Hair Pin | says:
    March 11, 2014 at 2:05 pm

    […] found this adorable DIY felt clover from MollyandMama.wordpress.com and decided to turn it into a hair pin instead. For this project you will need: needle, thread, […]

    Reply
  4. St Patrick’s Day Hair Pin | says:
    March 11, 2014 at 2:05 pm

    […] found this adorable DIY felt clover from MollyandMama.wordpress.com and decided to turn it into a hair pin instead. For this project you will need: needle, thread, […]

    Reply
  5. Swoodson Says – 15 Craft Room Scrap Busters says:
    August 27, 2014 at 11:47 am

    […] fabric ideas: -Chevron Flag Pillow Cover from Stubbornly Crafty -Toy Blocks from Kelly J Designs -Lucky Pin Cushion from Molly and Mama -Infinity Scarf from Serger Pepper -Kitchen Towels from Sews n Bows -Coffee Cozy from On the […]

    Reply
  6. Swoodson Says – 15 Craft Room Scrap Busters says:
    August 27, 2014 at 11:47 am

    […] fabric ideas: -Chevron Flag Pillow Cover from Stubbornly Crafty -Toy Blocks from Kelly J Designs -Lucky Pin Cushion from Molly and Mama -Infinity Scarf from Serger Pepper -Kitchen Towels from Sews n Bows -Coffee Cozy from On the […]

    Reply
  7. Make a Felt Four Leaf Clover | Molly and Mama says:
    October 19, 2014 at 8:49 am

    […] I used my clover to decorate what I now call my lucky pin cushion! You can see the tutorial HERE. […]

    Reply
  8. Make a Felt Four Leaf Clover | Molly and Mama says:
    October 19, 2014 at 8:49 am

    […] I used my clover to decorate what I now call my lucky pin cushion! You can see the tutorial HERE. […]

    Reply
  9. Make a Lucky Pin Cushion for St Patrick's Day - Molly and Mama says:
    June 5, 2015 at 6:26 pm

    […] techniques, but is sewn on the machine. If you’d like to try it, you can read the tutorial HERE. Or see more Pin Cushion Inspiration HERE on […]

    Reply
  10. Molly and Mama Makes Pin Cushions - Molly and Mama says:
    March 9, 2017 at 10:39 am

    […] I also created this pretty little piece with a lucky felt four-leaf clover. You can follow the tutorial to create your own HERE. […]

    Reply
  11. 30+ the best fabric scrap projects - Swoodson Says says:
    March 26, 2019 at 2:44 pm

    […] Pretty little pincushion tutorial from Molly and Mama; you can also see more free pincushion sewing projects here! […]

    Reply
  12. Fabric, Patterns and Projects in July - Molly and Mama says:
    July 10, 2019 at 1:41 pm

    […] Last year I embroidered this adorable strawberry using the pattern from Lolli and Grace. Anne’s patterns are so detailed and beautifully laid out. I have wanted to use the embroidery for ages so decided to sew up a simple and sweet pincushion. It was a great way to use the panel and make something pretty! I created a tutorial for something similar here. […]

    Reply

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Studio For Pretty Stitches
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I’m so thrilled to be kicking off the #seworderl I’m so thrilled to be kicking off the #seworderly challenge I’m co-hosting with @arabesquescissors during February. Over the next four weeks Ali and I are planning to reorganise our sewing spaces and sort our supplies. If you’re in need of a tidy out, we’d love you to join in! Because it’s more fun if we encourage each other (and there’s some wonderful prizes up for grabs too)!

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After finishing my Summer Rose Pouch, I’m now wo After finishing my Summer Rose Pouch, I’m now working on a simple quilt made with @mabletandesigns new ‘Birds and Blooms’ collection with @pbsfabrics. I think it will be the perfect picnic companion. I love the way Mable’s prints and colours work together 🦜🌼. 

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