Hello to my fellow sewing friends! Maureen here, from MadeByMarzipan.com. Today I’m going to show you how to sew this adorable cactus pincushion, using my free pattern available on MadeByMarzipan.com.
Supplies
- Clay pot (approx 2.5 inch)
- ¼ yd green cotton fabric
- Felt scraps for flower (red, white, or pink)
- Hand sewing needle
- Thread
- Sewing machine (optional)
- Scissors
- Straight pins (ball head)
- Rice
- Pebbles
- Hot glue gun & glue sticks
- Buttons
- Free pattern (click here to be taken to MadeByMarzipan.com for download)
Supply Tips:
1) No sewing machine? No worries! You can also sew this cutie by hand.
2) I’m using a 2 ½ inch clay pot that was bought in a pack of three at the dollar store.
3) I also bought these shiny pebbles at the dollar store.
4) If hand sewing a face is difficult for you, you may wish to use a permanent marker instead.
How To:
1) Print and cut out the free pattern (click here to be taken to MadeByMarzipan.com, the download link is above the supply list).
2) Fold the fabric so it’s right-sides together, and pin the pattern face-up on top. Cut out the pieces.
3) Hand-sew two button eyes to the front of one of the pieces. (Be sure to leave enough room around the edges for a ¼ inch seam.)
4) Sketch a small U-shaped mouth between the eyes. Hand stitch a mouth, using a backstitch so you have a line of stitches with no gaps. (To do this, poke the needle up through where you want the end of your stitch to be. Poke down through where you want the stitch to start. Then start the next stitch by poking up where you want that stitch to end. Poke down right next to the previous stitch.) Don’t forget to finish with a knot on the back.
5) Pin the pieces right sides together. We’re going to leave the bottom inch unsewn, as these will be flaps that are hot-glued to the bottom of the pot. Sew around the perimeter with a ¼ inch seam.
6) Clip the seams, notching the curves. Be careful not to snip your stitches.
7) Turn right side out and poke out the seams.
8) Fill with rice. You’ll need to work the rice down into the arm.
9) Sew across the bottom, leaving a 1-inch flap. Backstitch across the entire length to ensure the rice won’t spill out.
10) Spread the flaps open and add glue to the underside. Press into the bottom of the pot.
11) Fill the empty spaces in the pot with pebbles. Wedge them in tightly. You could also hot glue these if you wanted.
12) Finally, I’m adding a felt flower. I cut mine free-hand but I’ve included a template on the pattern for you. I think red would probably be the best choice, but I went with white since I had it on hand.
13) Hand-sew the center of the flower to the top of the cactus. You might want to use a contrasting thread. Tie off the knot on the underside of the flower.
14) Add ball-head straight pins to your new pincushion!
I hope you enjoyed sewing along with me today! For hundreds more sewing projects, video tutorials, and free patterns, visit my website, MadeByMarzipan.com.
Do you prefer traditional pincushions or magnetic ones?
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