Sprocket Pincushions

 
I took a break from my To-Do list last weekend to make a new pincushion (or 2).  These would make cute little gifts, so I included a quick template and tutorial if you’d like to make your own. 
You’ll need to print the template found at the link below:
 
 
1. Cut out 10 wedges
 
 
2. Use a 1/4″ seam allowance.  Pin and sew the wedges into 2 halves, pressing the seams open, or towards the colored fabrics.  Be careful not to stretch all those bias edges!
3. Sew the halves together. You’ll notice even my wedges stretched slightly during sewing and didn’t line up after sewing…just trim off the excess slightly with scissors to make a nice round circle again.  Press the seam open to reduce bulk.
 
 
4. For the back you’ll need a 8 1/2″ square of fabric.  Cut the fabric in half down the middle.
 
 
5. Now sew the two halves back together…but this time leave a 2″ hole in the center for turning.  Make sure to back stitch really well on either side of the opening so it won’t come apart during stuffing.
 
 
6. Center the top of the pincushion right side down on the backing with the turning hole in the center.  Pin and sew all the way around the edges…no need to leave another hole.
 
 
7.  Trim around the circle with scissors and turn right side out through the hole in the back.  Press.
 
 
8.  Stuff it good and tight through the hole in the back…then ladder stitch the hole closed.
 
9.  Add a button just like I did on the Sprocket Pillows (scroll to the bottom) and you’re done!  Moosh it around good to get the stuffing around the edges and stick some pins in it.
 
 

57 Responses to Sprocket Pincushions

  1. Mein Laden December 6, 2011 at 9:37 am #

    How cute is this???
    I love it!!!
    Miriam

  2. Jamie Lee December 6, 2011 at 10:24 am #

    Lovely! I've never made a pincushion before, but this is definitely on my list. You make it so easy! Thanks!

  3. Laura @ Needles, Pins and Baking Tins December 6, 2011 at 10:37 am #

    So so cute! Love it!

  4. Quilter in the Gap December 6, 2011 at 12:25 pm #

    So cute…how big are your wedges?

  5. Peggy December 6, 2011 at 12:25 pm #

    this is so lovely! I've been wanting to make a pin cushion or twenty and am collecting patterns! Thank you!!

  6. Johanna December 6, 2011 at 12:37 pm #

    How cute! That is going on my to-do list!

  7. PunkiePie (Jen) December 6, 2011 at 12:59 pm #

    So cute!! I made a sprocket pillow for my daughter's bed. Now I can have a little sprocket for my sewing room. Thank you!

  8. Carol December 6, 2011 at 1:19 pm #

    That is really lovely.
    Carol xx

  9. Donna@My Sweet Things December 6, 2011 at 1:23 pm #

    I could use a few more pin cushions. I love this! Super cute and colorful! Thanks so much for sharing this lovely! Have a wonderful day!

  10. Kim C December 6, 2011 at 1:33 pm #

    Too cute! What a quick gift idea too! Thank you!

  11. 2MuchFun December 6, 2011 at 1:42 pm #

    So cute and easy.

  12. Jeni December 6, 2011 at 1:53 pm #

    Seriously cute! I can always use another pincushion! :)

  13. randi December 6, 2011 at 2:16 pm #

    super cute! thanks for the how-to!

  14. Patti December 6, 2011 at 2:17 pm #

    My sprocket pillow is an all time favourite….and now a pincushion!! I'm drooling!! Thanks!

  15. Debbie December 6, 2011 at 2:42 pm #

    darling! What do you fill your pincushions with??

  16. Jamie December 6, 2011 at 3:16 pm #

    I love that you post patterns and tutorials. Great job. More, More!!!

  17. Rosemary December 6, 2011 at 3:42 pm #

    What a cute idea! Would love to make a few as little gifts for the holidays. Sewers and quilters will love this!

  18. toots2u December 6, 2011 at 3:47 pm #

    Cutesy thing ever!! Your sprocket pillow is definitely one of my top 5 tutorials so I can not help but love this pincushion too! Thanks for the directions. Have a great day!!

  19. Di~ December 6, 2011 at 3:56 pm #

    Great cute pin cushion! I love that you used the term "ladder stitch". Years ago I made some items that required great amounts of the ladder stitch. I got good at it! and it's never left my brain!:) A good stitch. I use it a lot! Thanks.

  20. Sallie December 6, 2011 at 5:07 pm #

    Cute! Thanks for sharing!

  21. Michelle December 6, 2011 at 5:17 pm #

    So cute! And I NEED a new pincushion…great timing! :)

  22. Claire Jain December 6, 2011 at 8:48 pm #

    Oh, come on. That is ridiculously cute! I might have to make this for my modern quilt guild gift exchange instead of the felt cupcake pincushion I was planning. Decisions! Decisions!

  23. Kelsey December 6, 2011 at 9:55 pm #

    You are ruining my life, because I don't have time to make this, but now I have to. :)

  24. patchworkdelights December 6, 2011 at 10:02 pm #

    Gorgeous pin cushion. I usually leave a gap on the side but prefer this option. Great tute. Thanks Fi

  25. Glynis December 6, 2011 at 10:04 pm #

    Love all the little bits of fun fabrics you incorporated into this! Thanks for sharing the joy!

  26. Habibti at Home December 6, 2011 at 10:06 pm #

    So cute! I am only bummed that none of my friends sew so they wouldn't be nearly as excited as I would receiving this. :) great tutorial for a quick last minute gift.

  27. Vanesa December 6, 2011 at 11:35 pm #

    Love it! Thanks for sharing! I'm gonna try this.

  28. Becky December 7, 2011 at 12:55 am #

    Great stocking stuffer idea! Thanks! I need to add this to my long list of things to get done before Christmas–mine will be in aqua blue, red and white!

  29. Janelle December 7, 2011 at 1:02 am #

    What a great tutorial! I just made a pincushion and it was easy. Thanks for the great tutorial.

  30. Jayme December 7, 2011 at 1:09 am #

    OMGOSH ALLISON!!!! THAT'S THE CUTEST THING EVER!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!

  31. Dirt Road Quilter December 7, 2011 at 1:43 am #

    Perfect! hank you so much for sharing your pattern. Your sprocket pillows were the first thing I added to my 2012 list. Can you believe I don't have a pincushion? Guess I've been waiting for the perfect one and here it is! May I ask what you used to stuff it?

  32. idzncolumbine December 7, 2011 at 2:14 am #

    Love this, especially the back opening for stuffing-had a big duh moment there. I am in the process of doing bird pincushions but these go on the list!

  33. Miss Sews-it-all December 7, 2011 at 3:53 am #

    Cute, cute, CUTE! Thanks for sharing – love this little pretty pincushion!

  34. Cecilia December 7, 2011 at 5:46 am #

    Very cute! I will be making some of these for gifts. Thanks for the pattern and tutorial.

  35. **nicke... December 7, 2011 at 5:55 am #

    excellent! so cute!

  36. carol December 7, 2011 at 8:22 am #

    it's so so cute!! thank very much!!!

  37. Gayle December 7, 2011 at 8:32 am #

    Beautiful, love it.

  38. mujus December 7, 2011 at 11:40 am #

    This is so cute! Thank you for the tutorial.

  39. Sandy December 7, 2011 at 3:02 pm #

    So cute….I enjoyed making the sprocket pillow, now a mini version!

  40. jmniffer December 7, 2011 at 7:32 pm #

    I've yet to make a pin cushion. You made this look easy and doable. On to my 'to-do soon' list. Thanks for sharing.

  41. Crafty Cousins December 7, 2011 at 9:43 pm #

    Love it! Thanks for the tute!

  42. fiberdoodles December 8, 2011 at 6:03 am #

    Love it!

  43. Sherri December 8, 2011 at 12:35 pm #

    Cute!

  44. Drucilla's Stitches December 9, 2011 at 1:36 pm #

    Thank you for all your wonderful visual tutorials!! I ordered the pattern for the Christmas stocking last year and I'm just now getting time to make one. Without your instructions with pictures I was lost….thanks so much!!!
    Merry Christmas!

  45. b78ayers December 9, 2011 at 3:17 pm #

    Thank you SO much for sharing this wonderfully quick idea – took me about 10 mins. to make and it is adorable!

  46. Tracy Johnson December 9, 2011 at 6:19 pm #

    Cute cushion! Am I the only one that forgets to leave open a hole to turn? I do it all the time.

  47. DEBORAH December 9, 2011 at 8:19 pm #

    Perfect! I just made a pincushion like this that is less than perfect. It's on my blog.

    And I think you're a genius for figuring out how to get the hole in the middle. So I put a link to your post on my blog.

  48. DEBORAH December 9, 2011 at 8:20 pm #

    Oh yeah, the link: http://www.fourlittlemunchkins.blogspot.com

  49. lindaroo December 13, 2011 at 4:15 pm #

    Brilliant to make an opening on the back, instead of along the curved seam. I plan to make one of these for myself, as soon as all the Christmas projects are taken care of…

  50. Purple Quilter Queen December 14, 2011 at 7:03 pm #

    How cute! And what a clever idea for the little stuffing hole on the back! You are a genius! Good luck with the baby girl! When will she be making her debut? Jenn

  51. Melissa Rush August 13, 2012 at 12:01 am #

    I love all of your tutorials! Just finished the sprocket pillow, and really want the pin cushion to be my next project, but I can't seem to open the template on this one. Any suggestions? LOVE IT!

  52. Kathy Davis June 15, 2015 at 11:01 pm #

    Cute pincushion. I have a thing for pin cushions. What did you fill it with and did you pull the button down someway so that it dips into he pincushion?
    Thanks, Kathy
    kdavis1@centurytel.net

  53. dollardidit December 30, 2015 at 9:05 pm #

    Thank you so much!! I love this tutorial! Very easy with the pics and bullet point type of instructions. Also love the colors you use – bright and happy!!

  54. Dawn June 28, 2018 at 6:15 pm #

    Love it and is very cute. I am going to make it as well. Did you fill it with fiberfill or a stainless steel pad. I have read the later sharpens pins.
    Thank you for having the tutorial show up. I was just on another one and it gave me the run around and no directions.

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