Patchwork Pincushion

Designer: Brenda Riddle of Acorn Quilt & Gift Co.

• 22 to 24 precut 5" squares assorted cream prints and polka dots (border)
• 4x15" rectangle solid cream (border, pincushion front)
• 5" square solid green (letter appliqués)
• 10 precut 5" squares assorted prints, solids, and polka dots in brown, yellow, green, blue, and coral (pincushion back)
• 4x8" rectangle lightweight fusible web
• 2-5x10" rectangles fusible fleece
• 1 yard 3/4"-wide rickrack: brown
• Cotton stuffing
• Ground walnut shells (filling)

Finished pincushion: 10x5"

Quantities are for precut 5" squares (charm squares) and 44/45"-wide, 100% cotton fabrics. Measurements include 1/4" seam allowances. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated.

Cut pieces in the following order. Click on "Download this Project" for patterns. To use fusible web for appliquéing, complete the following steps.

1. Lay fusible web, paper side up, over patterns. Use a pencil to trace each letter, leaving 1/2" between tracings. Cut out fusible-web letters roughly 1/4" outside traced lines.

2. Following manufacturer's instructions, press fusible-web letters onto wrong side of solid green square; let cool. Cut out letters on drawn lines. Peel off paper backings.

From assorted cream prints and polka dots, cut:

• 18--1-3/4" squares for border

From solid cream, cut:

• 1--3x8" rectangle
• 2--1-3/4" squares for border

From solid green, cut:

• 1 each of letters p, i, n, and s

From assorted prints, solids, and polka dots, cut:

• 46--1-3/4" squares

1. Sew together three assorted cream print and polka dot 1-3/4" squares and one solid cream 1-3/4" square to make a short border strip (Diagram 1; note placement of solid cream square). Press seams in one direction. Repeat to make a second short border strip.

2. Sew together six assorted cream print and polka dot 1-3/4" squares to make a long border strip (Diagram 2). Press seams in one direction. Repeat to make a second long border strip.

3. Referring to Diagram 3, join long border strips to long edges of solid cream 3x8" rectangle. Add short border strips to remaining edges to make pincushion front. Press all seams toward border. The pincushion front should be 5-1/2x10-1/2" including seam allowances.

4. Referring to photo, arrange solid green letters p, i, n, and s on pincushion front. Fuse in place.

5. Using matching thread, machine-buttonhole-stitch with a short stitch length around each letter.

1. Sew together three assorted print, solid, and polka dot 1-3/4" squares to make Row A (Diagram 4). Repeat to make a second Row A.

2. Sew together five assorted print, solid, and polka dot 1-3/4" squares to make Row B (Diagram 5). Repeat to make a second Row B.

3. Sew together seven assorted print, solid, and polka dot 1-3/4" squares to make Row C (Diagram 6). Repeat to make four total of Row C.

4. Referring to Pincushion Back Assembly Diagram, lay out rows A, B, and C, and remaining assorted print 1-3/4" squares in 10 diagonal rows. Press seams of rows A, B, and C in directions indicated by arrows.

5. Sew together rows, aligning seams, to make pincushion back (Pincushion Back Assembly Diagram). Press seams in one direction.

6. Referring to Pincushion Back Trimming Diagram, trim pincushion back to 10-1/2x5-1/2" including seam allowances.

1. Lay pincushion front right side down. Center one 5x10" fusible fleece rectangle atop pincushion front, fusible side down. (The fleece should be 1/4" smaller on all sides.) Fuse in place. Designer's note: The fusible fleece gives the filled pincushion a smooth look.

2. Repeat Step 1 using pincushion back and remaining 5x10" piece fusible fleece rectangle.

3. Quilt pincushion front and back as desired. On the featured pincushion, Brenda Riddle quilted a 1-3/4" grid across the pincushion back with the stitching running at a 45° angle to the diagonal seam lines.

4. Baste rickrack 1/4" from all edges on pincushion front, stitching down center of rickrack, easing rickrack around corners, and overlapping ends 1/2" (Diagram 7).

5. Layer pincushion front and back with right sides together; pin. Sew together along all edges, leaving a 2" opening along one side for turning and stuffing.

6. Turn pincushion right side out. Firmly pack the pincushion corners with cotton stuffing, using a little at a time. Then use a small funnel or teaspoon to fill the pincushion with walnut shells. Gently tap pincushion on table to settle shells; add more shells as desired. Press a little more cotton stuffing into opening.

7. Whipstitch opening closed to complete pincushion.