Plus Pincushions

Inspired by: Crosscut from designer Natalie Crabtree

Project tester: Martha Gamm

Yardages and cutting instructions are based on 42" of usable fabric width.

• 6" square white print
• 10" square pink print
• 7" square light orange print
• 10" square dark orange print
• 10" square batting
• Crushed walnut shells or fiberfill

Finished sizes: 4-1/2" and 4-1/4" square

Cut pieces in the following order.

From white print, cut:

• 4—2" squares

From pink print, cut:

• 1—5" square
• 1—2×5" rectangle
• 2—2" squares

From light orange print, cut:

• 4—2-1/4" squares

From dark orange print, cut:

• 1—4-3/4" square
• 1—1-1/4 ×4-3/4" rectangle
• 2—1-1/4 ×2-1/4" rectangles

From batting, cut:

• 1—5" square
• 1—4-3/4" square

Measurements include 1/4" seam allowances. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated.

Press seams in directions indicated by arrows on diagrams. If no direction is specified, press seam toward darker fabric.

1. Referring to Diagram 1, lay out white print 2" squares, pink print 2" squares, and pink print 2×5" rectangle. Sew together squares in top and bottom rows. Join rows to make a pink block. The pink block should be 5" square including seam allowances.

2. Referring to Diagram 2, lay out light orange print 2-1/4" squares, dark orange print 1-1/4×2-1/4" rectangles, and dark orange print 1-1/4×4-3/4" rectangle. Sew together pieces in top and bottom rows. Join rows to make an orange block. The orange block should be 4-3/4" square including seam allowances.

1. Layer pink block right side up atop batting 5" square (Diagram 3); smooth to eliminate puckers. Quilt as desired.

2. Layer quilted pink block and pink print 5" square with right sides together (Diagram 4). Sew together, leaving a 2" opening in one edge for turning, to make a pink pincushion cover.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 with orange block, batting 4-3/4" square, and dark orange print 4-3/4" square to make an orange pincushion cover.

4. Turn each pincushion cover right side out. Fill covers with walnut shells or fiberfill. Slip-stitch openings closed to finish pincushions.