Once drab and utilitarian, pin cushions are experiencing a much needed makeover. Use fashionable and trendy designs to dress up your sewing area. Pin cushions also make great gifts for those who sew or quilt.
Pin cushions are simple and easy sewing projects. No purchase is usually required. Chances are you have enough fabric scraps on hand. Wool from old sweaters can also be turned into felted pin cushions. You probably have some filling or stuffing around as well.
Various sewing techniques are suitable for pin cushion sewing projects. These include appliqué, patchwork, and felting. Embroidery is often added as a decorative touch. Pin cushions can be embellished with buttons, beads, sequins, and trim of all sorts. Lace also works very well.
In addition to sewing, fiber craft techniques can be used to create lovely pin cushions. The August 2008 issue of Early American Life magazine had a beautiful hooked wool strawberry pin cushion by Paula Walton. This was shaped like a strawberry with leaves just like you’d find on a real fruit.
Pin cushions come in all sorts of geometric shapes from round and square to triangular. Some are designed to fit around the wrist. They can also assume many fanciful forms. These can look like mini-pillows, whimsical animals and pets, insects, fruits, and nature-inspired flowers and foliage.
All sorts of ordinary items can serve as the base for a pin cushion. Examples include mugs and cups as well as small ceramic and terra cotta pots. Jar tops are often used as well.
For innovative pin cushion ideas, look to art. Mixed media artist Charles LeDray created a work called Shoe Pin Cushions. This was on exhibition in 2006. His artistic pin cushions nestled in different styles of shoes. This art work was written up in the August/September 2007 issue of American Craft magazine. If you plan to create your own shoe pin cushion, it goes without saying that you’d want to start with a new shoe for the base.
Pin cushion patterns are available from various online and retail sources, including Indygo Junction.
Simplicity pattern 2990 features a delightful collection of pin cushions. This has eight styles. These include a cupcake, mushroom, hat, a lady’s boot, song bird, owl, turtle, and a miniature sewing basket.
For inspiration and patterns, check out the book called Warm Fuzzies. By Betz White, this was published by North Light Books. This features lovely felted pin cushions that resemble luscious frosted cupcakes. These creations look good enough to eat. This book gives illustrated, easy to follow, step by step directions for cupcake pin cushions.
