12 May 2010

An Easy to Make Pin Cushion


Here is the tomato pin cushion that I made
during Martha Stewart's Stitch Fest:

It's very simple to make, so today, I'll show you how.

Because we're all about recycling here,
I'm using this old t-shirt.

But go ahead and use fabric scraps.

Cut a rectangle (this one's 7 " x 5") out of the fabric,
fold it in half & sew the ends together.

Sew a running stitch on one end & pull
the thread to "seal" the bottom.
Knot the thread.

Turn the fabric inside out.
Add stuffing.

Close the top with running stitch.
Pull the thread & knot the end.

To make the tomato "ribs", pass a threaded needle at the "core" to the outside. Do this several times, making the stitches as tight as you want.

Make the "crown" from green felt & stitch this to the top of the tomato.

TADA! Your very own pin cushion!
I made a few extras. I'll give this to
my Aunt Cora who loves to embroider.

And for a friend who doesn't sew but loves
gardening (I added a packet of tomato seeds).

Summer is tomato season...I hope you
can "harvest" your own tomato pin cushions!

50 comments:

  1. A 'tomato' pincushion and a pkg of seeds = a nice gift:)

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  2. loved the idea and result! ;) i'll try today :D

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  3. great step-by-step claire!! looks easy enough {or something I could pull off I mean}, so I will try it ;)

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  4. Hello Betty, Lara & Nuit! Thank you for your comments. This is such a fun & easy craft :)

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  5. So charming and cutsie-pie and crafty and lovely! Darn it. I wish I could sew...

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  6. Hello Flower Patch Farmgirl! Thanks for stopping by! This project can all be done by hand, no worries :)

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  7. Welcome to my blog Miss Cookie Button! Thanks for saying HI today :)

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  8. hello :)

    I tried this craft and finished it in about 1/2 an hour (although I kept stopping to sew on another project). :)

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  9. That's fantastic Bella! I bet it's a cutie :)

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  10. je t'écris de France et j'aime beaucoup ce que tu fais...on mangerai bien cette belle tomate avec un peu de mozarella ! bisou
    I write you from France ; I like so much what you create !! Can I eat this amazing tomatoe with mozarella ? ( do you create the moza with it ?) lol ! bye

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  11. Avec plaisir Christine! Thanks for visiting me today :) Tomatoes with mozzarella (and basil) sound really good right now!

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  12. Thank's for the idea!
    lartisteenvrac.over-blog.com

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  13. I have RA and I don't sew much. I think I will try this for Christmas presents. Thanks for the simple instructions, I could understand it.

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  14. Thanks for dropping by OBXDreaming! This will make great presents -- who doesn't love a handmade gift?!

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  15. Where's the pin sharpener that's supposed to be attached to the pin cushion? I'd like to know how to make that, too.

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  16. Hello Amnesia Wes! Thanks for your comment! I have yet to attempt making that strawberry-shaped attachment. :) If I'm not mistaken, you'll need to make a small cone-shape out of fabric, sew the side. Instead of filling it with fiberfill, I think you fill it with sand (the abrasive a action against the needle keeps it sharp). Finish the top the way you would this tomato - but to look like a strawberry, of course. Hope this helped! :)

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  17. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I wanted to make the tomato, but wanted to fill it with what ever would sharpen the pins. Thanks to Amnesias question and your answer. I am now off to make my tomato and strawberry. I have a wrist pin cushion that is wearing out and so now can remake it. It is filled with something other than cotton.
    I do not know what select profile means.
    Dorothy

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  18. Thanks for visiting Dorothy! Happy crafting! :)

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  19. just seen your tomato pincushion, going to try it this afternoon with the craft group.

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  20. Hi Dear Anonymous! Thanks for visiting and leaving this lovely note! Happy crafting :)

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  21. How easy and adorable

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  22. Thanks dear Anonymous...hope you had to the chance to make one :)

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  23. your diy pincushion is very timely. I really need one. I've prepared an old lilac jacket w/c was given to me. Next time I'll post my work.

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  24. Thanks dear anonymous! I can't wait to see what you make! :)

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  25. Using sawdust as the stuffing will help keep your pins sharp.

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  26. adorable & quick! thanks for the "sew easy" tutorial... may use it for my next class.

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  27. Love the tomato pin cushion...thanks for sharing.

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  28. Thank you for the amazing tomato idea. I will make it for a friend's little girl's sewing basket.. less pins!! She will adore it. Annette

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  29. Thanks for visiting Annette! I know she'll love it :)

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  30. So happy you liked the tutorial Chihuahuabulldog! :)

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  31. Chulisimo y una gran idea!Gracias

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  32. sounds like the perfect (and easy) gift to get my girls in my embroidery club started out with! I better get to sewing!

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  33. Appreciate your visit Cat! Happy crafting! :)

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  34. thanks for sharing this is awesome you could use a red sock as well. blessings, judyb

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  35. This looks just super! I plan to use your basic pattern for my 4-H Sewing Class tomorrow and will be posting photos of the finished products. Come by robbiesews.blogspot.com tomorrow and check it out!

    Thanks for the great tutorial!

    Robbie

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  36. Love this tutorial, I've shared it on my blog article about sewing pins :)

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  37. Awesome!
    I will make this as soon as I have time!
    :-) <3

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  38. AWESOME! Though can u use a sewing machine for the sewing part?

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