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!

Crafted by

50 comments:

  1. BettyMay 12, 2010 at 10:24 AM

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

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  2. AnonymousMay 12, 2010 at 10:29 AM

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

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  3. UnknownMay 12, 2010 at 2:53 PM

    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. Claire Mercado-ObiasMay 12, 2010 at 7:42 PM

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

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  5. Shannan MartinMay 12, 2010 at 9:28 PM

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

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  6. Claire Mercado-ObiasMay 13, 2010 at 8:04 AM

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

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  7. AnonymousMay 13, 2010 at 7:29 PM

    Loves it!

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  8. Claire Mercado-ObiasMay 14, 2010 at 8:11 AM

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

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  9. BellaMay 15, 2010 at 2:18 AM

    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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  10. Claire Mercado-ObiasMay 15, 2010 at 9:05 AM

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

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  11. christine01May 18, 2010 at 1:46 PM

    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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  12. Claire Mercado-ObiasMay 18, 2010 at 2:09 PM

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

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  13. AnonymousMay 21, 2010 at 10:45 PM

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

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  14. Claire Mercado-ObiasMay 22, 2010 at 8:40 AM

    Merci Lartiste!

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  15. OBXdreamingNovember 18, 2010 at 8:52 AM

    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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  16. Claire Mercado-ObiasNovember 18, 2010 at 10:11 AM

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

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  17. Amnesia WesNovember 19, 2010 at 12:58 AM

    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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  18. Claire Mercado-ObiasNovember 19, 2010 at 8:06 AM

    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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  19. AnonymousNovember 21, 2010 at 4:47 PM

    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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  20. Claire Mercado-ObiasNovember 22, 2010 at 11:54 AM

    Thanks for visiting Dorothy! Happy crafting! :)

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  21. AnonymousNovember 24, 2010 at 2:43 AM

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

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  22. Claire Mercado-ObiasNovember 24, 2010 at 11:27 AM

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

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  23. AnonymousNovember 27, 2010 at 11:03 PM

    How easy and adorable

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  24. Claire Mercado-ObiasNovember 28, 2010 at 9:17 AM

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

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  25. AnonymousDecember 6, 2010 at 7:25 AM

    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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  26. Claire Mercado-ObiasDecember 6, 2010 at 8:23 AM

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

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  27. DenaFebruary 24, 2011 at 10:45 PM

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

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  28. Claire Mercado-ObiasFebruary 24, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    Really?! Thanks for the tip Dena! :)

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  29. Anita Dean SewsMarch 7, 2011 at 10:31 AM

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

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  30. Claire Mercado-ObiasMarch 7, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    Thanks for visiting Anita! :)

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  31. twilightmoonAugust 23, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    love it......

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  32. Claire Mercado-ObiasAugust 23, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    Thanks dear Twilight Moon! :)

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  33. jonwen45August 31, 2011 at 4:15 PM

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

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  34. Claire Mercado-ObiasSeptember 1, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    Thanks so much for visiting Jonwen45! :)

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  35. AnonymousOctober 19, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    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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  36. Claire Mercado-ObiasOctober 19, 2011 at 5:13 PM

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

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  37. chihuahuabulldogDecember 12, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    Great idea and very easy! Thank you!

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  38. Claire Mercado-ObiasDecember 13, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    So happy you liked the tutorial Chihuahuabulldog! :)

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  39. M carmenFebruary 12, 2012 at 1:25 PM

    Chulisimo y una gran idea!Gracias

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  40. Claire Mercado-ObiasFebruary 13, 2012 at 10:41 AM

    Thank you for visiting my blog Carmen! :)

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  41. AnonymousApril 5, 2012 at 12:38 PM

    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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  42. Claire Mercado-ObiasApril 5, 2012 at 12:42 PM

    Appreciate your visit Cat! Happy crafting! :)

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  43. Disco DottyNovember 7, 2013 at 7:26 PM

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

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  44. AnonymousNovember 25, 2013 at 4:21 PM

    Fabulous! xxx

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  45. From My Hands to YoursMarch 14, 2014 at 10:54 PM

    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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  46. Claire Mercado-ObiasMarch 18, 2014 at 1:19 PM

    Thanks for the lovely note Robbie!

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  47. KathyAugust 25, 2014 at 7:46 AM

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

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  48. AnonymousOctober 19, 2014 at 11:02 AM

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

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  49. AnonymousApril 1, 2021 at 11:53 PM

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

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