Crafts and Games-
PINCUSHION

Pioneer girls were taught to sew at an early age.  They helped their mothers make clothes, curtains, bags, and quilts for the whole family. You can make yourself a simple pincushion to hold your pins while you practice making neat, tiny stitches!

You’ll need:

 Stitching around the edges
  • fabric scraps
  • scissors
  • stuffing (cotton balls will work, or you can use dried beans or rice)
  • straight pins
  • needle and thread
  • buttons, ribbons, or fabric markers
    for decorating your pincushion (optional)

1.  Print out this page and cut out one of the patterns.

2.  Place the pattern on your fabric and trace around it.  Cut out the shape.  Make two shapes this way.

3.  Place the two fabric pieces together, with the right sides of the fabric facing inside.  Pin the pieces together so they don’t slip while you’re sewing.

4.  Thread a needle and tie a knot at one end.  Stitch around the edge of your pincushion, leaving a small opening.  Take out the pins.

5.  Turn the pincushion inside out.  Fill the pincushion with stuffing.  You can use a pencil to poke the stuffing into any small spots. 

6.  Fold the rough edges under and pin them together.  Stitch the opening closed with neat, small stitches.  Remove the pins.

7.  If you like, you can decorate your pincushion with buttons, ribbons, fabric paint or markers.

Stuffing the cushion

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