Simple cross-stitched pincushion tutorial

A quick and easy homemade gift idea or a useful addition to your craft box?
A creative way to use those small cute cross stitched patterns that are too small for framing or a way to use up small off-cuts of linen/evenweave?

For me it’s all of the above, as well as an excuse to stitch small patterns or choose to embroider only a fragment of the large design. And the pillow shape of this pin cushion makes it very easy to use just about any cross stitch pattern you like.

Today I’m posting a brief and simple photo tutorial explaining how to make your own pillow pincushion with tassels.

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The mini pillow pincushion in the pictures was crafted for the “Autumn exchange 2009″ on one forum and found it’s new home in Simferopol.

Here I have two cross-stitched fabric pieces – front and back sides, and four tassels.
Note that each square has a thin border – the back-stitched line, which must be exactly the same length (the same number of stitches) on the meeting sides of both pieces.

Here is a nice tutorial how to make your own tassels, and here are great animated instructions how to make the back-stitched border.

Attach tassels to the corners of the back stitched line

… securing the thread on the fabric outside the border (this border will be the fold line, so anything outside it will be safely hidden inside the pillow).

(Here you can also see the lightweight woven fusible interfacing on the wrong side of the stitched pieces – it adds durability and prevents the stuffing from coming out.)

Thread your needle and start connecting the two sides stitch-by-stitch joining the back-stitched lines. Just align the two pieces and whip-stitch them together.

.. one side done

Turning the corner, be sure to “catch” first stitches on both sides…

.. and don’t be tempted to pull the thread too tight too soon. Leave it a bit loose now ..

.. and when you are some 7-10 stitches past the corner, pull the thread gently to close the seam (pull parallel to the seam – like zipper)

Stich all four sides and stop a couple cm before fully closing your mini pillow..

.. now stuff it ..

And close

Stand back and admire your work And please share the pictures!

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