How to Make a Hexagon Pincushion
The Hexagon Pincushion is the fifth in a series of in-the-hoop pincushions I have designed for WeAllSew. This pincushion design is traditionally stitched by hand using the paper piecing hexagon shapes. The best part is it will be stitched and assembled in the embroidery hoop except for a few inches of hand sewing once the pincushion is stuffed. Let’s get started!
Machine Setup
- BERNINA 790 PRO
- Embroidery Foot #26
- Straight Stitch Plate
- Large Oval Hoop
Supplies Needed to Make the Pincushion
- 80/12 Embroidery needle
- 40wt Embroidery Thread
- 60wt Bobbin Thread
- 50wt Cotton Thread
- Fabric Glue Stick
- Small Curved Embroidery Scissors
- Fabric Scissors or Pinking Shears
- Point Turner
- TearAway stabilizer (I used OESD StabilStick)
- Choose your favorite filler for the Pincushion: Poly-fil, Poly- pellets, Walnut Shells
- Small Button (optional)
- Iron and Pressing Surface
Fabric Needed
- Front 6½” square
- Six 2” squares outer ring of hexagon
- One 2” square center of hexagon
- Back 6½” square
Steps to Sew the Pincushion
Hoop the tear-away stabilizer sticky side up, making sure the stabilizer is secured all around the hoop.
Score the inside of the hoop and remove the top sheet of the stabilizer. The stabilizer should be sticky side up in the hoop.
Center one of the 6½” within the hoop on the sticky stabilizer
Note: If you are using a non-sticky tear-away stabilizer, use the basting box option on your machine to secure the fabric to the stabilizer.
Place the hoop on the embroidery machine and stitch the outer hexagon shape.
Keeping the hoop on the machine, stitch the placement stitch for the first small hexagon shape.
Remove the hoop from the embroidery machine. Using a fabric glue stick, glue the first 2” square in place.
Return the hoop to the embroidery machine. Stitch the cutting stitch.
Remove hoop from the embroidery machine. With small, curved scissors, trim the hexagon fabric shape right up to the cutting stitch.
Continue with the next five hexagon shapes as above. Placement Stitch, gluing fabric into place, and cutting stitch. The hexagons will stitch in a clockwise pattern.
Stitch the placement stitch for the center hexagon
Remove the hoop from the embroidery machine. Using a fabric glue stick, glue the center square in place.
Return the hoop to the embroidery machine. Stitch the cutting stitch.
Remove hoop from the embroidery machine. With small, curved scissors, trim the center hexagon fabric shape right up to the cutting stitch.
Return the hoop to the embroidery machine. The machine will now step-fill stitch around all the hexagon fabric shapes.
Remove hoop from the embroidery machine. With a fabric glue stick, adhere the backing fabric with a dab in the four corners of the 6 ½” square. The right sides of the fabrics together.
Return the hoop to the embroidery machine and stitch the two pieces of fabric together. There will be an opening at the bottom of the pincushion to turn right sides out.
Remove the hoop from the embroidery machine and remove the pincushion from the stabilizer. With fabric scissors or pinking shears, trim ¼” from the seam line all the way around. I used pinking shears.
Gently turn the pincushion inside out. Use a point turner to ease the curve. Fill the pincushion with your favorite filling. I used walnut shells. Any filling would be perfect. After filling the pincushion, slip stitch the small opening together with 50wt cotton thread and a sewing needle.
An optional small button can be stitched in the middle of the pincushion.
Enjoy and display your pincushion beside your BERNINA machine. Maybe make some pincushions for your favorite friends. If you like this stunning pincushion, check out my website lunchboxquilts.com. There you will find many projects using machine embroidery appliqué quilts and projects. Keep watching for more WeAllSew projects, as I am creating the next pincushion in the series for you.
Happy Stitching!
Angie
