How to Sew a Patriotic Pincushion
This patriotic pincushion is the second in a series of in-the-hoop pincushions I have designed for WeAllSew. Every sewing area needs a cute and functional pincushion. Celebrate patriotic holidays with your BERNINA machine. The best part is that the pincushion 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 Set Up
- BERNINA 790 PRO
- Drop-Shaped Embroidery Foot #26
- Straight Stitch Plate
- Large Oval Hoop
Materials to Make a Patriotic 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
- Cut-Away Stabilizer such as OESD Polymesh
- Pellon SF101 Shape-Flex or similar
- Choose your favorite filler for the Pincushion: Poly-fil, Poly- pellets, Walnut Shells
- Iron and Pressing Surface
Fabric Needed
- Front 6” square
- Large Star 4½” square
- Small Star 2” square
- Back 6” square
Instructions to Make a Patriotic Pincushion
For extra support, stabilize the front and back 6” x 6” fabrics with SF101 (or similar) per manufacturer instructions.
Hoop the Cutway stabilizer, making sure the stabilizer is secured all around the hoop.
Place hoop on the embroidery machine and stitch a placement line.
Remove hoop from the embroidery machine. Using a fabric glue stick, tack the 6” x 6” top piece of fabric over the placement stitch.
Return hoop to the embroidery machine and stitch.
Return hoop to embroidery machine. Stitch the placement stitch for the large star appliqué.
Remove hoop from the embroidery machine. With a fabric glue stick adhere the 4½” square over the large star placement stitch.
Return hoop to embroidery machine. Stitch the cutting stitch.
Remove hoop from the embroidery machine. With small, curved scissors, trim the large star fabric right up to the cutting stitch.
Return hoop to embroidery machine. The machine will now stitch the step fill stitch around the large star.
Return hoop to embroidery machine. Stitch the placement stitch for the small star appliqué.
Remove hoop from the embroidery machine. With a fabric glue stick adhere the 2½” square over the small star placement stitch.
Return hoop to embroidery machine. Stitch the cutting stitch.
Remove hoop from the embroidery machine. With small, curved scissors, trim the small star fabric right up to the cutting stitch.
Return hoop to embroidery machine. The machine will now stitch the step fill stitch around the small star.
Remove hoop from the embroidery machine. With a fabric glue stick adhere the backing fabric in the corners to the design. The right sides of 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 hoop from the embroidery machine and remove pincushion from the hoop. With fabric scissors or pinking shears trim ¼” from seam line all the way around.
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.
Enjoy celebrating with your pincushion next to your BERNINA machine. Maybe make some pincushions for your favorite sewing friends. If you liked this fun patriotic project, be sure to check out my website. 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 just for you.
Happy Stitching!
Angie
Lunch Box Quilts
