Ah ha, look at this...a new pattern is ready for some sewing fun!
In the last few years I've discovered how super satisfying it is to sew Sawtooth Stars and after making a couple blocks with really tiny stars, I wanted to use them in a project that wasn't a quilt.
At first, the idea was to make the smallest star (just over 2" measuring tip to tip) into a pincushion cuff. The Rose Pincushion Cuff is one of my most popular patterns and I'd love to make a second style of pincushion cuff, but after experimenting with the little star it just never quite came together. The block is so small and it needs to be smaller still to be comfortable to wear and it just got to be too challenging.
Once the cuff idea was off the table, I didn't want to abandon the idea of a Sawtooth Star pincushion because the pincushions I made while trying out the cuff idea were just getting better and better! I figured out how to make them as nicely square as possible and then a few sold and people asked about the pattern and so here we are with a pattern so anyone who wants to make these can stitch them up.
The pattern comes with pieces for three sizes. There is also a measurement chart on the second page of pattern pieces if you'd rather rotary cut them.
Size 1 is smallest one and it is just adorable and feels like a nice accomplishment to sew, Size 2 is more of a standard size pincushion, and Size 3 is a pretty big pincushion for those with a load of pins.
In the image above, these are the three sizes, but Size 2 is a patchwork pincushion. It's one of my favorite pincushions and I'll definitely be using the Size 2 pieces in the pattern to make more patchwork versions!
They don't take that long to make. This is a 2-3 hour project for most people.
They don't use a lot of supplies, or need more than fairly basic sewing tools.
You can stuff them with whatever you like. I'm stuffing mine with wool, which has become my preferred stuffing. It just feels nice and it doesn't seem to get as lumpy, bumpy as poly stuffing. If you haven't used wool and would like to try it out, or just want a small amount, one ounce bags are available here.
The supplies needed are listed in the pattern description. I also find these optional tools handy for making these pincushions:
- Mark-b-Gone pen: One end of this pen makes the blue marks in see in the instruction photos. I love, love, love these pens and always make sure to have a few on hand. This pen is my number #1 must have sewing tool and I've never been without one in the last 10+ years. The blue ink is removed with water, so it sticks around until you are ready to remove it.
- Point turner: This tool is kind of new to me and it's turned out to be one of those "where have you been all my life???" tools. It's just awesome for pushing out seams and corners.
Page 1 of the instructions has some helpful info and here are a few additional tips for making the pincushions:
For step #3 it's important to sew the diagonal lines fairly accurately. If you sew above the diagonal line, your point will be too short and you might need to cut new fabric pieces and start over. Due to the tiny size, picking out a seam isn't really an option. The fabric doesn't hold up well to picking out stitches when the piece is only 1" - 1.5" square.
You'll notice the instructions mention to NOT backstitch in step #3 and that's because with these little fabric pieces the fabric can bunch up. There just isn't a whole lot of material to provide stability and backstitching basically just drives the fabric into the machine plate and chews it up.
For step #5, to match up the seams of the top, middle, and bottom sections, while you are sewing place the intersecting seams with the seam of the piece on top (i.e. the piece directly under the presser foot) one stitch length (1mm or so) forward the seam for the piece on the bottom. The presser foot will push the seam of the top piece into alignment with the seam on the bottom. Also, don't forget you can also stretch the fabric will sewing to help match up the seams.
Well I hope you enjoy the new pattern! It will be on sale on my website and in my etsy shop through 2/26.
