I
made a pincushion chatelaine because I like to hand sew when I travel
or carpool or just sitting in my easy chair. I just hang it around my neck and it keeps all my sewing
necessities together in one place so I'm not constantly looking for
my scissors or my thread. Here's how you can make one, too. (My friend "Froggie" is looking on to make sure I'm doing it right, lol).
Materials Needed:
Flower and circle patterns
(Click here for templates)
2 - scraps of fabric for
flower petals
1 - scrap of batting for
flower petals
1 - scraps of coordinating
fabric for flower center (pin cushion)
Stuffing for flower center
1 - 2”xWOF (aprox. 45”)
strip of coordinating fabric for strap (You can also use a long piece
of double-fold binding for this if you like or if you're feeling especially crafty, you can use a dressmaker's tape, cut to the length you want)
2 - buttons (at least 1/2”
diameter each)
1 - piece of 1/4” tubing, 2
1/4” long
Snaps
6” piece of small cord
elastic
Strap
Fold 2” strip
lengthwise, right sides together and iron. Open and fold each edge in
toward the center and iron again. Refold center together and sew the
two folded edges together using about a 1/8” seam. Repeat seam on
the other edge for a finished look. Set aside.
Petals
Trace the flower pattern onto the wrong side of one of the scraps of fabric for the petals. (Note* The flower template is the same size as a CD)
Layer the petal section
for sewing. Place both pieces of fabric, right sides together, with
the traced piece facing up. Put the batting scrap on the bottom.
Place
the strap piece between the two
pieces of fabric with one end sticking out under one of the petals
about ½”.
Sew directly on the lines
all the way around, making sure that you’re not sewing over the
strap except where the end is sticking out. Just move the strap piece
around out of your way as you go. Stop sewing at the last couple of petals.
Use this opening to tuck the strap completely inside, then continue sewing until you've sewn all the way around. For strength, backstitch a time or two over the piece of strap that is sticking out.
Trim the edges a scant
1/4” all around the outside edge of the stitching and clip the
inside corners between each petal, making sure not to cut the
stitching.
In the TOP LAYER ONLY,
make a small slit in the very center about a half inch. Use this slit
to pull out the strap and turn the petal piece right-side-out.
Smooth
down edges and topstitch all around about 1/8” from edges to finish
petals. Set aside.
Flower
Center/Pincushion
Cut circle from
coordinating fabric for the center of the flower. (You can use the
template or just trace a CD. It's the same size.) Turn the edges
under and hand stitch around the edges using very large stitches.
When you have gone all the way around, draw the ends of the thread
together until the opening is about ¾” wide. Tie off the threads
and stuff the circle making a ball. Stuff it fairly firm, but not
hard.
Hand stitch the ball over
the slit that was used to turn the petal piece. I usually go around
it a couple of times for strength.
Scissor-Holder
Fold the free end of the
strap about 3” and attach snaps. If you prefer, you can use a
button and button hole instead of a snap. I just happened to have
some snaps left over from another project.
Thread-Holder
Measure about 4” up the
strap from the petal where it is attached. Sew one of the buttons
there securely.
Fold the piece of elastic
in half and push the folded end through the tubing until it comes out
the other end. Put the loose ends through the holes of the other
button. Tie the ends together so that the looped end sticks out the
top end about 1/4”. Put the holder through the center hole of a spool of thread and
stretch the loop end over the button on the strap.
