I made my first little pin cushion that looked like something. I signed up for a pincushion swap on the email list from http://treadleon.net/ . I wanted something simple since it had to be done on a people powered machine, whether treadle, hand crank or by hand.
I made mine on a Singer redeye/redhead 66 hand crank. I was surprised how much easier going around the curves was on my hand crank versus my electric, it was a lot easier to control!
Unfortunately the pattern did not have any instructions, just the pattern to trace, which I did not realize until after I cut out everything! Like I said, this was my first time to make anything like this! I've only done clothes and quilts and they always had great instructions!
I was so happy I remembered to sew the tail (which I did a simple crochet out of yarn, the only crochet I can do!) on the wrong side of the fabric, I sewed it several times. Only to realize after I sewed the mouse that I had the tail facing the wrong way! I actually remembered the correct way on the ears though.
So I took out the gazillion stitches I had put in it to make sure it did not come out and turned it around to where it was on the inside!
I forgot to take a picture, but after I stuffed it I realized there was not a point on the nose and it looked like a deformed mole, so I had to go back and sharpen up the nose.
I stuffed it with my leftover strings you would normally throw away, it makes the pin cushion stiffer then using plain old polyfil would.
Then I added buttons for the eyes and threaded on the whiskers. The pattern called for seed beads but 1. I didn't have any and 2. I though the buttons matched the buttons on the fabric. I hope whoever gets it likes it!
And no, I did not plain to have that button right there on the nose in between the whiskers, it was just a happy coincidence! I have only made a couple of other pin cushions before, but they were easy, this
scrappy one and then the
wrist one. I did make another one for a secret sister gift for a friend at church, but I don't have a picture of it.
Have you ever made a pin cushion before?
Missy
The mouse turned out very cute!
ReplyDeleteHow sweet is that? We had a pin cushion swap in my SWF group on our last swap and it was lots of fun. Well now that you know how to make a mouse you can make a toy for the "babies" and stuff it with catnip!
ReplyDeleteCute mouse! I made my pincushion for the Treadleon swap as a little chick.
ReplyDeleteEach time I make a quilt I make a matching pin cushion. I hand quilt so it's not as many as you would think. HA! Your little mouse is very sweet and I like the buttons.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet his is! The button nose worked out perfectly, though it wasn't planned, huh?! I've made chicks and CQ pincushions before! It's fun! :)
ReplyDeleteYour pincushion is darling! Great job:)
ReplyDeleteCute pincushion. Oh yes I have made pincushions
ReplyDeleteMousies!! did you make some for the kitties!!
ReplyDeleteI love pincushions! Making them, giving them, and receiving them. Next time you sew the tail on the wrong side, save yourself some time and don't bother taking out the stitches. Just cut it off close to the seam and put it on the right way. It will be a little bit shorter but no one will know but you. I'm sure the person who receives your little mouse will love it. I know I would.
ReplyDeleteThat mouse is so cute.
ReplyDeleteYael From Home Garden Diggers
Cute! I'm also in the pin cushion exchange. I think lots of people participated this time.
ReplyDelete