Saturday, May 15, 2010

Let's get a jump start on Christmas gifts


Pin cushions from leftover blocks.
OK, not a new idea but definitely a fun one.
I love making pincushions from leftover blocks.
I made one for a novice sewer at work and her daughter kept it for a pillow for her Barbie doll so I had to whip up another one.
Now, you are wondering, who wants another pin cushion?
Well, I personally have several. Since I stitch in 2 rooms, I keep several in each room. Also, I do not combine pins. I keep my flat pins on one cushion, my applique pins in another, etc...
So, stitchers do need pin cushions. Also, some people collect them so you will be adding to their collection.
When I make these from leftover blocks, I make several and I then have a bag full.
I just fill them with poly fill but I know other blogger's use different things to fill them with..
Also, if you are making a pincushion for an international friend , why not make one with fabric that shows your state?Here is a link to other pincushions you may want to create.

18 comments:

Sandra Henderson said...

I am having a few friends for a quilt retreat on June 4. I've been thinking of making them all pincushions. Then, I'd think, Oh, who needs one, like you say. Well, I don't think we can ever have too many. Thank you for inspiring me to do this... I'll find some nice "beachy" types in my stash today. I think something to remind them of their time here. Wish you could join us!~Have a wonderful day! XO

Sandra Henderson said...

Goodness! What a great link! XO

Pat said...

I also keep one pincushion in my sewing room and another in the family room, where I do a lot of hand-stitching. Good idea to make them from orphan blocks!

Barb said...

Wow...where are you storing all your fun creative items until Christmas??

JustCindy said...

Cute idea! I love making pin cushions.

Melissa ;-) said...

Great idea to have different pincushions for different pins. Now why didn't I think of that!

Yvette said...

Smart! I need to start saving my reject blocks, I could have had a dozen of these in red/white. LOL

Terriaw said...

I love making pincushions from scraps, but haven't made one in awhile, so thanks for the reminder. I like to have a couple extras too, depending on where I'm working in the house.

Angie said...

Your pincushions turned out so cute! And--Thank you for the link to all the pincushion tutorials. I've never seen so many ways to make a pincushion! I love pincushions too, and have quite a few. My favorites are filled with crushed walnut shells which can usually be bought at our local feed store. Maybe some of the craft type stores have them to. The crushed walnut shells are the size of sand, and give a nice pliable weight to the pincushions.

Angie said...

I like that you made good use of your leftover quilt blocks! I like having pin cushions around in various parts of the sewing room, and even in the rest of the house where I might sit and do handwork. Thank you so much for the wonderful Link to the Pin Cushion tutorials! Who would have thought there were so many styles of pincushions!

Julia said...

One can never have enough pincushions Betsy..
every year I intend to start christmas gifts eary, but never do...maybe this year!
Julia ♥

SewCalGal said...

Fun idea!

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Micki said...

What a great site...thanks!
Micki

Hampers said...

wow...this Christmas gift looks awesome. I have never seen anything like it.

Siddis back home said...

Wonderful idea to jumpstart Christmas, also handy to have for all occasions... Have a good week!

Nanette Merrill said...

I've tried for years now to get this jump start. Good for you. I love pincushions.

Karen said...

One can never have too many pincushions! Love the idea of making them from leftover blocks.

JoyLeanne said...

Good for you for getting started on Christmas gifts. May is so full of birthdays around her I normally don't get started on Christmas till July. Thanks for stopping by my blog and entering the giveaway. Good luck!