Pin Cushion Ring

I found the most adorable tutorial on Instagram a few weeks ago – a stitched pin cushion ring! Of course, it took me a while to get around to making one. I did a little bit of searching, but couldn’t find instructions or a pattern online. You can check out Vera’s tutorial video here. It’s in metric and also not English (my favorite kinds of patterns!) I’ve got instructions for you below. In English, and with imperial measurements.

Materials

• 4″ square fabric
• 3 1/2″ square Pellon SF101 or other medium weight fusible interfacing
• Stuffing (I used wool, from a dryer ball that has been deconstructed by my studio assistant)
• Matching thread

If you want to fussy cut an image on your pin cushion ring, check out how my pin cushion lady sits on the finished piece.

Center interfacing on the wrong side of your fabric and fuse, following manufacturer instructions.

Cut in half on diagonal.

Pin two triangles, right sides together, and stitch along longest side, leaving 1″ opening in the middle.

Press seams open. Trim dog ears.

Fold one corner in, over the seam. Fold should be about one inch long.

Fold in half and stitch the short sides of the triangle.

Trim the corners, for sharper turned points.

Turn inside out through opening.

Carefully poke out your points.

Stuff, using a disassembled wool dryer ball that your puppy found, or whatever stuffing you have on hand. Just stuff the middle – don’t try to get stuffing in the ends.

Using a needle and thread, stitch the opening closed.

Fold the two ends together, tucking the pointy end into the open end.

Stitch the two ends together.

This will sound a little silly, but be careful when you stick the pins in. My son told me it looked like a bad idea. I laughed, then later I was a little vigorous with the pin insertion. You might be able to stick a penny inside to protect your finger, but I haven’t bothered yet.

As you can see, it is fantastically convenient to use when binding. I’m totally in love with this little thing. So much that I’ve made 4 in two days.

The fabric I’m using is a scrap of my precious hoard of Deborah Fisher fabric.