Posted on by agilejack

More Pin Cushions and Not Much More

I worked today. It was a better weather day than the last two days. The sun came out early in the afternoon and it was pretty glorious!

Obligatory photo of a cute Ernie in the fall almost-sun.

I left work a little early to head out for a few games of pickleball. I was happy to feel like I played smart. Most of the games were close and the team I was on won all but one game. So I feel like I played pretty well tonight.

It got dark so early that we were done playing before 5:00. It was too dark by then to see the ball. So I was home at around 5:45. I fed three apparently starving dogs, fed myself, then sat back for a 20 minutes to watch this.

Once everyone was nice and worn out we headed out into the cool, dry evening for a nice walk.

Once home I decided to hit my sewing room and dig into some of my crumb blocks. I thought it would be fun to make some of them into pincushions. I ended up making seven pincushions. That way I’ll be ready when my 1.3 gallons of crushed walnut shells arrive tomorrow.

Here’s the first three I made. Just crumb blocks with the backs made from some free form strip sets I found in my crumb block bin.

Then I thought I could make something more interesting from some of those pre-made crumb blocks I have. So I squared up some crumb blocks to 3.5 inches, then added a 1.5 inch border all around the edges.

Once the border was sewn on all the way around, I squared up the blocks to 5 inches.

I have a 5 inch square ruler that made this really quick and easy.

The border fabric is left over Kaffe Fassett Collective wide backing that I’ve had around for a while.

I just love that deep blue fabric with the bright colored prints in the crumb pieces. I had started looking for indigo batiks to border these blocks when I remembered this wide backing fabric.

I used it for the backs as well. It’s pretty perfect!

Once these pieces were done I fused a piece of non woven fusible interfacing to the back of the crumb block and the backing. I got it all pinned and sewed that seam around the outside.

I marked the opening with a blue pen, then put in this pin going a different direction than all the other pins. This is my reminder that this is the opening and I shouldn’t sew that part closed.

Once I had all these sewn I trimmed the corners, turned them all inside out, then got the opening all lined up and neat and then pressed it all.

I think those l little blue borders make these crumb blocks so much more interesting and vibrant!

Here’s all seven pincushions that I sewed tonight.

If my industrial sized container of crushed walnut shells does arrive tomorrow, it’s likely I’ll get these all stuffed and sewn closed tomorrow night.

The weather looks good tomorrow and I’m on the calendar to play pickleball in the later afternoon. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to do it. It all depends on how early I get going in the morning and how much I get done during the day. I hate to miss the opportunity to play when our weather has become so wet.

27 Replies to “More Pin Cushions and Not Much More”

  2. You are sew inspiring me to dig into my stash of scraps and just play. Thank you for sharing your ideas and cute fur buddy photos. I really do enjoy your daily messages. Cheers!

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    1. These are great little projects for mindless sewing, or for playing with an idea. I love stuff like this. Plus, there’s really no risk. If an idea doesn’t work, you’re not out much.

      Anne

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  3. Cute! Ernie is pretty dogged trying to win that tug-of-war.

    Looked on Amazon and Walnut Shells were listed by grit. What grit did you end up ordering? When I am ready I may make the crump squares, but fill with rice for weights for my sewing patterns. would make a nice gift for others that sew using paper patterns. Still the pin cushions would also be a nice addition to that.

    Love the dark blue border! Really makes the other colors standout!

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    1. I shared a link to the shells I purchased in my blog post tonight. I didn’t look at what grit it is.

      I love that blue border. It’s so good with all those bright prints!

      Anne

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      1. What kind (brand) of interfacing are you using? I have to admit that I have never used interfacing. Thanks.

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      2. I’m using a medium weight Pellon non woven fusible. I use it on the lining of my bags because I like the lining to be more substantial than just the fabric.

        Anne

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      3. Thank you. I am a quilter, so I am not that familiar with interfacing. I used to make all my own clothes, but that was when I was in high school. That was MANY moons ago. Now I’m a Kaffe fan.

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  5. Love the little pincushions. They’d also make really nice lavender bags methinks…
    Glad you got to play your beloved pickleball.
    I’m finally post Covid recovered enough to resume some sewing for our foodbank stall event.
    Today I made a really nice lined drawstring bag which was undoubtedly helped by my having made so many Frankenbags. I’m definitely improving ( at last!).
    Back to the sewing room.
    Lindy x

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  7. Love all your pincushions, they are so pretty. I have only one friend that sews so I don’t make pincushions. Your friend Ernie sure is cute. My old dog kinda looked like Ernie when she was young, but not now. How many more pincushions are you making and what are you doing with them?

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    1. I don’t remember where or when I got this one. Most square rulers seem to be in in half rather than whole inches. I think the 5 inch one is popular because of the number of charm square quilts. At least that’s the story I’m telling!

      Anne

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    1. I didn’t use it on these most recent pin cushions because the crumb blocks were already done and they wouldn’t’ be quilted. So I figured there was no need for the fleece. But I did want more structure than fabric alone would provide… so I used the interfacing.

      Anne

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  12. I am cracking up seeing all your pin cushions. You are hooked. And of course with more ground walnut shells, I see a new career in your future. Enjoy and thanks for the out loud giggle. Thank you!

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