You'll need:
- Floral print: 2 - 5" x 5" squares (I used two left over charm squares from the Regent Street collection by Sentimental Studios for Moda - yum)
- Ivory solid: 1 - 4" x 4" square
- foundation pattern* for 4½" x 4½" square in a square block -- click here for link. When you print the foundation, make sure that it measures 5" from dotted line to dotted line (4½" from solid line to solid line).
- embroidery floss (I used pink (DMC's #3731), blue (DMC's #931), and ecru)
- 9" x 9" piece white flannel or thin batting
- fiberfill or other stuffing material
- also helpful: washout marking pen, spray basting adhesive, embroidery hoop
* I paper pieced the square in a square block for accuracy. If you're new to paper piecing, here's a link to Craftsy tutorial to get you started.
Assemble Pincushion:
- Before paper piecing your block, take one of your print 5" x 5" squares and cut it diagonally from corner to corner twice. You'll end up with 4 triangles.
- Foundation piece your square in a square block covering section A1 with the ivory solid 4" x 4" square and sections A2, A3, A5, and A5 with the floral print triangles created in step 1 above -- if you use a scant ¼" to overlap the lines between the ivory solid section and the floral print sections, the triangles should be plenty big.
- With paper side up, trim block on dotted lines. The unfinished block should measure 4½" x 4½". Remove paper from behind block.
- Using your favorite method, transfer the embroidery design to your block. I used a light box and a wash out marking pen. Here's the link for the embroidery design.
- Your block will be a bit small to embroider at this point, so it's best to baste it to a larger piece of flannel or thin batting. I used spray basting adhesive to baste my block to the center of a 9" x 9" piece of white flannel.
- Using an embroidery hoop, two strands of embroidery floss, and a backstitch, embroider the eight hearts on the block.
- Trim block with attached flannel to 5" x 5".
- With right sides together, layer embroidered square in a square block and remaining floral print 5" x 5" square, matching all edges.
- Stitch around all four sides using a ¼" seam allowance and leaving a small opening for turning.
- Trim corners and turn the pincushion right side out. Press lightly.
- Stuff pin cushion as desired and use a blind stitch to sew the opening closed.
And that's it! Two charm squares + a bit of stitching = one sweet pincushion!
If you don't need another pincushion or you're out of fiberfill, leave this little project unstuffed after turning and sew the opening closed to make a charming mug rug!
Happy Valentine's Day!
