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Monday, October 30, 2017

wool and flannel pin cushions

The weather has turned blustery in these parts. It's times like these that I am especially thankful to be a quilter...(and part time knitter)! Last week, before the first snow was forecast, we finally started to rake our leaves. We have several mature trees in our yard, so we have gobs and gobs of leaves. I was raking around a tree stump and I thought, "oh! that would be a cute backdrop for a pin cushion photo." Then, I remembered that I had some wool squares hiding in the deep recesses of my sewing room that I had purchased back in 2013. (!!!) I combined those wool squares (along with some flannel scraps) to make several pin cushions. Some are all wool, some are all flannel, and some are a combination of the two.
I was concerned that the wool wouldn't contain the filling (crushed walnut shells) adequately, so I added interfacing (Pellon SF101) to the back of each square or rectangle that I used. (I interfaced the back of the flannel pieces for added stability as well.) I'm happy to report that it worked extremely well. I like to stitch the openings closed with invisible (nylon) thread. It makes for nearly invisible closure without having to stress over perfect hand stitching. Yay!
I've been traveling and speaking a lot this fall, so I've given away a lot of pin cushions. I'm happy to have several more to replenish the giveaway basket! Who can't use just one more pin cushion?
Happy Monday to you!
 

17 comments:

  1. Anonymous3:38 PM

    I really like the quilt and I also like the update to your blog. I do appreciate being able to look back on previous posts (helps me feel like I haven't missed a single one & I wouldn't want THAT to happen!!)

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  2. Looks like just the right size to use as a hand warmer. :)

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  3. I've been making flannel hand-warmers (filled with rice) that look similar to these. Fun little project! Thanks for the tip about using clear nylon thread. I always forget about that!

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  4. I love the look of these "wintery" pincushions!

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  5. Love them and yes, great photo stage!

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  6. Do the crushed walnut shells help to sharpen the pins and needles?? I was wondering about that when I heard they get used, and also, does it help to weigh the cushion a bit so it's not 'floaty', easy moved on the table you have it on. Love the picture setting, but sure not the idea of snow... we are going to be getting that here, probably next week if not even tomorrow.... Have a great Halloween and love the quilts you make and your books. Thanks for sharing your skills with me.

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  7. I do love your pincushions. What do you do with them all? I have visions of pincushions being like Tribbles and pouring out of your door (sorry old Star Trek fan)!

    Weather-wise in the south of England we had our first frost yesterday. Cloudy and hazy today and warmer. A promise of 13 degrees (55F) so winter is being held back a little longer.

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  8. Great idea! They’re are so cute! Thank you for sharing🍁🍁🍁

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  9. Excellent idea! I always like to have lots of little handmade on hand, too. My latest crush has been to make zippered pouches from my baskets of summer scraps. 17 pouches later and the baskets are still overflowing! I need your book because I need a Plan B!

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  10. Lovely and so warm and inviting. I've wanted to make some on my own but stuffing doesn't work and I'm allergic to all nuts, thus the crushed nuts aren't good for me to have around. Any other suggestion of fillings that are effective?

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  11. So cute! Great idea!

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  12. Those are just so perfect for fall!! Makes me want to make pin cushions for every season :)

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  13. Hi Amanda. I want to tell you how much I appreciate the serenity of your blog. It’s very clear that you aren’t perpetually selling us on some new product or fabric line, but instead you’re showing us what you’ve done. It’s refreshing! Thank you.

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  14. Love these wooden pincushions; good thinking to put in the interfacing. Perfect backdrop for them, I agree!

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  15. If ever a pin cushion could suggest 'cozy' these do. Lovely for fall. Great way to use of bits of wool and flannel too.

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