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Hands-Free Pin Cushion

Free project instructions to create a hands-free pin cushion.

Free project instructions to create a hands-free pin cushion.

Keep pins and needles close at hand when working at your embroidery machine with this hands-free pincushion! The stylish craft room necessity straps onto your wrist, meaning it is both fashionable and functional.
 

Project Needs & Notes:

- 1/4 yard lightweight denim
- 1 sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" PVC plastic or acetate
- 10" or 1/4" yard of 1" wide velvet trim
- Fabric glue
- 18" or 1/2 yard maxi piping
- 3" of 5/8" wide Velcro
- 1/2 cup of play sand

The design used in this tutorial is A8067, Vines Square (Lace).

Finished Size: 4.5" x 4.5"

This project was featured in the following:
 Christmas Gift Guide Lookbook
 

Free project instructions to create a hands-free pin cushion.
Hoop the denim with tear-away stabilizer, and embroider the design. Tear-away stabilizer is necessary so that the pins can be pushed more easily through.

 Use a size 11 or 75/11 sharp sewing needle rather than an embroidery needle.

Free project instructions to create a hands-free pin cushion.
After embroidering, tear the excess stabilizer away.

Free project instructions to create a hands-free pin cushion.
On the backside of the fabric, measure out 3/4" and make a mark.

Do this twice on each side of the square.

Free project instructions to create a hands-free pin cushion.
Draw lines to connect the marks.

Free project instructions to create a hands-free pin cushion.
Cut along the lines.

Free project instructions to create a hands-free pin cushion.
Make a back piece for the pin cushion.

Lay the embroidered piece over the denim, and trace the shape.

Free project instructions to create a hands-free pin cushion.
Cut, and set the back piece aside.

Free project instructions to create a hands-free pin cushion.
The plastic will be used inside the cushion to shield and protect the wrist from the pins.

Measure and mark a 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" square on the plastic.

Free project instructions to create a hands-free pin cushion.
Cut the plastic and set it aside

Free project instructions to create a hands-free pin cushion.
Next, the wrist band. Cut a strip of velvet trim to a 10" length.

Free project instructions to create a hands-free pin cushion.
To keep the ends of the trim  from unraveling, use a bit of fabric glue.

Add a couple of drops of glue to each end and fold back.

Hold the ends for a few seconds until the glue sets.

Cut a 3" strip of the hook side of the Velcro, and a 3" strip of the loop side.

Sew the hook part to the right side of the band.

Sew the loop part to the wrong side of the band.

Attach the wrist band to the bottom piece of the cushion.

Measure and mark the center point of the band and the center point of the denim square.

Lay the band over the bottom piece diagonally. The denim should be right side up, and the band should be wrong side up.

Align the center point on the band with the center point on the denim square, and pin into place.

Sew a 3/4" box around the center points.

Sew the top and bottom pieces together.

To begin, with the right sides down, press a 1/4" seam allowance all the way around the top and bottom pieces.

Trim the corners.

Align the top and bottom pieces together, wrong sides together, and secure with pins.

Cut a notch in the piping about 1/4" from the end.

Free project instructions to create a hands-free pin cushion.
Bend the piping at the notch and tuck it in-between the top and bottom pieces at a corner.

Free project instructions to create a hands-free pin cushion.
Sew a 3/8" seam around three sides, one side at a time, stopping about 1" before each corner.

At each corner, cut a slit in the piping. Bend and tuck the piping along the side.

Sew to the corner, lift the presser foot, turn the cushion, lower the presser foot and continue around the three sides.

Free project instructions to create a hands-free pin cushion.
Insert the plastic sheet into the open side.

Free project instructions to create a hands-free pin cushion.
Make a funnel from a piece of paper, and add the play sand to the cushion. Keep the sand on the back of the plastic -- away from the embroidery, on the side where your wrist will be.

Fill the cushion about halfway.

Free project instructions to create a hands-free pin cushion.
Hand sew the opening, keeping stitches small to prevent any sand from leaking out.

Free project instructions to create a hands-free pin cushion.
This stylish pin cushion is a convenient way to keep pins close at hand while sewing and embroidering.

Perfect for your own craft room, or as a gift for friends or sewing groups!
Hands-Free Pin Cushion



This project is featured on the Embroidery Library Pinterest page.

Pin it yourself using the "Pin It" button on this page.

Questions or comments? Let us know! Send an email to us; the address is stitch@emblibrary.com.

Products used in this Project:
Vines Square (Lace) $5.49 - $5.99

Available in 2 Sizes:

4.87" x 4.86" | 3.39" x 3.39"
A Floral Tiles (Lace) Design Pack $15.69 - $17.94

Available in 2 Sizes:

4.87" x 5.58" | 3.40" x 3.88"
Leafy Vines Square - Lg (Lace) $3.99 - $4.99

Available in 2 Sizes:

2.45" x 2.43" | 2.00" x 1.98"
Bridal Floral Square (Lace) $3.99 - $5.99

Available in 3 Sizes:

4.80" x 4.80" | 2.45" x 2.45" | 2.00" x 2.00"
Bridal Rose Square (Lace) $3.99 - $5.99

Available in 3 Sizes:

4.64" x 4.64" | 2.46" x 2.46" | 2.01" x 2.01"