Strawberry Pincushions (tips on how to make them and pattern resource)

Around the time I was making those cute fabric covered buttons I also made some strawberry pincushions.

I'd had a pattern saved for ages and never got around to making any. Then when Heather and I had a swap she sent along this cute little strawberry. I loved it and thought it would be great to make some too, to send along with swaps and bee packages.

I made some smaller ones sewing a basic cone shape using half of a circle. After the first one I just drew a top to sew on them. I wanted a more leafy looking top instead of the scalloped top the pattern I used had.

I mad some bigger strawberries by cutting an 8 inch circle into thirds (like 3 big slices of pie). Instead of sewing them like cones I sewed a curved bottom edge making them look a little more like strawberries. 

I used felt for the tops and stitched them down with embroidery floss.

I threaded my needle with baker's twine and knotted the end, ran my needle under the top coming up in the center. Went back down into the center next to where the needle had come up, pulled it through and out from under the leaves, made a knot.

You can also use some buttons and small felt flowers to pretty them up.

So basically all you do is cut a circle, cut that into half or thirds. Bring your sides together (right sides facing), sew up the side, turn it right side out, stuff it, gather the top using a basting stitch, attach a top to it, embellish as you like. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Here are some free pattern resources for you...

Martha Stewart Strawberry Pincushion

Pam Kitty Morning Strawberry Delight

Vintage Strawberry Pincushion

Anyone interested in a Strawberry Pincushion Swap???

Chevron Quilt Finished

I finished the chevron quilt yesterday. For a small quilt, it took what seemed like forever to finish. Gone are the days of marathon sewing for me....for now. I'm really happy with this one. Following the lines of the chevrons seemed like the natural quilting choice here. It just kinda flowed.

Here's as shot of  that 30's feedsack repro, I mentioned in the previous post, I used for the binding. I think it looks like it was just meant to go with this quilt.
I backed it with the Girl Friday (Cosmo Cricket) wreaths that I used for a few of the blocks on the front.  I listed it in my shop. I have a few more things to list as I get the time. Oh, sweet time, ha!

Here's a little peak at what keeps me busy these days. The baby can sit up all by herself now. She's growing so fast and I don't want to miss a second of it.

xo Erin

Pink & Aqua, Sea Foam, Chevron, Ric-Rac Style Quilt Top

I found a few half-square triangles while organizing my fabric a few weeks ago. I started playing around with them making a chevron, ric-rac-y layout. I really liked how it looked so I made more HST's to make this quilt top. I love, love, love the colors.

 

My daughter and I played with different layouts finally deciding on this one. I found a really cute 30's feedsack print that I want to use for the binding.

There's not much time for sewing lately and that's okay. I've been busy with our lesson plans for the new school year and getting everything organized. Having fun buying school supplies. There's nothing like a new pack of crayons to spark creativity.

Happy Wednesday!!! 

xo Erin