A couple of weeks ago, I picked up $3 worth of quilting fabric scraps from the Sewing Basket in Balmain. At 10c per piece, this is what they looked like…
I’m not a quilter, but I was keen not to waste them, so I turned some of the pieces into pincushions. If you’d like to have a go at making your own, here’s a step-by-step tutorial I wrote a few years ago…
My ever patient Pete walked into the dining room while these were in progress and just stared at the mound of stuffed pillows. “The trouble with tribbles is…” I quipped (it’s a Star Trek reference)…
I’m sure a few of you will understand this feeling…sometimes you just need to do “quaft” until your hands hurt. There’s something incredibly rewarding about filling a table with pretty creations in cheerful bright colours. Being able to do so without buying any new resources (the scrap fabric, broder cotton, buttons and polyfill were all purchased from donated and rescued stock) makes this a sustainable and guilt-free pleasure.
I gave a few of these to friends and donated the rest to the Sewing Basket Balmain to sell and/or give to their volunteers. All funds raised by these stores go to Achieve Australia, a disability support and housing charity…
So if you’re looking for a quick project, give these a go. You might find them as addictive as I do! ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
That was fun!
They are beautiful Celia and the colours are gorgeous.
Beautiful colors! I think my daughter could make these as well.
Beautiful and great idea! I might give it a go
They look so lovely altogether – a little pinultimate of cushions
These look gorgeous! I agree, I do love to make a lot of an item and be able to pile them up together in a pretty bunch!
Totally gorgeous use for bright colourful fabric scraps. I have been using one of these types of pin cushions for years and I love it 😻
Celia, these look great and what a rewarding way to use up pieces of scrap fabric.You have inspired me, excellent to add to a Christmas parcel as well. Thanks for sharing this, Pauline
Beautiful work, Celia.
They are lovely I fancy making one, thank you for the instructions
They are delightful little cushions. I was given a handmade one that is on a flexibel wrist band, so it’s always to hand when you’re sewing. I’d have a go making more but I’ve never worked out where to get the wrist band material.
they are gorgeous :)
Agree with Bee – these are pretty enough to wear & would be lovely mounted on wide elastic as a wrist band. My own pincushions are made with the ‘free’ needlepoint kits attached to thriftstore mags “Discovering Needlecraft” or similar, and from rescued projects also found in opshops, and stuffed with steel wool which is supposed to keep pins sharper. Oldfashioned soapy steel wool seems harder to find but helps with rust…..
I love the pin cushions
But with poly fill the pins just disappear into them
Steel wool is good
Walnut shells are ok to but make them dearer to make
Absolutely gorgeous works of art, love how appropriate the buttons are on each of them.