Selvage Edge Pin Cushions

Here's a quick tutorial utilizing your scraps from the fabric edges!

Selvage Edge PincushionsBy Cindy Wiens(Finished size 4½" x 4½")

Materials Assorted fabric selvages, approximately 1 ½" × 5½" (You will need about 4-6 selvage strips for one pincushion.) Scrap fabric for the foundation, 5" × 5" Fabric for the back, 5" × 5" Bias tape piping, 25" length Zipper or piping sewing machine foot Approximately 1 cup of crushed walnut shells, rice, or sand (Walnut shells are often used as bird litter and are sold at pet stores or online.)

Directions

1. To make the front of the pincushion, position a selvage strip across the foundation fabric, 1⁄2"-3⁄4" from the lower edge, so that the finished edge of the selvedge is toward the bottom. Sew the selvage strip in place, stitching close to the finished edge.

2. Position the next selvage strip on the foundation fabric with the lower edge overlapping the upper raw edge of the first strip. Sew the second strip in place close to the finished edge.

3. Continue sewing selvage strips in place until the foundation is covered. Trim the selvage ends even with the foundation fabric edges.

4. On the right side of the pincushion front, use a zipper foot or a piping foot to sew the piping along the edge.

5. Pin the pincushion front to the back with right sides together. With the front side up, stitch the squares together along the piping stitching line, leaving a 3" opening in the center of 1 edge.

6. Turn the pincushion right-side out and press, pressing under the seam allowances along the opening.

7. Fill the pincushion with crushed walnut shells. Pin the opening closed, then slipstitch it closed. For added strength, sew first in 1 direction, and then in the other.