Adorable Posy Pincushions

Posy Pincushion

Working with wool offers quilters versatile options. Designer Pat Sloan felted the wool for her pincushions because felted wool doesn't fray.

To felt wool, machine-wash it in hot-water wash, cool rinse cycle with a small amount of detergent; machine-dry and steam press.

Download the Pincushion Patterns

Dragonfly Pincushion

What You Need:

2--5" squares of navy felted wool for pincushion
1--4-1/2" square of teal felted wool for dragonfly appliqué
Scrap of dark blue felted wool for dragonfly appliqué
Polyester fiberfill
Embroidery floss: navy, blue, and cream

Cut Your Fabrics

To make the best use of your fabrics, cut the pieces in the following order: (Do not add seam allowances.)

From navy wool, cut:

2 of Pattern A

From teal wool, cut:

1 of Pattern B

From dark blue wool, cut:

1 of Pattern C

From cream wool, cut:

2 each of Patterns D, D reversed, E, and E reversed

Make the Dragon Fly Pincushion

1) Referring to the Dragonfly Placement Diagram, layer all of the pieces atop one of the navy wool A circles. Baste in place.

2) Using two strands of coordinating embroidery floss, blanket stitch around each wool shape. To blanket stitch, see the diagram. Pull your needle up at A, form a reverse L shape with the floss, and hold the angle of the L shape in place with your thumb. Push the needle down at B and come up at C to secure the stitch.

3) With right sides together, layer the appliquéd navy wool circle with the remaining navy wool circle. Using a 1/4'' seam allowance, sew together the circles, leaving a 2'' opening for turning, to make the pincushion. Turn right side out.

4) Stuff the fiberfill into the opening until the pincushion is full. Slip-stitch the opening closed.

Sunflower Pincushion

What You Need:

2--5" squares of navy felted wool for pincushion
1--4-1/2" square of green felted wool for background appliqué
Scrap of yellow felted wool for sunflower appliqués
Scrap of gold plaid felted wool for sunflower appliqués
Scrap of brown felted wool for sunflower appliqué
Scrap of dark red felted wool for sunflower appliqué
Polyester fiberfill
Embroidery floss: green, gold, and red

Cut Your Fabrics

To make the best use of your fabrics, cut the pieces in the following order: (Do not add seam allowances.)

From navy wool, cut:

2 of Pattern A

From green wool, cut:

1 of Pattern B

From yellow wool, cut:

1 of Pattern F
2 of Pattern G

From gold plaid wool, cut:

2 of Pattern F
3 of Pattern G

From brown wool, cut:

1 of Pattern H

From dark red wool, cut:

1 of Pattern I

Assemble the Sunflower Pincushion

Referring to the Sunflower Placement Diagram, layer all of the appliqué pieces atop one of the navy wool A circles; baste into place.
Using two strands of coordinating embroidery floss, blanket stitch around each wool shape. To blanket stitch, see the diagram. Pull your needle up at A, form a reverse L shape with the floss, and hold the angle of the L shape in place with your thumb. Push the needle down at B and come up at C to secure the stitch.
With right sides together, layer the appliquéd navy wool circle with the remaining navy wool circle. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew together the circles, leaving a 2" opening for turning, to make the pincushion. Turn right side out.
Stuff the fiberfill into the opening until the pincushion is full. Slip-stitch the opening closed.

Bee Pincushion

What You Need:

2--5" squares of navy felted wool for pincushion
1--4-1/2" square of beige felted wool for background appliqué
Scrap of black felted wool for bee appliqué
Scrap of yellow felted wool for bee appliqué
Scrap of brown felted wool for bee appliqué
Scrap of blue plaid felted wool for flower appliqué
Scrap of pink felted wool for flower appliqué
Polyester fiberfill
Embroidery floss: tan, black, and blue

Cut Your Fabrics

From navy wool, cut:

2 of Pattern A

From beige wood, cut:

1 of Pattern B

From black wool, cut:

1 of Pattern J

From yellow wool, cut:

1 each of Patterns K and L

From brown wool, cut:

1 of Pattern M

From blue plaid wool, cut:

1 of Pattern N

From pink wool, cut:

1 of Pattern O

Make the Bee Pincushion

Referring to the Bee Placement Diagram, place all of the pieces atop one of the navy wool A circles; baste into place.
Using two strands of coordinating embroidery floss, blanket stitch around each wool shape. To blanket stitch, see the diagram. Pull your needle up at A, form a reverse L shape with the floss, and hold the angle of the L shape in place with your thumb. Push the needle down at B and come up at C to secure the stitch.
With right sides together, layer the appliquéd navy wool circle with the remaining navy wool circle. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew together the circles, leaving a 2" opening for turning, to make the pincushion. Turn right side out.
Stuff the fiberfill into the opening until the pincushion is full. Slip-stitch the opening closed.