Hibiscus Pincushion

• 7-inch square burgundy felted wool (flowers)
• 6-x-8-inch piece periwinkle felted wool (flower center, pincushion)
• Scrap of pale green felted wool (flower center)
• 6-x-8-inch piece moss green felted wool (leaves)
• 6-x-8-inch piece lilac felted wool (pincushion)
• Embroidery floss: burgundy, moss green, lime green
• Cube-shape seed beads: lime green
• Maco tube seed beads: lilac
• Polyester fiberfill
• Pinking shears

5 x 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 inches

Cut pieces in the order listed in specific pincushion instructions. Machine wash it in a hot-water-wash, cool-rinse cycle with a small amount of detergent; machine-dry it on high heat and steam-press.

Download pattern

• 7 of Pattern F

• 2 of Pattern A
• 1 of Pattern H

• 1 of Pattern I

• 5 of Pattern G

• 2  2-1/2-x-7-1/4-inch rectangles

1. Fold each burgundy wool F petal in half lengthwise and baste ends together.

2. Lay out petals in a circle and position a periwinkle wool H flower center and a pale green wool I flower center atop overlapped petal ends; baste in place. Using two strands of lime green embroidery floss and stitching through all layers, hand-stitch lime green cube-shape seed beads on flower center to make a hibiscus.

 

3. Referring to Hibiscus Placement Diagram and photograph above, position hibiscus and moss green wool G leaves on a periwinkle wool A oval; baste. Using two strands of matching embroidery floss, hand-stitch in place.

 

4. Hand-stitch lilac maco tube beads as desired on each lilac wool 2-1/2-x-7-1/4-inch rectangle, placing beads at least 1/2 inch away from wool edges.

5. With beaded sides facing each other, sew together short edges of lilac rectangles (Diagram 2). Carefully press seams open and turn right side out.

 

6. Lay appliqued oval atop joined lilac rectangles, aligning centers of oval ends with rectangle seams. Holding applique edges out of the way, use two strands of yellow floss to blanket-stitch pieces together, catching 1/4 inch of wool on each side. To blanket-stitch, pull needle up at A (Blanket Stitch Diagram), form a reverse L shape with floss, and hold angle of L shape in place with your thumb. Push needle down at B on periwinkle wool and come out at C on lilac wool. Bring needle up behind the L shape and push it down at D on periwinkle wool. Continue in same manner around oval.

7. Repeat Step 6 to sew remaining periwinkle wool A oval to remaining edge of lilac joined rectangles, leaving an opening for stuffing. Stuff with fiberfill and blanket-stitch opening closed to complete.