January 2006 - Hosta Leaf Pincushion

Please read all the instructions before commencing.

The pincushion is perfect for practicing techniques before embarking on a larger project, such as a bag.

If you are using a new technique always practice first. 

REQUIREMENTS

Paper

Pencil

Rubber

Paper scissors

FS 006 O Machine knitted felt - Solo - Cherry

FD 009 U Machine knitted felt - Duo - Olive green/Leaf green

Bottle green machine sewing thread

Olive green machine sewing thread

1 skein Cherry single strand thread e.g. DMC Cotton Perle 5 or Anchor Pearl Cotton 5

HT 035 S Toy stuffing (sufficient to fill a pincushion)

Sewing equipment - sewing machine, needle, pins, scissors, tape measure, kebab stick etc.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. On a piece of paper draw a leaf design.  The leaf shape is basically a fat heart, which will be turned upside down.  Don't worry if the shape is not quite correct, as the leaf is stylized.  Cut out the leaf shape from the paper.  Use the paper leaf as a template and cut out a leaf from the leaf green felt.  Cut out two 4 1/2" (11.5cm) squares from the cherry felt.  Place the leaf diagonally across the square.  Pin securely to prevent the leaf from 'travelling'.

2. Using a medium length straight stitch and bottle green thread, machine a central curved vein.  Using a straight stitch and bottle green thread, machine veins from the central vein towards the outside of the leaf, on the right hand side of the central vein.  Start at the bottom of the leaf and follow the shape of the bottom of the leaf for the first vein.  The remaining veins can follow the shape of the first vein, using a point on the sewing machine foot as a guide.  Using olive green thread, machine veins on the left hand side of the central vein but machine more 'wavy' lines.

3. Using bottle green thread, machine the outer edge of the right hand side of the leaf and the edges of the stalk, using a zigzag of medium width and length.  When sewing the stalk hold it in place with a kebab stick.  DO NOT USE YOUR FINGERS.  Using olive green thread, use a machine embroidery stitch on the outer edge of the left hand side of the leaf.  Using bottle green thread, machine a satin stitch on the central vein.  Start at the bottom of the stalk with a wide zigzag, decreasing the width as you approach the tip of the leaf.  Using olive green thread, machine a hemming stitch down the central vein, next to the bottle green satin stitch, starting from the stalk end of the leaf and work towards the tip, decreasing the width as you approach the tip.  If you prefer to have the veins on the leaf more prominent, machine over the top of them again.

4. Constructing the pincushion. Cut a length of cherry single strand thread approximately 9 feet (2.8 metres) long.  Place the two felt squares wrong sides together and pin three sides.  Attach the thread to the wrong side of the felt, starting at a corner, work blanket stitch to the second corner, working from left to right (right to left if you are left-handed).  The thread is very long but work slowly and carefully and it should not become tangled.  Work one blanket stitch into the corner and continue along three sides. Pull the toy stuffing into small pieces, teasel it and insert a little at a time into the pincushion.  Pin together the fourth side of the pincushion, blanket stitch and fasten off.

©  Torbay Textiles 2006