How to make a strip pieced tiny pincushion- Method One (this is

the fussiest method but I preferred this technique)

You will need:

Fabric pieces with images for fussy cutting
Scraps of fabric for strips
Paper- light weight
Pencil
Disappearing Fabric marker or pencil
Quilting ruler
1/4 rule- optional
Stuffing- I use brown rice for weight and polyester fibrefill
Needle, pins, thread, scissors, rotary cutter/mat

1. (a) Choose two images to fussy cut. You will need two squares
the same size as your central image. Mine were around 1 1/2 inches.
Lightly mark the square actual size on the fabric in
pencil/disappearing fabric marker. Now pencil 1/4 inch seam
allowances around the squares on the fabric. Cut your squares out
along the outer line. Mark the seam allowances on the back too- it
makes life easier when you add the triangles.

1. (b) I fancied a ric rac border on my square so this needs adding

now- it is a bit fiddly so you may want to skip this. I sewed it so that
the bumps would just show when completes and I attached the ric
rac in the seam allowance so all the stitches were hidden.

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 2. On the paper, draw a line the length of the finished square
(without seam allowance). Thus will be the long edge/hypoteneuse
of the triangle. Find centre of the line and mark this point. Take
your quilt ruler, turn it so the corner of the ruler makes the right
angle of the triangle, match up corners with the ends of the pencil
line and use the centre point for accuracy. Draw along ruler edges
to complete your first triangle. Now add seam allowances around all
the edges of the triangle and repeat all of step 2 to make 4 paper
triangles. Cut them out- I used a craft knife.

3. Prep done, ready to sew! With your triangle right side up (pencil
marks on top) place the long edge on your first fabric strip. You will
be sewing through the paper and fabric so a larger needle and small
stitches- 2 or smaller-make paper removal easier at the end. I use a
fabric leader (a little bit of scrap fabric) at the beginning to stop the
machine choking at the first stitch.

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You could use an old needle just for this stage. If you have all your
triangles and first strips ready you can chain piece for speed. You
will have a chain of 8 triangles each with 1 fabric strip. Cut threads
between and change needle to your usual - I use size 80 - sewing
through paper is finished!

4. Fold the paper back along the seam. The remaining strips will be
joined to the fabric only so keep the paper well folded and out of the
way whilst you add 2-3 strips.

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 The strips should cover the paper triangle when folded back. Keep
adding strips, chain piecing if you like, until the fabric covers
the paper triangle when folded back. Press the seams forward to the
fight angle triangle corner.

5. With the paper triangle face up, trim the triangles using the paper
edges to guide you.

Carefully remove the first line of stitching which held the paper and
the paper itself. You will now have a 2 centre squares and 8
triangles. Arrange them how you would like each side to look.

6. Join the first 2 triangles to opposite sides to the centre square. I

had the centre square on the top and used the seam allowances
pencilled on the back to make sure I was sewing the right distance
and covering up the right amount of ric rac. Repeat for the other
side . Press the triangles out to make a hexagon sort of shape. Then
add the other 2 triangles on each side. You can see the last one
being added here

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7. Trim off the little triangles in the middle of each edge. It also does
no harm to zig zag around the edges- it makes the fabric a bit more
resillient when you turn out. If you want a hanging loop, now is the
time to add it to one square.

8. Place right sides together, leaving a gap for turning through, sew
around the edge 1/4 inch allowance. Press, open out the turn out
part of the seam and give that a good press on both sides too- makes
it easier for stitching it up in a minute. Turn through and stuff. I used
a mix of uncooked brown rice for weight and polyester fibre fill for
softness. Ladder stitch the opening closed, you could use double
thread here for strength.

9. Stand back and admire your tiny pincushion!

(Please make for yourselves, as presents for your friends/family, for charity
fundraising but not to sell commercially)

Designed by Kerry Green - verykerryberry July 2010