A recent search on Pinterest and came up with more than 100 boards on pincushions. And why not? Pincushions invite whimsy. They are useful soft sculptures and easy for beginning stitchers. Three cheers for pincushions. You can read more about my obsession here.
Here is a neat Cathedral Window pincushion from My Go Go Life. I like the idea of learning to do quilt squares with pincusions. Wouldn't it be fun to have a personal history of your quilting or piecing or fabric collaging in pincushion form?
Pincushions originated in the Tudor era in England. Prior to that from about the 1400's, precious pins were carried in small cases made from bone or ivory. The Victorians began to pimp their pincushions into small stuffed whimseys in the 1700's. It seems that is when the Tomato came to be.
I like this tutorial from Martha Stewart, upgrading that classic.
Needlecases are pretty sweet as well. Kim (one of my Stitch Along students) brought in enough materials for everyone to make one of these simple matchbook needle cases: cardstock, felt and a stapler.
This needlecase from Duo Fiberwords is super quick and simple, requiring only a bit of felt, buttons, needle and thread.
Here are a bunch of free tutorials collected by Tip Nut.
