Hexie Pincushion {Free Sewing Tutorial}

Free Project Tutorial: The Hexie Pincushion is a mini pincushion that is perfectly sized for stitching on the go. It features a mini hexagon flower, and it is positioned in a little aluminium tin. This is a quick little project and is lots of fun to make. It would be a sweet little gift to pop into a swap package or to give to a stitching friend. It would a great little item to sell at a Mother’s Day craft stall.

To make the Hexie Pincushion, you will need:

• small metal tin (approximately 3 inches in diameter)
  • I used a small aluminium tin I purchased from a craft store a few years ago. You could re-purpose a candy tin, or use a jar lid.
• Small scrap of low volume fabric at least 9 x 4 inches for the background fabric
• Small scraps of 7 colourful fabrics at least 2 inches x 2 inches (I used Backyard Roses by Nadra Ridgeway for Riley Blake Designs)
• 7 hexagon papers with 1/2 inch sides
• Coordinating thread
• Polyester stuffing
• Craft glue

1. 1. Prepare the Hexagons – I used hexagons with 1/2 inch sides for my Hexagon Flower. Depending on the size of your tin, you may need to adjust the size of the hexagons. I used a Fiskars Easy Squeeze Hexagon Punch (size Medium) to cut out the 7 papers from lightweight card (I used a recycled envelope).  Using your hexagon template as a guide, cut the fabric so that it is approximately 1/4 inch larger on each side of the paper. Prepare your hexagons and then stitch them together. Remove the papers and press lightly. If you are new to English Paper Piecing, check out this comprehensive photo tutorial by Lori Holt from Bee in my Bonnet which guides you through the process of making Hexagon Flowers. They really are fun to make and perfect for using those treasured fabric scraps.
   2. From the low volume background fabric, cut out a circle of fabric that measures 4 inches in diameter. For the back of the pincushion, cut out two half circles measuring 4 inches in diameter  – add an extra 1/4 inch seam allowance to the centre of the half circle. Refer to the photo above – in this image the seam allowance on the backing fabric has been pressed under.
   3.  Hand stitch the hexagon flower to the centre of the pincushion front.
   4. Place the two half circles of backing fabric and position them with the right sides facing. Stitch them together, leaving a two-inch gap in the centre for stuffing.
   5. Place the back of the pincushion on the front of the pincushion with the edges aligned (refer to photo above), and stitch together around the edge using a 3/8 inch seam allowance. Clip the curves or use pinking shears to trim the seam allowance. Turn the pincushion out the right way through the gap in the back. Press lightly. Stuff firmly with the stuffing of your choice, and then hand stitch the gap in the backing closed.
   6. Position the pincushion in the tin and then glue to secure

      The Hexie Pincushion is such a fun project to showcase your favourite fabrics.

In this project, I have used pretty Backyard Roses fabric, designed by Nadra Ridgeway for Riley Blake Fabric (released in 2016).