DIY Pin Cushion – Cute Pincushion Tutorial
Have you got lots of scrap fabric in your stash that is looking for a new purpose? What about making a DIY pin cushion? These cute, round pin cushions are really simple to make and are great gift ideas too.
How to Make a Pincushion
This tutorial will lead you though how to make a pincushion step by step. Here are the basics:
DIY Pin Cushion Supplies
You will need:
- Scraps of fabric – I prefer cotton fabric. Fat quarters are ideal, as you will get several DIY pin cushions out of every piece.
- Embroidery floss – This is to sew the segments. Crotchet thread or yarn can also be used. Regular sewing thread is not normally strong enough.
- Basics – needle, thread, scissors, ruler, fabric marker.
- Stuffing – Polyester stuffing such as poly-fill. You can also substitute fabric scraps cut up really small.
More Pincushions
Love making pin cushions? Get the best free pin cushion patterns!
DIY Pin Cushion Video Tutorial
Check out this video I made for you, showing all the steps. Make sure you subscribe to my YouTube channel for weekly sewing and craft videos.
DIY Pin Cushion – Step by Step Instructions
Step 1 – Draw Fabric Circles
Use a teacup or something round to trace out 2 circles on your scrap fabric. My cup was 4 inches across, which made a really nice-sized pin cushion, but you can make yours larger or smaller if you wish.
Step 2 – Stitch
Put your 2 circles with RIGHT sides together. Stitch around the circles with a 1/4 inch (6mm) seam allowance and leave a 1 1/2 (4cm) gap.
If you want to hand stitch, use a strong backstitch.
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Step 3 – Clip
Clip around the seam, but leave the section where the gap is unclipped. This means putting small snips around the edge, being careful not to cut through the stitching.
Step 4 – Turn & Press
Turn the pin cushion right way out and give it a press
Step 5 – Stuffing
Stuff your DIY pin cushion and close the gap with an invisible ladder stitch.
Step 6 – Segments
Knot a piece of embroidery floss and pass the needle through the top center all the way through to the bottom center.
Bring the needle up and around to the top again. Repeat until you have 8 segments. Pull the thread tight enough, so it gathers just slightly to give a puffy look.
Knot off the floss and then use the thread to sew a button on top. Knot off and cut the thread.
DIY Pin Cushion FAQs
The best filling for pincushions is a polyester stuffing like that used for toymaking. Stuffing can also be made from cotton or wool if you prefer a natural alternative. Other alternatives include fabric scraps cut up really small, sawdust, rice, or even fine steel wool, which will sharpen your pins.
If you don’t have a sewing machine, you can make this DIY pin cushion by hand. Use a backstitch with a short stitch length. This will produce a durable seam.
Pin Cushion Patterns
Get the best free pincushion patterns. Pin cushion of all skill levels to upgrade your sewing room.
DIY Pin Cushion – In Conclusion
And there you are all finished learning how to make a pincushion. My first DIY pin cushion took me around 15 minutes, but the second 2 were done in under 10 minutes. They were really fast, but I think the stuffing took the longest!
More DIY Pin Cushion Tutorials
Here are some more free DIY pin cushion tutorials. My favorite is the felt one with the applique. What is yours?
- Patchwork Pincushion – Patchwork square-shaped pin cushion
- Pincushion Patterns – Felt with an applique sewing machine motif. This pincushion is done in all hand sewing.
- Mason Jar Pincushion – Recycle old jars into a stylish pincushion for your workroom.
- DIY Pin Cushion – Round pin cushion
DIY Pin Cushion
Difficulty
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Sewing Basics Needle, thread, scissors
Materials
- Cotton Fabric
- 2 Buttons
- Polyester Stuffing
- Embroidery Floss
Instructions
- Use a teacup or something round to trace out 2 circles on your scrap fabric. My cup was 4 inches across.
- Put your 2 circles with RIGHT sides together. Stitch around the circles with a ¼ inch (6mm) seam and leave a 1 ½ (4cm) gap. Clip around the seam but leave the section where the gap is unclipped.
- Turn the pin cushion right way out and give it a press. Stuff your DIY pin cushion and close the gap with an invisible ladder stitch.
- Knot a piece of embroidery floss and pass the needle through the top center all the way through to the bottom center. Bring the needle up and around to the top again. Repeat until you have 8 segments. Pull the thread tight enough so it gathers just slightly to give a puffy look.
- Knot off the floss and then use the thread to sew a button on top. Knot off and cut the thread.
Author - Luisa Clare
Luisa Clare is the founder of Treasurie, a sewing and crochet education platform offering step-by-step tutorials and printable patterns. With over 15 years of experience in dressmaking, pattern design, crochet, and craft education, she specialises in teaching beginners through clear, easy-to-follow lessons. Her tutorials and patterns are used by home sewists and crocheters worldwide to build practical skills and confidence. Learn more about Luisa and Treasurie.
Thank you for the tutorial. I couldn’t find my old pincushion so very much appreciate your post. My pincushion came out pretty nice. I posted a picture of it on my fb page.
to: Marina: They don’t fall apart. I’ve had my “tomato’ since 1958!!
I love this pincushion pattern because it doesn’t tip over or roll away. The old tomato-style round pincushions with the flat bottoms were always a challenge to keep upright. Thanks so much for this tutorial!
Thanks for the simple and cute pattern. I made mine and I’m enjoying it
It is very cute and easy to make I made it and loved it
Hi Marina, adding an elastic band is a great idea and really easy to do! Just stuff it quite densely so the pins don’t poke all the way through. Thanks for reading.
These pin-cushions are very cute, very similar to mine, which I love because it comes with an elastic wrist band (white elastic, half an inch wide), which is sewn in under the button. I can wear it on my wrist whilst I am pinning fabric and unpinning whilst sewing away at the machine. I didn’t make my pin-cushion, I must say. I bought it a while back, quite cheap, on the sales at the supermarket, of all places. The elastic wrist band would be quite easy to add to your DIY pin-cushion, following your tutorial here (just before adding the button). I find it so useful, I can’t do without it. When this one falls apart, I will follow your tutorial to make myself a new one.