• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
TREASURIE
  • FREE PATTERNS
  • Sewing
    • Techniques
    • How to Sew
    • Embroidery
    • Quilting
    • Face Mask
    • Fashion Types
    • Fabric Care
    • Fabric Types
    • Sewing Tools
  • Crochet
  • Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Tie Dye
    • Paper Crafts
    • Paper Mache
    • Cricut
    • Christmas
  • SHOP
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Sewing
  • Patterns
  • Crochet
  • Crafts
  • Shop
search icon
Homepage link
  • Sewing
  • Patterns
  • Crochet
  • Crafts
  • Shop
×

Home » Free Patterns

DIY Pin Cushion - Cute Pincushion Tutorial

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print

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. See the bottom of the article for more DIY pin cushion tutorials.

diy pin cushion
DIY Pin Cushion

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.
Best Pincushion Patterns

More Pincushions

Love making pin cushions? Get the best free pin cushion patterns!

DIY Pin Cushion - The Video

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 VIDEO

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.

DIY Pin Cushion Pattern
DIY Pin Cushion Pattern

Step 2 - Stitch

Put your 2 circles with RIGHT sides together. Stitch around the circles with a ¼ inch (6mm) seam allowance and leave a 1 ½ (4cm) gap.

If you want to hand stitch, use a strong backstitch.

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.

Stitching the DIY Pincushion
Stitching the DIY Pincushion

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.

Close the Gap with a Ladder (Invisible Stitch)
Close the Gap with a Ladder (Invisible 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.

Sewing the Segments of the DIY Pin Cushion
Sewing the Segments of the DIY Pin Cushion

DIY Pin Cushion FAQs

What is the best filling for pincushions?

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.

How to make a pincushion by hand

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

Best Pincushion 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. 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!

DIY Pin Cushion
DIY Pin Cushion

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?

Patch Pin Cushion
pin cushion
Pin Cushion
Felt Pin Cushion
Felt Pin Cushion
mason jar pin cushion
Mason Jar Pincushion
  1. How to Make a Pincushion - Patchwork square-shaped pin cushion
  2. Pincushion Patterns - Felt with an applique sewing machine motif. This pincushion is done in all hand sewing.
  3. Mason Jar Pincushion - Recycle old jars into a stylish pincushion for your workroom.
  4. DIY Pin Cushion - Round pin cushion
diy pin cushion

DIY Pin Cushion

Learn how to make a DIY pin cushion step by step for beginners. Easy pincushion pattern.
4.8/5 - (53 votes)
Print Pin
Difficulty: Easy Beginner
Keyword: Sewing Patterns
Total Time: 28 minutes

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.
    DIY Pin Cushion
  • 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.
    DIY Pin Cushion
  • 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.
    DIY Pin Cushion
  • 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.
    segment the diy pin cushion
  • Knot off the floss and then use the thread to sew a button on top. Knot off and cut the thread.
4.8/5 - (53 votes)

More Free Sewing Patterns & Tutorials

  • Fabric Bowl Cover Pattern
    Fabric Bowl Cover Pattern - Easiest Methods
  • How to Make a Potholder, How to Make Potholders Featured Image
    How to Make Potholders - Easiest Free Potholder Pattern
  • Bowl Cozy Pattern
    Bowl Cozy Pattern - Soup Bowl Cozy Pattern , FREE PDF Template
  • How to Make an Apron
    How to Make an Apron - Free Apron Pattern PDF Adult & Kids

Bestselling Sewing Patterns

  • Girls Dress Pattern
  • Dress Pattern
  • Bodysuit Pattern
  • Skirt Pattern
  • Bloomers Pattern
  • Hat Pattern
  • Girls Dress Pattern
  • Dress Pattern
  • Bodysuit Pattern
  • Skirt Pattern
  • Bloomers Pattern
  • Hat Pattern

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Susan

    December 13, 2021 at 7:40 pm

    to: Marina: They don't fall apart. I've had my "tomato' since 1958!!

  2. Lori Duckworth

    November 06, 2020 at 12:31 pm

    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!

  3. Pempho Katanga

    September 26, 2019 at 8:08 pm

    Thanks for the simple and cute pattern. I made mine and I'm enjoying it

  4. jenny

    June 22, 2019 at 7:04 am

    It is very cute and easy to make I made it and loved it

  5. treasurie

    June 29, 2017 at 10:33 pm

    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.

  6. Marina

    June 29, 2017 at 9:54 pm

    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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Pattern Shop

Newsletter

loader

Popular

  • Face Mask Pattern 
  • How to Make Cushion Covers 
  • Burp Cloth Pattern – 3 Styles
  • How to Make a Scrunchie {2 sizes}
  • How to Make a Pillowcase
  • 6 Best Seam Finishes for Fabric
  • How to Gather
  • How to Make Curtains
  • How to Make a Quilt
  • How to Tie Dye
  • Sewing Machine Brands
  • How to Make a Scrunchie
  • How to Sew a Rip
  • How to Make Tassels
  • Types of Skirts
  • Sewing Projects for Beginners
  • Fabric Names

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy/Copyright
  • Sewing Pattern Shop
  • Printing Help
  • Disclaimers/Affiliate/Advertising
  • Site Map

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Popular

  • How to Sew
  • How to Embroider
  • How to Crochet
  • Fashion Styles
  • How to Macrame
  • How to Knit
  • How to Tie Dye

Copyright © 2022 Treasurie. All rights reserved.