Long Scrappy Pincushion Free Pattern

Happy Tuesday! Today I have a little tutorial for this long scrappy pincushion to share with you!

I made this long pincushion from scraps last week for the front of my sewing machine. When I sat down to make something, I had no idea what. I knew I needed to make a scrap project and I spent a couple minutes looking around for problems I could solve. I looked down and the gently used needles sticking out of my machine mat were staring me in the face (picture above, ick!). It's not a great spot for them and it collects dust really fast. So, I figured a low-profile pincushion sitting there would look nicer and function better too.

This project was made entirely from scraps, including the batting and interfacing! It's perfect for using up those long skinny batting scraps that you end up with after trimming down a quilt. I made mine using the quilt as you go (QAYG) method, but you can just as easily sew the pieces together in a long strip and then quilt it all at once. Totally up to you!


Have questions about making pincushions? Check out my All About Pincushions post.

Sewing Level: Beginner Friendly
Finished Size: 1.5"x16"

Materials:
- (8) 2"x2" squares of print fabric
- (2) 2"x2.5" rectangles of print fabric for ends
- (1) 2"x16.5" strip of backing fabric
- (1) 2"x16.5" strip of lightweight interfacing
- 4"x18" batting scrap
- Pincushion filling (I used crushed walnut shells.)

Looking for supplies? Check out my Pattern Supplies and Resources post.

Instructions:
*Use a 1/4" seam allowance unless otherwise noted.*


1. Arrange print squares and rectangles in a single row, with the rectangle pieces at each end.


2. Place the first rectangle piece right sides up on your batting scrap. Using a walking foot, quilt the scrap in place.

3. Place the first square right sides down on top of the quilted rectangle, lining up the short edges. Sew along the matched edge with a 1/4" seam allowance.


Press square away from the quilted rectangle. Quilt in place.

Continue in this way with the remaining squares, ending with the other rectangle piece.


4. Trim the quilted piece down to 2"x16.5". You may find that your piece is a little less than 16.5" long, due to seam allowances being slightly larger or shrinking from the quilting, that's okay! Just trim it down to size and trim the backing/interfacing too.

5. Apply interfacing to the backing piece according to the manufacturer's instructions.


6. Place pincushion top and backing right sides together, clipping or pinning around all four edges.

7. Sew around all four edges, leaving about a 2" opening in the center of one long side. I find this makes turning easier than leaving the opening at one of the ends.


8. Trim the seam allowance to 1/8" at the corners.

9. Press opening seam open, to make closing the opening easier. Turn pincushion right sides out. Use a wooden chopstick or turning tool to help.


10. Fill pincushion with desired filling.


11. Using a hand sewing needle and matching thread, stitch the opening closed.

All done!


Hope you enjoyed the tutorial! If you make a pincushion, please tag me on Instagram! I'm @jenib320 and my hashtag is #jenibaker.

Happy Sewing!