A few years ago I learned to make these pincushion threadcatchers from a friend. We didn't have a pattern, so later when I wanted to make more, I had to re-create the instructions. I posted the instructions several years ago on a previous blog, but thought they were worth sharing again.More later.
Pin-cushion threadcatcher
Materials:
Two or three coordinating fabrics, plus muslin
Sand, rice or ground walnut shells to fill pincushion
Plastic (package strapping), tubing (from plumbing section at hardware store) or thick interfacing (peltex)
Cut as follows: (A)
Pincushion, one of coord fabric and one muslin -- 6.5 by 8.5
Straps, one of coord fabric, 6.5 by 3.5
Bag, one each of two coord fabric, 10 by 17.5Straps:
Fold fabric along length, right sides together. Pin and stitch along length, leaving ends open. Turn, press and cut in half.
Pincushion:
Layer coord fabric on top of muslin, right side up. Place straps on one short end, with raw ends even with edge and stretching toward center of fabric. Fold in half across width, enclosing straps. Coord fabric will be right sides together, with muslin on outside. Pin. (B) Stitch from fold one inch on one side, leave gap for turning, then stitch remaining open sides, backstitching when crossing straps, for reinforcement. Turn right side out. (C)
Threadcatcher bag:
Separately, fold each coord piece in half across width. With fold on left, pin right side and bottom. On lining, stitch one inch at top of side, leave gap for turning, then stitch remainder of side and bottom. On exterior of bag, stitch entire side and bottom. (D)
With seams still on outside, flatten bottom to side and pin about 2 inches from corner, forming “ear” at each end of bottom seam. Pin both corners of both lining and bag. Stitch across pinned ears, creating flattened bottom. Cut off “ears.” (E)
Turn so side seam becomes back. Pin straps with raw edges even with raw edge of bag, one strap to either side of back seam. (F)
Turn exterior of bag with seams out. Turn lining to seams on inside. Match seam and pin around top. Raw edges of seams should be visible on both bag and lining. Pincushion and straps will be hidden between bag and lining.(G)
Stitch all the way around top, backstitching when crossing straps.
Using gap in lining, turn right side out, then arrange lining inside bag. (H, I, J)
Using gap in lining, thread in plastic/tubing or .5 width of Peltex to hold bag open. (K) Run stiffener all the way around the top, pinning to hold against seam. Stitch around bag top below stiffener. (L)
Pull lining out, pin together edges of gap and stitch closed.
Fill pincushion with sand, etc., then stitch closed.
