QUILTsocial Issue 4

Pin Cushion Compote Template cut 4 add 1⁄4" seam allowance Pin cushion Compote © QUILTsocial Nancy Devine Pretty and practical pin cushion will help decorate the table top. For the pin cushion, I used a small vintage milk glass compote I found at a thrift store. These are usually readily available. The “lacy” decoration around the edge is a great place to store scissors. I used the scraps from my stash of precious sewing themed fabrics. •• Add a 1⁄4" seam allowance to the template provided and cut two quarter circles from different fabric scraps. •• Sew two together using a 1⁄4" seam allowance. Sew the other two together, and join the half circles together. Press all the seam allowances open. shopping list fabric scraps snipping scissors thick white glue fiber fill Sew Smooth thread conditioner upholstery thread •• Zig zag around the resulting circle using a narrow stitch. Thread a hand sewing needle with some upholstery thread. Place a dot of Sew Smooth thread conditioner on your forefinger and run the thread between your thumb and forefinger. The conditioner will enable the thread to glide through the fabric without tangling. •• Sew around the circle with a running stitch about 1⁄4" from the edge. •• Pull up the gathering threads until there is a 2" diameter opening at the bottom. Stuff firmly with fiber fill. Move the stuffing around, evening out and to plump up the gathered areas as much as possible. •• When the cushion is firmly stuffed, run another line of gathering stitches near the previous ones and pull up on them until the hole at the bottom is quite small. Tie off the thread three or four times. •• Place the cushion in the dish. Use a hot iron and a lot of steam to press the cushion into the dish. •• This will help fiber fill flatten slightly, and further fill in any gathers. •• Use thick white glue to cover the inside of the dish and place the cushion inside. Weight the cushion down into the dish with a heavy book until the glue dries. •• Decorate with pretty pins. •• Add your small snipping scissors. Use thread conditioner to make gathering the circle easier. Cute, right? 17

QUILTsocial Issue 4 | Page 17