Pin 'n Clip Cushion (photo tutorial)

I made a number of pin cushions, and put them at different locations in my studio.  

A pin cushion by the sewing machine, at the layout table, and the ironing station.  

Because I make weighted pin cushions--they are great for using 2-3-4 at a time to weight a quilt on the layout table so the quilt doesn't slip and fall off the table when I am trimming and squaring prior to installing binding.  My queen size quilts are  92 x 104 and weigh about 7 lbs.

I am late to the game using clips instead of pins.  I see lots of reasons to use them, especially when sewing vinyl, or bulk upholstery fabrics to build purses.  No finger picks, for sure!

Photo above is Step 1 - Cut two 7" squares.  

Step 2 - Divide 1 of the red squares diagonally.  Set aside.

Step 3 - Cut a strip of fabric 2" wide.

Step 4 - from the 2" wide strip, cut 7" lengths.

Then, take one of the 7" strips and turn edges 1/2" and press.  The strip is now 6" long.

Step 5 - Fold strip in half lengthwise, and Press the 6" strip 

Step 6 - Lay the 6" strip on top of

the diagonal cut of one of the red triangles.

Step 7 - Place the other red triangle on top.  Stitch 1/4" along the diagonal.

Step 8 - At left, press open.  We are calling this unit "the top".  The top unit at this point will measure 6" square.

Step 9 - 

Place the top unit evenly on top of the other red square.

Step 10 - on 1 side, with a pen make two marks 3" apart.   The 3" opening will make it possible to turn the pin cushion right side out and to stuff it.

Step 11 - stitch 1/4" around the perimeter, except for the 3" opening.

Trim excess fabric, and be sure to leave the 1/4" seam allowance.

Turn pin cushion right side out.

Step 12 - Press the pin cushion

I fill the 3" opening of the pin cushion with 12 tablespoons of crushed walnut shells, (or fill pin cushion half-full).  You may substitute dry rice, or dry beans instead of crushed walnut shells.

Good News About Walnut Shells: bagged crushed walnut shells are available from your pet supply store (reptile bedding material).  Walnut shells add weight, and also keep pins sharp.  

The remaining area of the bag can be filled with fabric trimming scraps, polyester toy stuffing, or hand torn whifs of cotton batting.  

I closed the 3" opening by hand sewing with needle and matching thread.  A whip stitch will do.  Because I am using a finer crushed walnut fill-I stitch the 3" opening TWICE.  

Here is the finished weighted pin n clip cushion.

Other designs on the internet: I especially like the longer rectangle, several strips of fabric were sewn into multiple seams. 

Look at this great mini pin cushion made out of wool.  I probably is attached with sticky adhesive velcro tabs.  I love it!

Out of the Box 1952, queen size quilt

Out of the Box 1952, queen size quilt

One solid week of rain.  Lots of mud in the driveway, which is also the path to my sewing studio.  With all the mud--I was mopping the studio floor every day.  Enough of that!

Last week I took my 400+ pile of 3.5" squares to the dining room in the house and began to sew.

I sewed  the 3.5" squares into  (100+ ) 4-patch blocks.  All of the squares were leftovers from the last two quilts: "Stay In Your Own Lane" and "Seeing Red".    DH Jon picked out the neutral sashing fabric.

Waiting for the driveway to dry up a bit--I was able to piece four rows of the quilt at my dining room table.  The dining room light isn't the best, and photographs differently than in the studio. 

Finally, I was able to return to the sewing studio to finish the quilt assembly.  9 blocks per row, 10 rows. Natural daylight in the studio shows the real colors.

I offered these 2 photos to a client, asking her which one of these fabrics she likes best for the backing fabric.  She chose the soft botanical fabric on the right, and it is incorporated into the border as well.

How I decided the working title for this quilt.  The 4-patch blocks reminded me of boxes (not hard to see that).  And then . . . 

I came across a 1952 photo of me.  Great grandma put me in a box, balanced on a metal stool, to take my picture.  In the background is grandpa at the door, ready to save me if I got to moving around too much in the box during the photo shoot.   Seeing this photo--gave me a working title for my quilt: Out of the Box 1952.  Maybe I should have called it, "I Stayed In the Box 1952".

Other Items I Sewed During the Week:  

3 hand -sewn collapsible scrappy thread catchers.  A purse--now ready to add 6/0 bead embellishments, and an example of one of 10 face masks I made.  I gave some to the neighbors, and to my MIL Betty and her friend.  Some for Jon and me.  Extras for friends.

Each face mask takes 14" of 1/4" flat elastic for ear loops  x 10 masks = 140 inches.  Divided by 36" = just under 4 yards of elastic.  I was surprised how easy it is to blow through all the elastic I had on hand.  

I ordered another 70 yards, but delivery won't happen until May 1.  I've given some thought to making "around the head straps featuring tabs of velcro.  I have lots of velcro.  I don't know if it will work--but I will try.

Also in the photo, at the left--you can see an annual stock report-booklet filled with tissue-like pages.  I was going to use the pages for a paper mache project, but I've changed my mind.  

The stock market may have faded, but I will use the pages as foundation piecing for fabric strips--to build a strong vibrant string quilt.  I shall call it, "Crazy Little String Called Love."  

Be strong in the days ahead.  Be well.  Wash thy hands often.