Big Stitch Hand Quilted Pin Cushion

Ever need to break free and just have a fun sewing session? Well, this is exactly what this adorable big stitch hand-quilted pincushion was all about for me! A fun, no hassle, give things a trim and just go with my gut kind of a sewing session.

That’s what today’s post is all about – sewing for the fun of it, and using up your fabric scraps!

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The story behind the big stitch hand-quilted pincushion

It all started back in the fall of 2016 when I designed my Playtime quilt. I had some little scraps left over that just kept calling my name. They were so cute and so irresistible I just had to stitch them up.

Quilting without a plan

There was absolutely no plan!

I just grabbed my little scraps and started sewing them in pairs. Then I sewed the pairs together. I thought they needed a little frame, and so I added the top and bottom strips.

• It was simple.
• It was carefree.
• And it made me ridiculously happy!

I added it to my design wall (learn how to make your own in this tutorial) and that’s where my little patchwork sat for…months.

Mulling my quilty options!

I would look at it and think “oh, such a cutie! What am I going to do with you?”. Yes, I talk to my blocks! Don’t tell me I’m the only one?! 😉

I couldn’t fathom how I was going to use her up. Would I create more just like her? Or add her into some sort of larger scrappy quilt?

And then, last week in the midst of lots of pattern testing, I just needed some fun sewing. I needed to break out of all the quilting math and precisely following instructions and just let loose – quilty style.

The little patchwork caught my eye and had me wanting to create a project that would just focus on her simplicity; on the sheer joy that little block was giving me. That’s how this little pin cushion got started!

Adding texture with big stitch hand quilting

I decided to add some texture and detail with some bit stitch hand quilting detail using 12wt Aurifil thread in the colour Pale Pink #2410.

On the back side, I stitched together some linen scraps and added some more big stitch hand-quilting details there. Using 12wt Aurifil thread in the colour Pale Pink on the beige linen and DMC pearl cotton thread #8 in the colour Ecru on the coral linen.

Finishing details

From there, it was just a matter of stitching the front and back together, leaving a little opening for the filling. I finally got to use some of the crushed walnut shells I bought wayyy back in early 2016! Plus I added some small cotton batting scraps to give her a soft pillowy feel. Not sure if that is even appropriate or whether it will dull my needles, but it seemed more in line with a scrappy project than pulling out some fresh poly fill. Ever tried that yourself? Let me know if there is a reason it shouldn’t be done.

For all my top tips on making your own pincushions, check out the DIY Pincushion Tutorial.

I really don’t need this pincushion, but it’s currently sitting on my sewing table bringing me immense joy! What can I say, it’s yet another example of how it’s the little things that mean the most.

All in all, for me, the moral of the story is that sometimes your creative soul just needs a fun, impromptu sewing session to let your creativity shine through. And that’s what this cute big stitch hand-quilted pincushion meant for me!

I would love to hear about an unplanned project that has brought you tremendous joy and reminded you of the importance of just having fun!

Happy quilting my friends!

xo

Shannon

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