Some projects are born out of necessity, and others are born out of pure joy — these Sit ’n Sew Pincushions are a little bit of both. After finishing my Spinning Snowflakes quilts and the Fall Acorn Quilt (a layout option in the Cake Stand Quilt Pattern), I found myself with the sweetest pile of leftover scraps. Instead of tucking them away, I turned them into a series of Sit ’n Sew Pincushions — quick, satisfying makes that celebrate colour, texture, and the beauty of using what you already have.
These little pinnies have become essential tools in my sewing practice. I keep one at my sewing machine, one on my ironing board, one in my travel sewing kit, and one beside my sofa for hand quilting and binding. They’re practical, adorable, and endlessly customizable — making them wonderful for everyday sewing, thoughtful handmade gifting, and creative colour exploration alike.
If you’re looking for a fast, fun project that lets you play with fabric while creating something truly useful, the Sit ’n Sew Pincushion Pattern is a wonderful place to start.
Today I’m covering:
- Why pincushions are perfect scrap-busting projects
- Ideas for colour play and fabric selection
- Ways to use them in your sewing practice
- Handmade gift inspiration
- Supplies you’ll need to make your own
Let’s dive in!
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Why Sit ’n Sew Pincushions Are the Perfect Scrap Project
Is your scrap bin anything like mine: chock full and overflowing?!
No matter how many scrappy bits I sneak into my quilty projects, I can’t seem to put a dent in those bins. I joke that they’re the never-ending scrap bins – lol.
But the good thing about having so many scraps is knowing that you’ve got fabric ready to be stitched up. This is exactly what I was thinking when I decided to dip into some fabric scraps leftover from making my Spinning Snowflakes quilts and the Fall Acorn quilt.
You know those small pieces you love too much to toss? They’re wonderful for the Sit ‘n Sew Pinnies😊
Plus, I always find these smaller projects are such a fun way to explore colour play. After all, you’ve already used them in a previous project, so now’s your chance to see how they play off one another in a different quilted project.
Did I mention they’re super fast, satisfying and low-pressure to make? Win-win-win in my quilty books!
How I Used My Quilt Leftovers
To help get you inspired and your creative juices flowing, I thought I’d share a few examples of recent Sit ‘n Sew Pinnies I made featuring scraps leftover from patterned projects.
First up is this earthy and texture-centric pinnie featuring scraps leftover from making the linen and wovens Spinning Snowflakes quilt. This quilt was gifted, so I loved the idea of having a Sit ‘n Sew Pincushion that would help me remember all the colours I featured in that quilt.
In fact, I didn’t stop there, as I was super curious about seeing the brighter, bolder colours I featured in the cover quilt for the Spinning Snowflakes quilt pattern. That combination of red and pink with ombré shades of turquoise is just chefs kiss.
For something a little more colour-focused, I opted to dive into the scraps that remained after making the fall Acorn quilt and baby Cake Stand quilt. What I loved most about this colour play was seeing how the different pairings could lean more autumn-focused or a little more summer brights depending on how I paired them up. Love when you have lots of colour play options to explore from just one fabric scrap source 😉
The best part in all of this is that there’s no right or wrong to your colour play. Whatever captivates your interest is a sign that you’re on the right track!
Why They’re the Ideal Sewing Companion
I have a philosophy when it comes to kitchen gadgets – I’m not a big fan – ha! Tools that only have one purpose are not my favourite. I have a similar ethos when it comes to my sewing notions. Which is why I love the Sit ‘n Sew Pinnie as it’s super versatile. Here are a few reasons why they’re the ideal sewing companion
I have one at the sewing machine, which ensures I always have my most-used notions right at my fingertips.
There’s one sitting on my ironing board so that I always have easy access to a pair of scissors, a seam ruler, and a point turner. I can’t tell you the number of times this has saved me from going on the hunt for one of those notions 😊
I also keep one stocked in my travel sewing kit. It’s happened to me before that I was on the road and temporarily misplaced a needle while sitting on someone’s couch – eek. I was horrified. I’ve since solved that problem – ha!
Since my favourite place to bind my quilts is sitting on the sofa, I always have one on the table next to where I sit. It means I’m always ready for binding or hand quilting action 😉
The best part is that for such a simple notion, it helps keep my workflow smooth and organized. Plus, it always helps reduce clutter, which I’m a big proponent of.
Why Sit ’n Sew Pincushions Make Amazing Handmade Gifts
In need of a handmade gift? Look no further than the Sit ‘n Sew Pincushion. I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve gifted one to my sewing friends.
What makes them ideal is that they’re:
- Quick to sew
- Scrap‑friendly
- Personalizable
- Great stocking stuffers
- Lovely for guild swaps, sewing friends, teachers, etc.
Honestly, the lovely notes I’ve received from recipients are proof of just how much these cuties are loved.
Tips for Choosing Fabrics for Your Pincushions
The best part is that you can have fun with the fabric selection. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore:
- Contrast vs. cohesion
- Playing with scale
- Using linen or textured solids
- Fussy cutting opportunities
- Seasonal colourways
- Trying new quilting motifs
I can’t tell you the number of ideas I’ve explored by making these little cuties. The creative possibilities are just endless.
A Peek Inside the Sit ’n Sew Pincushion Pattern
When I first started sewing (even before quilting), I was making these. I loved the idea of having handmade sewing notions that used my scraps and was also functional. Pretty and practical that’s typically what I’m after 😉
While the design evolved over the years to incorporate quilted panels, they still remain beginner‑friendly. I wanted you to be able to make your own no matter where you were in your sewing adventures. This is why the pattern includes step‑by‑step instructions, with lots of graphics so you can see exactly what your pinnie should look like at each step.
While the pattern includes instructions for a specific layout that feature scrap-friendly dimensions, you can totally deviate (as I did in the examples above) and just have fun with playing with small compositions. That makes them endlessly customizable!
They’re so satisfying to batch sew. In fact, that’s exactly what I did for the last series of pinnies I made. It meant that I kept the flow consistent and wasn’t jumping around between steps. All of them were pieced together at the same time, then quilted, then filled, then sewn shut. It took a little longer since I was working on several at once, but it was perfect for sneaking in while working on larger projects. Sometimes you just need a palate cleanser – ha!
You can find the Sit ‘n Sew Pincushion pattern ready for instant download here.
Supplies Needed for DIY Sit ’n Sew Pincushions
To make your own Sit ‘n Sew Pincushions, here’s what you’ll need:
- Sit ‘n Sew Pincushion Pattern
- Fabric scraps – perfect for using up scraps leftover from previous patterned projects!
- Batting scraps (yes – an ideal scrap-busting project for batting leftovers!)
- Sewing Machine – read why I love it here
- Piecing Thread
- Quilting Thread, I used a few different colours to coordinate or enhance the fabric selection, including: Light Salmon, Red, and Golden Sand.
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Iron
- Wool pressing mat – use code SHANNONFRASER15 to save 15% on your small, medium, or large wool pressing mat at thefeltstore.ca or thefeltstore.com.
- Filler of choice – this is similar to my go-to
- Embroidery scissors
- Needle for hand sewing (to close your pinnie up!)
- Thread gloss (optional, but helps keep knots at bay)
- Coordinating thread for sewing the opening shut, including: Light Salmon, Red, and Golden Sand.
- Thimble
You can find all my most loved sewing notions here.
For more quilty inspiration, check out:
Ready to Stitch Your Own Sit ’n Sew Pincushion?
There’s something incredibly satisfying about turning the smallest scraps into something both beautiful and useful. These little Sit ’n Sew Pincushions have become such a joyful part of my sewing practice — not only because they help keep my favourite notions close at hand, but because each one holds memories of past projects, favourite fabrics, and creative experiments.
Whether you’re looking to organize your sewing space, explore new colour combinations, use up treasured scraps, or create a thoughtful handmade gift, these little pinnies are such a fun project to keep in your creative rotation.
And honestly? Once you make one, it’s hard to stop 😊
If you make your own Sit ’n Sew Pincushion, I’d absolutely love to see it. Be sure to tag me on Instagram at @shannonfraserdesigns so I can cheer on your beautiful creations!
xo
Shannon
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