Citrus Pincushion Tutorial (Free Template Included!)

Lot's of birthday preparations are going on at my house these days.  Can you guess the theme of the party?  (This year's party is set to be just as colorful as last years)  I can't wait to show you all the details, but for now I'm just showing you a sneak peak in the form of this tutorial for citrus pincushions!

These little guys are super easy to make and would make great gifts. Better yet, they are a great fabric stash buster!  Don't feel like you have to stick with plain colors as prints look great too!

I've provided the template for free--for you to use for your own personal use. If you use my template(s) to make anything from my blog I'd love it if you'd send me a photo or tag it on instagram with #snugglebuguniversity so I can see your finished projects!

Let's get started!!

What you'll need:

• The template:  Either print out the template located at the bottom of this post or download the template from my pattern shop 
• Felt for the triangles on the citrus slice and leaf
• Lightweight fabric scraps (such as quilting cotton) for the main body of the pincushion
• A few inches of ribbon to create a loop for the pincushion
• Basic sewing supplies

A few more things:
-1/4 inch seam allowances are included in the template as needed.
-Print out the template on 8.5 x 11 inch paper

Alright, let's get started!  Cut out all of your pieces:

Pin the triangles in place.

When positioning the triangles, it helps to fold the pincushion in half in order to better visualize it...(The other side of the pincushion doesn't get any triangles, but you could easily add them if you'd like).  Sew the triangles on by stitching closely around the triangle edges.

Next, you're going to attach the base of the citrus slice.  Pin as shown below, making sure that the right sides are together.  Sew.

When you are done it should look like this:

Now you're going to pin and sew the other side of the base to the other half of the main body of the pincushion.  Sew as before, making sure that you don't catch the other side of the pincushion in your stitch.  Make sure that you leave one end open so that you can turn it right-side out!

Here's what it should look like once you've turned it right-side out:

Time to add a little bit of poly-fil.  (I actually don't over stuff mine... I think they look better if they aren't bulging).

Fold the corners in and pin.  I slip my ribbon in here too, so that it gets incorporated into my seam.

Use the ladder stitch to close up the opening by hand:

If you are unfamiliar with the ladder stitch, it's basically running your needle through the folded region, going from one side to the other.  Make sure you also go through the ribbon to secure it.

Finally just do a quick stitch to tack on the leaves, which are folded in half over each side of the slice.

Easy peasy, right?  I can't wait to see your own variations of it!!  So much fun.  

I shared this project on Sew Can She's "Show off Saturday."  Click on the button below for more great projects in this link party!

And if you like this post...you might like my companion post...on how to make fruit shaped pins to go with these pin cushions!!