Thursday, December 29, 2016

EPP Diamond Pin Cushion

With the festivities ending, the tree coming down and the waist band expansion...we get start deciding what our next projects might be.  Some of you have jumped in already, others are contemplating what that next move might be.

Me...oh boy do I have ideas!  I just haven't had a chance to jump in...yet!  

Until that happens I thought sharing a 'semi-striped down-EPP-diamond-pincushion-tutorial' might be fun.  I say this because I didn't exactly take notes while making it.  I'll be relying on my memory, such as it is.  



I printed 1" diamond templates on card stock from Incompetech.  You can buy templates for your English Paper Pieced projects or make your own.  Incompetech is a good option especially if you are making some thing small.



You need 12 - 1" diamonds for the top.  I wanted this one to be scrappy, so I picked 12 different fabrics.  Diamonds are a fun shape for EPP and there are a lot of great combinations to be had.



Either method of basting works well, glue or thread.  I usually go for the thread when I baste.
Baste your diamonds and stitch the shapes together.  



For the sides you need six (6) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles.  Baste your rectangles and then stitch them to the sides of the diamond top.  



Next, stitch the sides of the rectangles to create the pin cushion shape. 



Here's where my memory is a little foggy!  A pin cushion has to have a bottom and this one requires a hexagon.  I used a 5" hexagon which allowed for 1/4" seams.  

After removing the paper templates, I turned it inside out.  I pressed 1/4" seam around the entire hexagon making it easy to match up with the sides and keep an accurate seam allowance.  With right sides together, I stitched the bottom to the top on five (5) sides.  

Time to fill and finish!  I used crushed walnut shells for the first time and really like how heavy it was.  I was lucky enough to find one (and only one) bag at a local fabric shop! Thankfully it was just enough.  Do you know that you can get crushed walnut shells at your local pet shop?  I didn't either!



If you are new to English Paper Piecing, there are so many great tutorials out there.  Jodi @Tales Of Cloth has a great series on the basics.  Florence @Flossie Teacakes has a great 'where to begin' post if you are not sure how to start! Two great places to start!



I hope you enjoyed my 'semi-striped down-EPP-diamond-pincushion-tutorial'...such as it is! 

LINKING:

26 comments :

  1. Oh this is so very very awesome. I love it. I wish I could have it. But I have a pin cushion I like, so I don't need yours. But it is awesome. Lucky you.

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  2. Oh, this is a very nice project!
    I'll have to wait a bit, bacause our next project is a big one: my mother is coming to live with us. Nice but hughe project that's taking a lot of time and attention. After january 21 I'll start again ;-)

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  3. Hi Jayne! This is the cutest pin cushion! I need to start finally with my 'Hexagon Shape Family' papers and I think pin cushion is good project for the first one. Happy New Year! x Teje

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  4. That is lovely. Thanks for the tutorial.

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  5. very nice tutorial and amazing pincushion THAT HAPPENS TO LIVE AT MY HOUSE!

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    Replies
    1. It certainly does Jenny! I was hoping if it involved DS…it would be a hit with you!

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  6. What a cute idea. Think I'll make one to have on my ironing board...on my "to make list" for 2017.

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  7. Lovely pincushion. Thanks for the tutorial. I just posted it on my Pinterest board "Sewing Aids"; I hope you don't mind.

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  8. Thanks for sharing. Pincushions are on my list to make in 2017. Happy new year!

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    Replies
    1. Hopefully you can take the time to do just that this year! Make 2017 about you!!!

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  9. My goodness, Jayne. You really do specialize in tiny, don't you! This is the cutest! I'm going to bookmark this to try one of these days.

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  10. Very cute! Thank you for the tutorial, I've bookmarked it!

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  11. Oh my, I love this!!! I'm definitely adding this to my to-make list!!! ❤

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  12. I 've been wanting to try an epp project to see what it's like and this looks like a great idea to start with. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  13. boy, you are braver than I, but this is darling!

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    Replies
    1. Once you get hooked on EPP…there is no going back! It may look complicated, but it’s really very easy and doable!

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  14. Love it. Thank you! I think I'm going to try this. When I had foot surgery last sprint and I was laid up I got the supplies ready to baste a ton of hexagons and I found it very therapeutic. Happy New Year To You! Can't wait to see what you create in 2017.

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  15. Just lovely Jayne, I'm into pincushions as you know but will have to have patience to attempt your one, but I love it all the same.
    Glenis

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  16. This is such a sweet finish, and I love how it's a little tribute to Denyse Schmidt's fabric designs. : )

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  17. So cute ! Thanks a lot for sharing the tutorial.

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  18. Hi, thanks for this tutorial. But aren't the rectangles supposed to be 2" in order to fit the diamonds? I will make one, very cute!

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