In my ongoing quest to cute-up the dull, it’s time to attack the wrist pincushion. Who wrote the law that wrist pincushions must be ugly and uncomfortable? Did it begin with the red-plastic snap-on variety of my mother’s generation; in our excitement for the advent of plastic, did we take things too far?** Or were we torturing ourselves long before then?
True, there have been some commercial attempts to add personality to the plain old pincushions of the past: gingham hearts, lavendar daisies and so forth. With a lack of alternatives, I might prefer painful-to-wear over painful-to-look-at.
I’ll take a stab at pretty.
Here, I’ve taken my new free pattern, Spring Violets (announced in our May newsletter) and adapted it to the cause. For the wrist band, I cut two rectangles of felt, 1.5″ x 7.25″ and 2″ x 7.25″. (Measure your wrist to make sure this works for you — allow overlap for a velcro closure.)
With hot glue, I attached a thin circle of wood at the center of the wider felt band and pinked the edges of the felt. I then layered the smaller felt band on top, enclosing the wooden disc. I edge-stitched the bands together around the perimeter, then attached velcro at each end as a closure. Lastly, I whip-stitched the Spring Violets in place above the wooden disc. The flowers are attached to a small, stuffed tuffet (see pattern) which is perfect for pins. The wooden disc keeps your wrist whole-not-holey. (Check the woodcraft section of your local craft store.)
Click here to download the flower instructions. Let me know if you have any questions. Looking for felt? We’ve got plenty of that.
** However uncomfortable, I am totally nostalgic for those clamp-on red pincushions. Even though my mom usually kept pins between her teeth, she always wore a ratty red wrist-cushion covered with a rainbow of threaded needles.
I’m always sticking the pins in my teeth too– with the tape measure around my neck! This is a way more stylish solution–and much safer I might add!
This adorable and such a nice looking upgrade from the red clamp-on type(of which I have several).
Enjoy your day!
Those red plastic wristband itch me like crazy and fall off every five minutes. But I love the idea. So this is perfect. Hmmm, maybe I should make a couple of extras for my sewing friends.
What a pretty pin cushion! I always love your clever ideas. =)
So cute, I need one of those!
Very cute, love it! Definitely a good idea to make a pretty version of those things.
What a clever and lovely idea! Thank you!
I lovvve this pin-cushion!! Thank you for sharing the pattern! you’re the best! ♥♥♥
Thanks! And it’s easy to make too. Send me photos when you finish yours up.
All his talk about the old red wrist pincushions is making me miss my grandma.
I have made all of your pin cushions and love them all. I can’t wait to make one of these. Love the colors! Thanks for the pattern and info.
I love it!
I invite you take a look at my version…
http://colourdujour.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/finish-it-fast-sewing/
Love it (:)
hugs-patty
Beautiful, and of course, SO clever 🙂 OK, now I want one 🙂
I LOVE this!!!
Oh wow, I just love this! So beautiful!!!
A clear evident of your creativity.
So beautiful creation.
Cassy from How To Strum A Guitar
I absolutely ADORE this! Thank you so much!!
This is beautiful. How it should be when creating beautiful things, right?
Such a beautiful pincushion… Makes me want to take on sewing 🙂
Your designs are so lovely, and I’ve just stumbled upon this blog, but I love it already and can’t wait to see more of your creations.
That is so, so cute! What a lovely idea.
I just love the way of your working! Thanks for everything. Brilliant post!
I’ve just stumbled upon this blog, but I love it already and can’t wait to see more of your creations.