Pin cushions are one of my favorite projects for using up scraps. Foundation-paper-piecing these adorable Square in a Square blocks help create perfectly accurate points for all of those intersecting squares. Pin cushions make the perfect gift for a fellow quilter or friend who sews.
I used foundation paper piecing to make these traditional Square in a Square blocks using this template I found on Pinterest. I copied the diagram and resized it to the size I wanted (in this case 4″ x 4″).
(Click here for a good introduction to Foundation Paper Piecing.)
I then filled them with crushed walnut shells from my local pet shop. I love that they give the pin cushion some stability and weight. (My kids saw the receipt after school one day and got their hopes up that I had finally bought a pet. I’m such a lame mom.)
If you like to read quilting blogs, you may have seen a slew of adorable pincushions over the past month. If you like to read quilting blogs, you have also, no doubt, heard of Amanda Jean aka the wonderful Crazy Mom Quilts.
I still remember when I discovered blogs in general about 8 years ago. And then I discovered there were quilting blogs and I felt like I’d found a bunch of new best friends! One of my favorites from the very beginning was Crazy Mom Quilts. And that hasn’t changed! Not only am I always inspired by her cheerful, scrappy, happy quilts, but I just love Amanda Jean’s voice. She has a gift for being so real and upbeat and encouraging and funny – she really makes you feel like you’re one of her good friends – and she’s just as genuine in person.
To celebrate the arrival of her first fabric collection, Amanda Jean has organized a parade of pincushions all made from a Good Neighbors charm pack. Which is so perfect because I have been inspired by Amanda Jean’s cute collection of pincushions forever. I was so excited to finally have the motivation to make some myself. So I didn’t stop at just one.
Go here to see all of the pincushions in the Good Neighbors party, with links to each one.
As part of the party, I also have a charm pack of Good Neighbors to give away! Just leave a comment on this post to enter to win. Enjoy!
Winner: Cathy
Love Amanda’s colors! Looks like you had fun with her fabrics too! Thanks for the op to win some more pretty fabric! Lol!
Lisa Marie
So cute! I’ve been enjoying all the fun pincushions on the hop.
Suellen Franze
Count me in! I love those fabrics!
Hayley
Cute pinnies! I have to make some of my own. My poor pincushion is full! I’m intrigued by the walnut shells. I’ve read of people using them but I’ve never seen them
Julia
I’ve been a follower of hers for years too! But I also follow you! I can’t wait to order this fabric bundle – and extra yardage of the low volume prints. They are just perfect!
NorahS
Your pIncursions are so cute! I do lobe this fabric!
Lee
Such a sweet line of fabric! Love you pincushion – thank you!
Janice
Such a fun fabric line! I will definitely have to add some to my stash! Your pin cushions look great!
Susan
Just saw the Good Neighbors line in the Connecting Threads catalog—so cute! I love the happy colors!
Valerie
I love this collection and connecting threads is a great company. I’ve purchased 3 or 4 times from them and I’m always happy with the quality.
kellylynn
Love the pin cushions! And the fabric is lovely
Kris P
These pincushions are so cute! The fabrics are adorable.
Renea
I love to make pincushions and I seem to be collecting them. Thanks for the giveaway.
Laurie ruttle
I love Amanda Jean and her beautiful fabrics. Wonderful pin cushion too 🙁
Laurie ruttle
?
Karen @runsewfun
Great colors and great prints. I think this line will live forever.
Desi
Cute
Joan B.
I love Crazy Mom Quilts and Connecting Threads! Good Neighbors looks wonderful in their latest catalog. I would be thrilled to win some! I might even make a pin cushion!
Marla
Love your pincushions and this cheerful line of fabric!
Stacey
Yay for Amanda Jean!! Love the pincushions!!
Barbara Bailey
What a little beauty! I’m making one! Would love s charm pack to make more. Thanks for the chance.
Allison Erb
Such a cute fabric line, and I love all the pincushions! I’ve been inspired to make some myself!
Jamie
Hers is one of my favorite blogs too! We have a cat your kids can have. My husband will gladly pay the airfare to Utah;)
Ellyn
love your pincushion! these fabrics are so adorable
Anita
Love all the pincushions i have seen in this blog hop!
Amanda Jean’s fabric line is amazing!
Joyce Carter
SO cute! Love this line of fabric. Thanks for the giveaway.
Quilting Tangent
Cute square inside a square pincushion. Like how the squares just get smaller and smaller.
Lori
Crazy Mom was one of my first blog discoveries also. Love this new line. Love your fussy cut flower in the middle. Thanks for the drawing.
Jackie
I am absolutely loving this fabric!! Now to decide how much of it I NEED in my stash! ? Great pincushions! I need to remember to get crushed walnut shells.
Ashley
I love this idea for a blog hop! What great eye candy!
Barbara Bailey
Such a happy little pin cushion, must make a few for myself and friends!
Carla
Your pincushions are beautiful as are your photos ; )
paige
I love CrazyMomQuilts! She was the first blog I started following. I also LOVE your pincushions and how perfect your center squares are! Adorable.
Lori
Cute pincushions! I love reading your blog.
Janet Beyea
Your pincushion is adorable! I also bought a bag of crushed walnuts from the pet store. You’ve inspired me to make some pincushions.
Ariel
So cute! (the fabric and the pincushions) 🙂
Amy
Oh my goodness, that collection is beautiful! I need pincushions, and now I have a great way to use up all those scraps I can’t bear to get rid of!
Michelle n
I love this collection! She did a fabulous job on it. And your pincushions turned out adorable. I especially like the pop of red on the outside of the blue centered one. I might have to jump on the pincushion wagon!
Nena
Your color selections are lovely!
Diane W
What pretty fabric! Cheerful stuff.
Betsy
Loving all the pincushions on the tour.
Cynthia Brunz
I already placed a small order for some of these fabrIcs. Love them!
Ioleen
I am enjoying all the pin cushions being shared at this party. Love the colours you used.
Elaine Papworth
Cutest. Fabrics. Ever. HUGS, Amy! <3
Gale W.
Beautiful fabric…..Amanda Jean is so talented. I love your pincushion!
Kelly P
I love this fabric line! Just ordered some for myself! 😉
gigi voegeli
Super cute!
Susan K
Cute pincushions! Your poor deprived children with no pet. 😉 We have a cat and fish – not so sure I’d want a pet that needed the crushed walnut shells.
linda
HI, neat little Pin cushions! Thanks to you for sharing!
Carol
I would love a charm pack. Your discussions are very cute.
Carol
Cute discussions? I meant cute pin cushions of course!
Teresa @Aurea's Kitchen
Who doesn’t love a pincushion? And some free fabric?
Thanks
Jennie
I love the fabric it lends itself to small items and background colors. The pin cushions have all been delightful too.
Judy
Great pincushions, thanks for the giveaway!
Emma B.
Gorgeous fabric bundle! Those colours remind me of the summertime, of spring, of the warm sun on the nape of my neck, oh just in general they make me smile 🙂
Pat S
Such happy, cheerful fabric – I love it!
Trisch
Your pincushions are so adorable. This fabric line is so bright and cheery.
Erica
Love it and the fabric line. New fabric lines are always so fun to see!
bobbi dougherty
I love this fabric! I have been enjoying seeing all the cute pin cushions too. 🙂 Thanks.
barbara woods
love those fabrics
Kay :-)
how adorable!! Need to go shopping NOW!!
Dyann
I’m loving all these cute pincushions! And the Good Neighbors Collection!!! I too discovered many quilting blogs and have been inspired by everyone’s creativity… Amy, yours being one of my favorites?
Cherilyn
I love this cute pincushion! Thanks for the chance towin some of this cute fabric.
Valerie
I have to agree with the other comments here…cute and cheerful fabrics!
Erica
Just found your blog via Instagram. So excited about it & Connecting Threads (another new site to me).
Kathy E.
Every pin cushion I see on this hop is one I want to make! Plus, the more I see the Good Neighbors bundle, the more I love it! Great use of color.
Dorothy
Oooh those are cute! I’m just getting into the sewing game and have pretty much zero stash. That would certainly be helpful! If nothing else, I now have a list of other blogs to go visit. ☺
Chris matsche
This fabric is just so cheerful. Matsche.christine@yahoo.com
Beth T.
When I heard that Amanda Jean had called her fabric line “Good Neighbors” I thought, “That is just perfect”. It really captures the warm-hearted, friendliness I associate with her. At every stop on this blog hop I’ve seen that same sentiment echoed.
Sherry
Another fun pin cushion using this super fun fabric line. I am hoping to sew a few pincushions myself, very soon.
PONTAMOM
Your pincushions are adorable — I wish I could get over my paper-piecing phobia that make some myself!
Nicole
I love your pincushions! I too have resized a pattern to get it exactly how I like it.
Megan
Love your pin cushions, especially the fussy cut centers – so cute!
Karen Thurn
I’ve been enjoying seeing all the pincushions. Fabric for only $5.96/yard? Almost unbelievable. I’ll have too check out Connecting Threads myself to believe it. Karen kthurn(at)bektel(dot)com
Gwen adams
I LOVE quilting blogs!!! I could daydream and read all day long!
teri
This might be my favorite so far of the pincushions.
June
Great ideas and fabrics! Will organize my stash of fabric and decide on a color to get! Thanks for the chance!
michelle
I’ve never heard of using crushed shells as a filler, interesting. Love the fabric.
Patti
I love your square in a square pincushions! Good Neighbors is the perfect fabric line to add to your stash!
Teresa Palmer
I can’t wait to use some of her beautiful fabric!
Janet
Wow what a great price for fabric! Sure wish more designers would do that with their fabric. Thanks for the chance to win this awesome fabric!
Marlene
The colors of this fabric are so pretty, but the turquoise is extra, extra nice!
Judy Sigsworth
Love the fabric line. So cheerful. And I’ve been enjoying all the pincushions! Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Cathy
Love Amanda’s colors! Looks like you had fun with her fabrics too! Thanks for the op to win som more pretty fabric! Lol!
Emilee
I love your pincushions! So adorable!
isabella
Really cute and bright!! thank you for that giveaway.
Sandy K
So cute pincushions. I love the way you fussy cut the centers.
Vicki H
This is one of the best hops. I love seeing all the great pincushions. Thanks.
Cathy
Adorable! Such nice clear colours.
Suzanne
It’s so fun to see what you have done with your charms. Looks like you were very purposeful in using every bit!
Jodie banks
I love this cute, colorful fabric line. And now I have a new quilt block to follow!
Buffy
This is the most fun blog hop ever! I love the versatility of the fabrics and seeing what everyone has come up with…super inspiring.
Susan
Love your pin cushions and what a great name for the fabric collection. Love it! Good Neighbors!
Helen
Beautifully-done pincushion! I really need to make one.
Cecilia
Very cute! I love the colors and prints in this collection. Thanks for sharing.
Sandra B
LOVE Amanda Jean’s new fabric line, Good Neighbors!!! Would love to win the charm pack….thanks for the giveaway!!!
Jennifer
Cute pincushions! I especially love that dark blue center.
Jeanmarie
I love these fabric so much, thanks for the giveaway!
Rita
I love those fabrics and the darling little pincushions you’ve made!
Judy Hudgins
Pin cushions are in my future!
Debbi
I love the tiny square in a square idea! Thank you for giving the price on the fabric – I had assumed it would be more. This could be an upcoming purchase and I will be looking at the Connecting Threads catalogue for sure.
Piroska
I love your pincushions! Great colours!
Anne D.
This is a gorgeous fabric line and I love what you did with it!
Debbie Miller
I really love these fabrics and paper piecing so your pincushion is a must make for me! Thanks for the inspiration and chance to win!
carole
Love Connecting Threads, love Amanda Jean’s fabric and loving this hop. I am going to try paper piecing to make your cute pin cushion.
Amanda
Cute pincushions!
Emily Kim
I’ve loved following this blog hop!! Such a lovely collection and love all the pincushions!
Barb Lyons
Good looking pin cushions!!
Sarah S
Love these fabrics and your pincushions. Fun to see a different pincushion each day!
DoInna
So glad she I’d designing fabrics. I love her eye for color. So fun!
MoeWest
Your pincushions look great! Paper piecing is the way to go with all those bitty pieces. When I first went shopping for crushed walnut shells, I discovered that not all pet stores carried them. They were only stocked in a pet store that sold snakes. I actually had to go into the snake room to get them. It makes me shudder just thinking about it. Thankfully I now have a supply that will last me for a good long time!
rrjane011749
Love these fabrics and your pincushion!
Sara
I would love to win some of the Good Neighbors fabric!! Thanks for the giveaway!
Lizzie
I didn’t think I needed any more pibcushions, but Amanda Jean has convinced me I can just forego the fruit bowl for a colorful bowl of them instead! I love these new prints from her at CT, especially that happy turquoise 🙂
Jennifer
I love how Connecting Threads skips that middle man and keeps fabric prices reasonable. Amanda Jean’s fabrics are so fresh and perky and it is great they chose to work with her. And your pincushions are simply sweet.
Sally dixon
I love your pin cushions, especially the middle! So colorful too!
Sarah
Adorable fabrics! And Connecting Threads is one of my favorites!
Sharon
love the paper pieced pincushion.
Bethany A.
I like how you made the two pincushions with opposite shading!
Anne
I LOVE these fabrics. I think a need a yard of each color and pattern. Yum!
Lisa
I love all the pincushions I have seen so far. If only I had the time to make all of them.
Sarah J.
Such fun colors in this collection- I love your pincushion with the yellow and red! These are perfect colors to break out in the middle of winter- so fun and cheerful!
Wanda Thornton
I adore your little pincushions~~love the soft colors in this fabric collection. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Kathy Davis
would love to win the Good Neighbors fabric . I also make and collect pin cushins
Kamille gainor
I love your sweet pincushion! Especially the tiny fussy cut middle! So adorable!
Bonnie
What a lovely pin cushion! It would make a great gift for my sewing friends. Thanks for sharing.
stanleybeagle
Another gorgeous little cushion! I am loving this blog hop!
Nancy
Gorgeous pin cushions. Love the fabrics. Thanks for the giveaway.
Pam
Your pincushions are delightful! And I appreciate your comments on quilting blogs. I loved discovering them too!
Sarah
I really like the colors you chose for your pin cushions. Beautiful!
Candy radford
I love Good Neighbors and I love Amanda Jean!
cher merriman
I love Good Neighbors, and all the adorable pincushions I’ve seen on the blog hop! So cheerful!
Chris
Too cute, I love it.
Lisa E
That’s an incredible price for such beautiful fabrics. Love the pincushions. Thanks for the giveaway also.
Nancy B
Gorgeous fabrics from one of my favorite bloggers, and cute pincushions from another! Thanks for the link to the pattern, and the generous giveaway, too.
Mary Z
Your pin cushions are so cute. I love the fabric!!
peggy hendrick
It’s nice to see a “party” where everyone can find something to make. Small, do-able and not using a lot of fabric…love it…very cute fabric!
Lori Morton
This Hop has been such fun! Am sooo inspired to make Pin Cushions now! lol Have never made one before!! Your’s is sooo cute! Love it!!
Thanks for chance to win your Give-a-way! 😀
Dawn Jones
Very cute, thank you for sharing.
Amanda jean
Amy, I love your pincushions!!! Thank you so much for being a part of the pincushion party! I appreciate it! And thanks for your kind words. Happy to be able to call you friend! xo
Elizabeth McDonald
Ohh, I just love these new fabrics! I did not make the connection with the
blog, and now I am more excited!
Kathleen
I love Amanda Jean’s fabric collection! And your pincushions are adorable!!
bee
the more of these great pincushions i see, the more i want to make one or two myself!
Emily C
So cute! I love the mini quilt block effect.
Tarnia
I have loved seeing all the pincushions listed and blogged about. Its almost enough to make me take up more handwork, just so I could have an excuse to make more. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sharon
You can never have too many pincushions! Thanks for the opportunity.
Amy
Darling pincushions with nice use of fussy cutting!
Katy M
I love your pincushions! Such lovely prints x
Kim miLler
I love Amanda’s new fabric line. She’s inspired me to make a few pincushions. I’ve loved your blog for years too!
Diane B
Amy,
I am finding my way w/paper piecing and realize a pin cushion is a perfect starter. Love the way you capture the red X print and flower in the centers. Thanks for sharing…this has been a most fun hop, wouldn’t you agree!
Jen
I agree with pretty much everything you said. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
Melissa
You’re right about that being an awesome price! Gunna remember that 🙂
And thanks for the chance
Ellee
Your pincushion is one I’d like to make for myself.
Judy S.
Such lovely, vibrant colors!
Diane
Loving all the pin cushions and love the fabric collection!
Annette
Cute pincushions ! I love this fabric!
Wendy s
The very first pincushion I made was a paper pieced square in a square & I still use it today. I love your in these wonderful fabrics.
shirley elliott
Beautiful fabrics and your pincushions are adorable. Thanks for the opportunity to enter the giveaway.
Claire Ross
What a gorgeous pin cushion, love this design x
Andrea
Love the color combos you selected for the pincushions; very cute! The photos really showcase Amanda’s line well. If you ever get tired of quilting I think you could have a photo biz! Cheers!!! x
Jacqueline
Hi there Amy,
You are so right-those prints are the cutest and perfectly named!
Yours was one of the first blogs I started to follow when I ‘discovered’ blogs back in 2010! Yay!
Thanks!
Quilty Huggs,
Jacqueline
Karen
Amy, I’ve never seen Square within a Square–I’m a beginner. Too cute! And I’m wild about Amanda Jean, her blog, and her Good Neighbors!
Tamie
Love your pincushions and Amanda Jean’s fabric.
Leigh Ann Mahaffie
I love your work! Your blog and Amanda Jean’s are my two go to blogs. The color choices are so great!
Ramona
The pincushion is soooo cute. The Amanda Jean’s fabric is lovely and will be fun to work with.
Colette Wilson
Cute, cute, cute! Would love to win a charm pack!
Sally dixon
I love your pincushions, especially the centers!
Doris McCarty
Sew cuteeeeee!
Dmac5958ataoldotcom
Rochelle
I love the fabric and your selection really makes the pincushion sparkle!!
Rachel H.
Love love love this line. So clean and versatile. I would love to make these pin cushions too.
MEGGIE
Thanks for the link….
Linda Cejnar
Thank you for sharing the charm pack. I also want to add that I love the colors and the pincushions. I hope I win the charm pack because I just put a book order in (books are 40% off right now at Connecting Threads) and would have to pay separate shipping unless my 2nd order is over $50. Connecting Threads has a great sale going on right now. I shop there often. And, I’m going to take a look at the pincushion blogs. Thank you.
Karen E.
Count me in on the giveaway! I LOVE these pin cushions… and would love to have a new charm pack to create a couple as gifts!
Melissa Miller
So many cute projects on this blog hop.
Shasta Matova
Such beautiful fabrics – such beautiful pincushions. Love the square in square design.
Linda Smith
It’s a square in a square in a square in a square!! Love.
Sue
This might just be my favorite pincushion design!
RaeLyn
Lovin’ this fabric and as always, lovin’ this blog 🙂
Karen Thurn
A pincushion party is perfect for this fabric!!!!!!!!
Susan McGregor
I’m enjoying this Pincushion Party and seeing what everyone comes up with. The pincushions are all so unique and fun. Hope to win a charm pack to make my own.
Melanie C
Super cute pin cushion!
Suzanne grissett
Love love love your blog. It’s been my favorite since I begin learning about quilting. You inspire me everytime I read your blog and your quilts are amazing!!!!
Suzanne Grissett.
Suzanne grissett
Your work is so cute. Love the pincushion!!!
Suzanne
Suzanne grissett
Love these great new fabrics. Would love to tour your sewing room and see how you organize your stash and quilting supplies. I am sure I could learn many tips and secrets. Your talent is just awesome.
Suzanne