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    Simple Sprocket Pincushion Tutorial

    Last Modified: September 3, 2022 by Amy · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 25 Comments

    I’m so excited for this fun guest post today from Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane! I really admire and enjoy Sedef’s talents as a pattern and fabric designer. This simple pincushion tutorial is adorable! And the best trick ever for making a circle without having to use wedges or specialty templates or rulers. Plus a super slick method for stuffing and finishing. I hope you enjoy!

    Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links

    Simple Sprocket Pincusion Tutorial By Sedef Imer

    Hi, it’s Sedef Imer here, from Down Grapevine Lane. I work for Riley Blake Designs as a fabric designer and am also the author of two books: Quilt Petite and Zakka Home (coming out later this year), published by Tuva Publishing. When Amy asked me if I would like to write a guest post on her blog I was so excited! Amy’s blog is such an incredible treasure trove of sewing tips and techniques and I’m honoured to be a part of it today.

    Today I will be showing you how to make a very simple round sprocket pincushion, shown here in my fabric range Summer Blush. If you ever made round pincushions you will know that it can be a little tricky to get that perfect circular shape with no bumps and lumps around the edges (especially at the stuffing point).

    Fret not – I will show you a very simple technique that ensures you can achieve that perfect round shape every time. The style of this pincushion is known as a ‘sprocket’ design in sewing literature as the slices resemble the spokes of a wheel – this is typically achieved by sewing wedges of fabric together to form a circular shape. That can be a little time consuming, so we’re going to cheat and use half square triangles to achieve a very similar look – easy peasy! 🙂

    PIN CUSHION MATERIALS

    (8) 3 ½″ print squares (pincushion top)
    (2) 3 ½″ x 6 ½″ rectangles (pincushion bottom)
    Polyester fibre filling
    Decorative button
    Template (printed on A4 – check size using the 1″ reference grid) – download HERE

    PIN CUSHION ASSEMBLY

    1. Divide up the 3 ½″ squares into four pairs. Using a fabric pen draw a diagonal from corner to corner on the back of one print from each pair. Place right sides together with the other print and sew along the traced line. Repeat for all four pairs.

    2. Trim each half square triangle (HST) ¼″ away from the seam on one side.

    3. Press the HSTs open and lay out on a flat surface, paying attention to the direction of the seams. Sew the HSTs together in pairs with a ¼″ seam then sew the rows together. Press seam open. Your finished block should measure 6 ½″ square.

    4. Flip over and place the template on the back of the block, lining up the guides with the seams to make sure it’s central. Trace all the way around with a fabric pen. Set aside.

    5. Sew the two bottom rectangles together along one long edge with a ¼″ seam, leaving a 2″ gap in the middle unsewn, securing all beginning and end stitches. Press seam open. This 2″ gap is the opening through which we will be stuffing the pincushion – as it’s on the bottom rather than on the edge of the pincushion this will make sure the shape of the pincushion is not distorted when we blind stitch it closed. I love this neat trick!

    6. Place the pincushion top and bottom together, right sides facing. Using a very short stitch length, sew all the way around the circle we traced before, sewing over your beginning stitches a few times to secure. It is very important to use a short stitch length as we don’t want the seam stretching when we stuff the pincushion firmly. Trim the excess fabric with pinking scissors.

    7. Turn the pincushion inside out through the 2″ gap on the bottom. Using a turning tool or a blunt instrument such as a chopstick push the edges out until you have a perfect circle. Stuff the pincushion very firmly through the opening with fiber fill (tip: add fiber fill gradually in small pieces, rather than big chunks, and use a blunt instrument to push it all the way out to the edges. Stuff until the circular edge is smooth but the seams are not overstretched – if you have ripples along the edges it’s not stuffed firmly enough). Blind stitch the opening closed by hand.

    Summer Blush Pincushion tutorial

    8. Sew a decorative button in the centre, using a thick thread such as perle cotton and a long needle (I used a doll making needle but any needle long enough to go through the entire thickness of the pincushion will do). Whilst sewing push the needle all the way through the centre of the pincushion then back again a few times to create a dimple in the middle. This will give extra stability to the pincushion and also firm up the stuffing a little more. Finish with a decorative bow as shown if desired.

    Summer Blush fabric by Sedef Imer for Riley Blake Designs

    And that concludes my tutorial – thank you for joining me today! Please come visit me over on my blog Down Grapevine Lane and you can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram where I share lots more ideas and inspiration.

    Summer Blush Pincushion

    Post Update: Summer Blush is now out of print, but some pieces are still available on Etsy. Happy sewing!

    Simple Sprocket Pincushion Tutorial by Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane

    Oh my goodness – that is the most clever pincushion tutorial I’ve ever seen! I’m dying to make some myself now – maybe as Mother’s Day gifts. 

    Check out these other popular tutorials from Sedef. Many of them make the perfect gift for a friend:

    Fabric Covered Needlebook

    Scandi Pillow Tutorial

    Quilted Leaf Tutorials 

    Spool Inspired Key Fobs

    Thank you so much for sharing you talents with us, Sedef! If you haven’t visited Sedef’s blog, Down Grapevine Lane, you must do so. It’s visually so beautiful and inspiring.

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    Filed Under: Riley Blake Designs, Sewing for Your Home Tagged With: pincushion, tutorial

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Vicki in MN

      May 10, 2018 at 6:14 am

      Sedef, that’s a fantastic way to make the Sprocket! Thanks for sharing how.

      Reply
    2. lewisnancy54

      May 10, 2018 at 6:46 am

      I love your pincushion. I have been going to make some forever, but your tutorial is so helpful, I will be using it. Thanks so much for sharing!!

      Reply
    3. Kay

      May 11, 2018 at 2:03 am

      Really pretty. I like the trick of leaving the opening in the centre back rather than the side. x

      Reply
    4. Little Quiltsong

      May 11, 2018 at 4:27 am

      Beautiful fabric and pincushion. Thank you for sharing this tutorial Sedef on Amy’s Blog!

      Reply
    5. janequiltsslowly

      May 11, 2018 at 8:25 am

      Amazing! Gotta make one of these! Do you ever fill with crushed walnut shells instead?

      Reply
    6. Barbara Esposito, The Quilted B

      May 11, 2018 at 12:25 pm

      What a brilliant way to construct this! I love it. thank you so much for this tutorial – on my must make list!

      Reply
    7. Cindy

      May 11, 2018 at 1:47 pm

      okay, that was just brilliant!!!! Thank you for sharing with us!!! Can’t wait to make one for me!
      Sedef, your fabric line is beautiful!!!!

      Reply
    8. Linda B

      May 11, 2018 at 3:37 pm

      Very cute and brilliant method! Thanks…just FYI, the link to the template download does not work

      Reply
      • Amy

        May 11, 2018 at 5:43 pm

        OH weird! I just tried it and it worked for me. Tell me what happens so I can figure out what’s going on.

        Reply
        • Linda B

          May 12, 2018 at 7:05 am

          Oh, glad I looked at the comments…it opens Google Drive, and then in a couple seconds a pop up box says “File Not Found” and something like “it might have been deleted”. I will try it again and see exact wording

          Reply
        • Linda B

          May 12, 2018 at 7:07 am

          After File Not Found in Google Drive, it says You might not have the right URL or the author have deleted the file (:(

          Reply
    9. Peggy S

      May 11, 2018 at 8:00 pm

      HI, really cute pin cushion. I also love the glass pins shown in the pictures. By chance can you tell us where we can purchase those? Thanks for your tutorial.

      Reply
      • Amy

        May 12, 2018 at 3:02 pm

        I will email Sedef and ask her to chime in on that!

        Reply
    10. rosa

      May 12, 2018 at 7:32 am

      So cute and the fabrics are yummiest!!

      Reply
    11. Mary Ann

      May 12, 2018 at 12:01 pm

      Just printed and the circle is 5″, guess I better try again. LOL

      Reply
    12. Kay Fox

      May 16, 2018 at 6:28 am

      LOVE your fabric, Can’t wait to get some. It will make perfect quilt for little baby girl???

      Reply
    13. Tracey

      October 19, 2019 at 12:31 am

      Love your pattern. Makes it seem so achievable
      Thanks for the ideas. Fabric is great

      Reply
    14. Sophie

      May 14, 2020 at 8:44 am

      I loved making this pattern thank you for sharing it! My first time making anything with quilt techniques! X

      Reply
      • Amy

        May 14, 2020 at 11:46 am

        Congratulations!

        Reply
    15. Kathy

      August 23, 2020 at 9:35 pm

      I just made this pin cushion, and am very pleased with the results. The instructions were very clear, and the button adds a nice, finishing touch. Thanks so much.

      Reply
    16. wynne clark

      January 02, 2021 at 3:01 pm

      very clear instructions. My pincushion from high school finally wore out. I can get “free sawdust’ from my husband!

      Reply
      • Amy

        January 04, 2021 at 7:46 am

        I’m so glad!

        Reply
    17. Nicole

      June 24, 2021 at 12:12 pm

      I just finished my pin cushion. It was super easy and turned out cute. For some reason mine is not very round and I stuffed the daylights out of it, but the sam around the edge is still rippled. Oh, well. I really like it anyway. Just what I needed!

      Reply
    18. LisaD

      October 24, 2021 at 1:49 pm

      What size does this finish at? Soooo adorable!!!

      Reply
    19. vibrat17Gina Cox

      February 01, 2022 at 7:29 am

      Very, very pretty, I’m sure I’ll be making lots of these. I like to start my Christmas sewing now and continue throughout the year, so I have a big selection to choose from when the time comes and then there’s always plenty left over for me and unexpected gifts. This will enhance my skills too which I thank you. Thank you for a delightful design. Xx

      Reply

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