Cathedral Window Pincushion


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This is one of the blocks I have been itching to try. I moved it to the top of my To-Make list after deciding to try something small.

I have been wanting to make a pincushion for months. But I wanted to make mine with crushed walnut shells inside and didn’t have any. So, off I went to Petsmart.

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Rather than walk around searching for the shells, I asked for help right off the bat. The lady asked me what type pet I had. None. πŸ˜€ I quickly mentioned I wanted the shells for crafts. Specifically, pincushions. Must not have been the first time she heard that. She never blinked. Didn’t say “for real.” None of that. She walked me to a bag. The ONLY bag they had. 7 lbs. I will be making lots of pincushions!!

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But first, let me show you the one I made yesterday. All from scraps in purple and lavender.

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It looks ok. It will pass.

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The button in the center is not just for decoration. It is for saving face. Covering my poor stitching. πŸ˜€

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I put the walnut shells in a little sack I made out of batting. Then inserted it into the opening in the back. (I ended up using this darker purple for the back instead of the glittered fabric.)

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It fits perfectly inside one of my recycled wooden frames. Is this cool or what!! It measures 3 1/2″ square and 1 3/4″ high.

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This is the tutorial I used. Go here if you would like to make one. It’s easy. Only one confusing part but I figured it out.

http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/cutting-corners/2012/02/17/cathedral-window-pincushion/

Have you tried making a cathedral window block? Do you like them?

13 comments on “Cathedral Window Pincushion

  1. and another lovely pincushion. I still don’t have one, but I’m planning on making one – problem is every time I see a new one on a blog I say to myself that’s the one I want to make. I guess if I really did that I would have to make 20 or 30 ..

  2. Deb says:

    So glad you finally gave this one a try! I’ve been waiting to see your take on it. πŸ™‚ Awesome that it fits in the frame too so well!

  3. Framing that — it’s amazing!

  4. That is awesome!!! I don’t piece quilt but do appreciate it when I see it! I love the design! I need a pin cushion for my studio but I think mine will be a yogurt cup stuffed with batting, covered with a scrap of fabric and then topped off with a rubber band to keep it all in place…not a gorgeous one like yours! LOL

  5. Popping over from Sew Happy Geek to say Hi and I LOVE your pincushion! What a great way to learn how to make this pretty block. I will be giving this a try too. Thanks for sharing!

  6. Saw your pincushion on Sew Happy Geek and loved it, cathedral windows are gradually getting to the top of my to-do list, this might speed up the process!

  7. don_mae says:

    Thanks so much for your comments on my first pincushion. I do hope you will try it.

    I made another one but need to take photos so I can show you. πŸ˜€

  8. Joanie Page says:

    Darling pin cushion. I’m in a pin cushion swap and my swap buddy requested a small purple pin cushion for traveling. How perfect yours is for my swap. Great job on it too!

  9. Connie says:

    How neat! What a great pin cushion! With 7 lbs of shells I think we will be seeing many more! Thanks for linking!
    Linky Party Tuesday

  10. Belinda says:

    You did a great job on the pincushion, Donna. I think that is a great quilt block, but it’s not one that I want to tackle.

  11. don_mae says:

    Thank you for your comments. Really appreciate you leaving them.

    Belinda, it was actually an easy block. Only tricky part is making sure the triangle edges don’t peek out when sewing the “window” sections. I used my pointed tweezers.

  12. Fran says:

    I was Donna’s Brown Bag Project partner. Let me tell you the pictures don’t do it justice. She did an awesome job on it. I just love it and will think of Donna everytime I use it. Guess what I will be making.

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