Project of the Day-Wool Pin Cushion Tutorial

The project of the day: Wool Pin Cushion

Tutorial Purpose: To learn how to apply wool to a project without having frayed edges.

Project Level: Advanced Beginners with some speciality embroidery stitches (please visit www.youtube.com or the web for simple tutorials regarding these stitches)

What a great way to use those scrapes of wool in the scrap bin than to make a pin cushion. It's handy and every sewer can use one. Keep in mind this would be for any wool project you choose to make. Let us get started.

Supply List
Steam-a-Seam2 (This is Key!) NO! NO! to WONDER UNDER or HEAT BOND
Wool Scraps
Sharp Scissors for cutting small pieces
Polyester stuffing or your favorite filler
Matching Embroidery Threads (I am using Valdani for this project)

1. Gather your supplies, your pattern, your wools, threads, etc.





2. Trace your pattern pieces onto your Steam-a-Seam2. PLEASE NOTE: This is a special bonding paper. What makes it special from other bonding agents is it is tacky making it useful in keeping your paper from shifting on your fabrics as well as let's you reposition temporarily without a permanent bond. The tacky side is the side you should be drawing your shapes on with a #2 pencil.
Once you have drawn your shapes onto the tacky side of the paper, it's time to cut them out. Seam-a-seam2 has two paper sides to it, with the tacky sheet in between it. Except you will find there is a loose side that comes off easily, just make sure when cutting out your pieces BOTH sheets are attached when cutting.




3. When cutting out shapes, leave 1/8th to 1/4th inch around each paper piece. DO NOT CUT On THE DRAWN ON LINES prier to tracing.


4. Next iron your pieces onto the wool. Follow your label instructions for this.

5. Now your ready to cut on the drawn on lines. Cut out each piece with precision
sharp scissors. This is the key to keeping your edges from fraying. Steam-a-seam2 serves two purposes here. A.) It's a lite weight bond which makes it easy to stitch through and B.) It seals your edges to keep your wool from fraying.



6. Peel off the back paper from your cut out pieces and positon on your main fabric. Reposition if necessary and iron in place for a permanent fix. Your ready for your specialty stitches. Stitch with your favorite embroidery stitches to finish edges. Here I have used a simple blanket stitch and a bullion stitch with beads to embellish. (YouTube is a great resource for finding these stitches.)

7. Once your done with any specialty stitches, attach your backing fabric, stuff, close your opening and your done!






I hope this method works for you like it works for me. Nothing like viewing someone's beautiful wool hand work to see those edges fraying like crazy. If your gonna put that much time into your work make it look great from every aspect.

Good luck! Have a wonderful creative evening. T

Don't you just love spring time?

(Provence Lavender, Sweet Basil, Common Sage, Potpourri Lavender)


(Purple Sage, French Lavender, Chives, Spearmint, Pineapple Sage)

After this crazy winter, I could use some spring time lovin' and I did just that, I went outside today and enjoyed the sunshine, dug some small flowers beds, transplanted some plants, and was in the process of making my above the ground herb bed until it came to a dead halt! I can't find my darn drill. For those who know what a pain it is to try manually screwing a nail into wood, well it just doesn't work well. You end up stripping the nail head and now what? LOL So until I find that, this project is at a stand still momentarily. While we wait til the drill finds me(LOL), I will have to keep watering them. Terrible, terrible me~


(This is what I ended up with and how far I got!)

I had the opportunity to visit the Sewing and Quilt Expo yesterday, I didn't take any classes but it just seems like over the years the vendor base is getting slimmer. There were several areas that had quilts displayed on the floor that were invitational only. No contests that I am aware, correct me if I am wrong. I ran into a guild member and sat in on a Sulky demonstration of the latest and greatest threads and trends from the company. It was very interesting. They are based here in Atlanta, Kennesaw to be more specific, but they only wholesale, no open retail to the public at this warehouse. Did you know they also have a 3-day certified teacher program to learn about their threads, stabilizers, other products, you have lunch, take a tour of the warehouse and take home nine projects? If this is something you are interested you may want to contact them.


(Wool floss, varigated Valdani threads, the coolest batiks, sulky transfer pens)

So back to the Expo...I picked up a few things not too much. Since these are returning vendors they seem to remember faces and welcome you with open arms! For the most part, if anything else I enjoyed seeing the vendors and running into friends along the way. I was pooped at the end of the day but had fun.