Rubik's Cube Style Pincushion

Intro: Rubik's Cube Style Pincushion

All sewers need a place to keep their pins. Why use one of those dull, boring store bought tomato pincushions when you can have something with a bit more pizazz. Remember the hours (or days/weeks) trying to get your Rubik's cube back to its original pattern? Now you can have one that is always "done". Use it as a pincushion or just as a fun plushie....either way, it will become a topic of conversation.

This pincushion can be purchased here as part of the Sewuseful contest:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6413900

STEP 1: Gather Supplies

For this pincushion you will need:

1 9" X 12" sheet of black craft felt
1 9" X 12" sheet of blue craft felt
1 9" X 12" sheet of yellow craft felt
1 9" X 12" sheet of white craft felt
1 9" X 12" sheet of orange craft felt
1 9" X 12" sheet of blue craft felt
1 9" X 12" sheet of green craft felt

You will use most of the sheet of black felt, but only a very small strip from each color. If you have scraps of the colors, you will be fine.

poly-fil stuffing (or stuffing of choice)

glue stick, or craft glue

scissors or rotary cutter with cutting mat

matching thread or embroidery floss

ruler

pins

usual sewing supplies

STEP 2: Black Squares

You will need to cut six 2.5" squares from the black felt. I used a rotary cutter (and self healing mat) with an acrylic quilter's ruler for this step. These pieces will be the "background" for each color. If you look at the traditional Rubik's cube, you will see that each square has a black border around them. I recommend cutting each square separately, because felt has a tendency to slide around if you stack too many layers for cutting.

STEP 3: Cutting Color Pieces Part 1

Each colored square in my pincushion measure .5". If you would like there to be less of the black border showing, increase this measurement accordingly.

First cut one .5" strip from your first color choice. You will be cutting out 9 .5" squares from each color. If you are using a full sheet of felt, you can cut it from either the long side or the shorter side. I chose the longer side to guarantee that I would a long enough strip.

STEP 4: Cutting Color Pieces Step 2

Take each colored strip that you cut from step 3 and cut 9 .5" squares. Save the remainder for another project.

STEP 5: Attaching Colored Squares

Now you will be attaching the colored squares to the black backgrounds. At this time, you can choose to have all one color on each side or mix the colors up.

Depending on your comfort level, you can choose to hand sew or machine sew the little squares on. I chose to hand sew mine. You can either pin each square in place or use some form of glue. A glue stick will hold the pieces in place nicely until you can hand sew them in place. If you choose to use a craft glue, be very careful not to use too much. When these types of glue dry, they usually make it very difficult to push the pins through. Sewing can be frustrating enough without the extra aggravation of a non-functioning pincushion.

I used matching sewing thread to stitch each color piece down. I generally placed three stitches on each side of color piece. If you decide to use a sewing machine, I recommend using invisible thread.

STEP 6: Begin Stitching Panels Together

After all color pieces are stitched into place, you will begin stitching the side panels together.

I used my daughter's (16) mixed cube as a reference for color placement. You may decide to piece yours together in any order you wish.

I used white as my top piece since it has the Rubik's logo on the center square. I then sewed my next panel on. I chose to use green next. Holding wrong sides together, using a whip stitch, sew one edge of the green to one matching edge of the white.

STEP 7: Adding Next Side Panel

Now you will continue to add a new side panel. This time I added the red panel.

When you stitch this panel on, you will be stitching it to the white and green panel. Beginning at the bottom corner of the green panel, start whip stitching the red and green panels together. When you cone to the end of this side, continue to attach the red panel to the white panel.

STEP 8: Orange Panel

Now you will attach the orange panel in the same manner as the others.

This panel will have the white panel on top and the green panel to its right side. It is directly across from the red panel.

Stitch the seam where the orange meets the white and also where the green panel comes in contact with the orange.

STEP 9: Blue Panel

Next, attach the blue panel to the forming cube.

The blue panel will touch the white panel on top, the red panel to the left, and the orange panel on the right.

Attach in the same manner as other panels. For this panel, you will be sewing three sides of the blue panel. The bottom (when you have the white as the top) portion will not be sewn...yet.

STEP 10: Adding Final Panel and Stuffing

Now you will attach the final panel.

In this example, the yellow panel is the bottom of the cube. When you attach this panel, you will be stitching three of the four sides. The fourth side will be left open for ease of stuffing the pin cushion.

Now you can stuff your cube. Stuff firmly, but do not over stuff. Over stuffing will cause the sides to bulge. Some bulging will occur naturally though. Just stuff it until you are happy with the results.

STEP 11: Finished!!

Sew the last side closed. Bury your thread end inside the cube.

Stick some pins in it and you are DONE ! Congratulations you now have a new "toy" for your sewing area or desk.

Comments

[kP]

Minor nit-pick: white opposite blue red opposite orange green opposite yellow

[m1ss1ontomars2k4]

The colors shown here are the new official colors. The colors you mentioned are the old official colors, which are often copied by imitation cubes.

[kP]

 Sounds like the 'imitation cubes' won   

[HannahBananaa19]

Very cool idea. Thanks for the tutorial, I'm going to make one as soon as I get some felt.

[rsislandcrafts]

I'm glad you liked it :)

[knex_mepalm]

cute, cuddly, awesome if i could: 10000000000000*s/5*s

[cutekitten]

neat

[get to da parakeet]

ill make it for a soft toy! w00t1

[spacegirl94]

Awsome instructable! i am going to the fabric store later, i will pick up some felt and start right away!

[lukethebook333]

Really neat idea! Wouldn't it be easier to cut out the large squares in color, then use permanent maker to make the lines? Lukethebook333

[rsislandcrafts]

You could, but I don't think I could make it look OK with the marker. I'm sure there are quicker or easier ways to make it, this is just the way I made mine.

[kwilh]

i don't think i would ever use a pin cushion, but if i used a softer material, and made it bigger, it would make a great pillow

[rsislandcrafts]

I have made one bigger in crochet before :) It does make a fun pillow!

[Eruaphadriel]

This is so cool and cute!I'm going to try it!

[Siebe]

'Amazingly good idea!

[ahavajora]

What a great idea! I'm digging up felt scraps this very moment.

[GorillazMiko]

amazing! (favorited)

[rsislandcrafts]

I used the color sequence I saw on my daughter's cube. We purchased it last year. I was just making it for fun...if you make one and want your color sequences to be exact, then please check out some websites to get the "real" colors. If you don't mind how the colors are, then put them anywhere you like and HAVE FUN!!!!!

[andy60]

oh i love it!!! thanks i'm gonna make one of these sometime :D

[crafty carolinagirl]

What a great pincushion. I love everything '80s, and this will be a welcomed addition to my collection. Thanks for the great tutorial. I can't wait to try one this weekend.