Introduction: The Chick Pincushion!
Peep peep peep! This project is unbelievably fast, easy, and fun, and the end product is sooooooooo cute!! One of the best things about it is that you can use leftover fabric scraps to put something really, really cute together, and there are only three shapes that need to be cut - squares (two of them) triangles (five of them) and a rectangle (just one)!!!
My mom sews a lot, so she has a few pincushions, ranging from the ultra-modern magnetic "Grabbit" to the beloved classic "tomato"! This one, which I especially made just for her, is her favorite!
Materials needed:
---Several scraps of fabric, any color
---Scissors
---Iron
---Batting or fabric scraps, for stuffing
---Optional: buttons or plastic craft wiggly-eyes (for the chick's eyes)
Step 1: Step 1 - Cutting
With one of the fabrics, cut two 6" squares. This will be the chick's body! With another color fabric, cut a 2" by 3" rectangle, and fold it in half width-wise - this is for the chick's crown. For the beak, with another color fabric, cut two isosceles triangles ("isosceles" = two sides equal length, one side longer), with the two equal sides measuring about 3", and the longer side measuring 4 1/2". For the tail, use all three of the fabrics: with one, cut a large isosceles triangle, about 8 1/2" the long side by 6 1/2" the other two sides, another triangle of 6 1/2" the long side and 4 1/2" the opposite sides, and lastly, a smaller triangle of 4 1/2" the long side by 3" for the opposite sides (just like the beak triangles). It's really easy to cut the triangles if you fold the fabric in half along the middle, measure it from the center, and then cut from there!
Step 2: Step 2 - Folding and Ironing
Next, fold all of the triangles in half, and iron them to set them!
Step 3: Step 4 - Sewing, Re-ironing and Arranging
Working individually with each triangle, fold it in half inside out, and sew the even ends together. Turn out, and iron again. For the beak, fold (again) two of the 4 1/2" by 3" triangles, iron a crease in the center of each, and fit them together by embedding the straight edges of the triangles together (see the picture below!)
Step 4: Step 4 - Arranging the Tail
Arrange the other sewn triangles for the tail within one another, in order of their size, with the smallest triangle on top. Set aside for later!
Step 5: Step 5 - Placement of the Beak and Crown, and Sewing
Place the beak, facing inward, near the corner of one square, and the crown (also inward, with the folded side along the edge) at the corner of the beak's adjacent side (see the photo below!) Place the other square (wrong side up) over this square, and sew the edges with the beak and crown. If you turn the square right side out after sewing, you can see how the chick is beginning to shape!
Step 6: Step 6 - Placing and Sewing the Tail
Working with the forming chick turned inside out, sew a little over half of the square edges below the beak. Then, place the tail, with its edge along the square's edge, along the above joined edges of the two squares (the same seam which joins the crown will run through the middle of the tail).
Step 7: Step 7 - Stuffing and Finishing!
This is the best part! Turn the chick inside out - it's done! Now, just stuff it with fabric scraps, batting, or fluff from an old pillow, using the little opening that was left when sewing the bottom of the square edge; then, hand-stitch that opening closed. Using the tip of a sharp pair of scissors, cut the standing crown into small strips. Use buttons or wiggly plastic eyes for the chick's eyes!
Have fun and thanks for looking!! :-)
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18 Comments
11 years ago on Introduction
CUTE CUTE , I just love these little hens. Thanks for sharing your tutorial, i'm new to sewing these are going to be tons of fun to try out. I'll post pictures when i'm done. Thanks again, i'm heading for the hen house now. lol.
11 years ago on Introduction
So cute!
13 years ago on Introduction
Congratulations Heart Flower!
13 years ago on Introduction
Thanks so much, all of you! :-)
13 years ago on Introduction
Is it wrong that I want to BITE them, they're so cute! I agree with the "no needles" comment; LOL! Scchhhweeeettt!! (:
13 years ago on Introduction
Too cute!!!
13 years ago on Introduction
2 words: TOO CUTE!
Sweet + Innovative = 5 stars! An Absolute Winner!
13 years ago on Introduction
Wow! This chick model is marvelous! How cute! Perfect for my sewing room! I especially love the patched model. Its eclectic flavor will add just spice I need to feel motivated and cheerful enough while working! I’ll call it my pin pet! Wonderful!
13 years ago on Introduction
waaay 2 cute 2 stick pins in
13 years ago on Introduction
Haha those little guys are so fat and cute, I want to pinch them! Amazing job!
13 years ago on Introduction
Creative and adorable at the same time!
13 years ago on Introduction
Very cute!
13 years ago on Introduction
How cuuute!
13 years ago on Introduction
This is a really cute idea. Thanks
13 years ago on Introduction
These are just too cute and add a special touch to a sewing room!
13 years ago on Introduction
I have to make one of those, but i keep it as a cuddle toy and not a pincushion, how can you stick needles in something that cute?
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
I would also keep it as a cuddle toy, but when worst comes to worst, then you must stick your need your needles in it, no matter how cute it seem....
13 years ago on Introduction
How adorable, I definitely have to make myself one!