Bags, Wallets, and Zips

Wagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial

Wagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial by Noodlehead

I’m sharing a tutorial for the pincushions I featured a few weeks ago. My inspiration came from a classic quilt design, the Wagon Wheel and by the quilt pattern in Denyse Schmidt’s Modern Quilts Traditional Inspiration. I hope you’ll enjoy this tutorial and make a few for you and your friends!

Wagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial by Noodlehead

Wagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial by Noodlehead

Materials:

From scraps, cut:

  • (1) 1 1/4″ square
  • (4) 1 1/4″ x 2 1/2″ rectangles
  • (4) 2 1/2″ squares
  • (1) 2″ tall x 13″ wide band
  • (1) circle for bottom using template (not pictured below)

Wagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial by Anna Graham

1/4″ seam allowance unless otherwise noted.

Instructions:

  1. Fold band in half widthwise right sides together. Sew. Press seam open.Wagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial by Anna Graham
  2. Mark band into quarters by first aligning seam and marking opposite folded edge within seam allowance on both top and bottom edges. Then open band and align previous markings and mark folded edges as before.Wagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial by Anna Graham
  3. Sew patchwork top together, sewing right sides together into rows. Press seams open.Wagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial by Anna Graham
  4. Sew rows together matching seams. Press seams open.Wagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial by Anna Graham
  5. Wagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial by Anna GrahamTrim patchwork top to a circle by using template. Use markings as a guide to align to patchwork strips.Wagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial by Anna Graham Wagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial by Anna Graham
  6. With right sides together, pin band to patchwork top aligning quarter markings. Add additional pins between quarter markings if desired. Sew around perimeter with band facing up.pincushion10 Wagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial by Anna Graham
  7. Mark bottom piece into quarters by folding in half and marking at fold line. Open and refold in half the opposite direction aligning markings and mark at fold line.Wagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial by Anna Graham
  8. Repeat Step 4 to attach bottom piece.Wagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial by Anna Graham
  9. With a seam ripper, carefully open up seam in band. You’ll need to open the seam almost to the seam of the top and bottom circles.Wagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial by Anna Graham
  10. Turn pincushion right side out.
  11. Stuff with polyester stuffing (or combination filling of your choice – rice/beans/crush walnut shells add nice weight).Wagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial by Anna Graham
  12. Sew opening in band closed by hand using a ladder stitch.Wagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial by Anna GrahamWagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial by Anna Graham
  13. Press entire top and bottom of pincushion and shape pincushion by placing under a book overnight for a nice even pincushion.

Fabrics: Rain Walk (by me!), Curiosities by Jeni Baker,
Cotton + Steel Basics, Carolyn Friedlander (Architextures and Doe)

You can find Rain Walk at these fine shops!


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Wagon Wheel Pincushion Tutorial by Noodlehead

Enjoy!

Bags, Wallets, and Zips, tutorial

Trail Tote featuring Doe by Carolyn Friedlander

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Happy fall! I paired up with Robert Kaufman again for another free pattern – the Trail Tote! Just like the Cargo Duffle and Manicure wallet, you can jump on over to the Robert Kaufman website and download the pattern for free! I’m honored that this project features Carolyn‘s newest collection – Doe! (it’ll be debuting at Quilt Market this week)

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I was especially happy designing this tote. I had the sketch just waiting to come to life. I love that part of sewing. And this tote is such a great sew! Sorry if that sounds weird, but I’m already cutting out more for me. I’m making myself an exact copy of the large tote. It’s kind of how I work actually, I design a lot to try to figure out a bag that I would love. That sounds pretty self righteous, but I design to help solve my own issues that I encounter.

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Doe is such an amazing collection, and even though I haven’t seen all the prints in person, the colors and designs just make my heart swell. I feel like I say that with each of Carolyn‘s new fabrics, but it’s true. Can’t help it!

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Anyway, I  hope you give the tote a try. I had fun doing the illustrations and writing things up, of course making the bags and the photo shoot were the cherry on top!

Pattern: Trail Tote (designed by me for Robert Kaufman)
Fabric: Doe by Carolyn Friedlander
Zippers: 8″ zipper here, 6″ zipper here, zipper pulls here and here
Magnetic snap HERE

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Bags, Wallets, and Zips, pattern, tutorial

snappy manicure wallet – free pattern

A new free pattern, the Snappy Manicure Wallet!  I joined with Robert Kaufman fabrics again to produce a new free pattern for you! These showcase Ann Kelle‘s cute and fun prints! [This n That and Remix] It’s a little wallet specially designed for nail polish and a few manicure essentials. And it’s a snap to make!

I had a blast making a ton of these. One even made it’s way as a birthday party gift already. I think these would be perfect to pass along to your best friend or even your mom for Mother’s Day! They’d make awesome bridesmaids gifts, too. Can’t wait to make a few more!  Wouldn’t it be fun to make the exterior patchwork? so fun!

Visit Robert Kaufman to download the full pattern.

Enjoy!