Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Seams to Me Project: Pincushion Caddy

Funny that Oiyi left a comment yesterday saying she has yet to make anything from Seams to Me, because I finished my first project from that book last night. I borrowed the book from the library just so I could make the Pincushion Caddy, but lucky for you, I also found out that this is a free pattern online!
Pincushion Caddy 1
So. This pattern was kind of fun and kind of easy. It was definitely fun picking out the fabrics, but there is a ton of hand sewing involved. Thanks to my Dear Jane quilt, hand sewing doesn't frighten me as much as it used to, so it was ok.
Pincushion Caddy 2
At one point in the pattern it tells you to sew the eight wedges together with a 3/8 inch seam. I found this too small, and had to go back and sew about half the seams to 5/8, so I would recommend just sewing with a 1/2 inch seam to start. I used Peltex 72, which is Pellon's stiffest double sided fusible. I can't find any reason why it called for double sided fusible. One sided fusible I can see, but I never fused anything to both sides of the interfacing. It was also not stiff enough, as you can see by this photo. It sort of collapsed into itself, but it doesn't really bother me because it's cute unless you look from this angle. Plus you can stuff it full of stuff and you'll never notice it.
Pincushion Caddy 3
The reason why I made this is so I can work on my hand applique Dear Jane blocks in front of the TV and have everything there with me. Oh, and also so I don't leave needles around on the table. It turned out a bit wonky, but I love it anyway.

As for the other patterns in the book, I'm a bit split. There are a few that I can see myself making, like the smock and the one of everything bag, oh and maybe this gorgeous taxi tote, but I think for now I'll just keep it on my wish list.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oooh this is super cute. I bet I have enough scraps to make one.

Oiyi said...

I want to make that pin cushion caddy, too. Thanks for the advice and tips.

I have a tendency to leave needles on the table and they end up on the floor. Whoops!

abcgirl said...

great colors! i'm thinking about making a "scrap bag" that would hold snipped threads and other scraps while I sew. My MIL has one and it's so handy!

FinnyKnits said...

You had me all the way up to "hand sew". I don't do the handsewing so much.

But yours came out swell and I love those colors. GO ORANGE.

Rebekah said...

this is so cute! Yay you for making a project from a craft book. These days, i just seem to browse books and put them back on my bookshelf.

I love the fabric combo that you used for this...thanks for including the free link to the pattern!

Junie Moon said...

Your pin cushion caddy came out great, love the colors. I have the book, too, and will take another look at this project. Thanks for sharing it.

African Kelli said...

you did a great job! that came out really nicely. I haven't tackled that pattern yet, but am loving hte book.

Anonymous said...

Despite it being a little wonky, it is still fabulous! I made it, too, and had exactly the same problems. Good to see that I am not the only one, I thought it was all due to my inexperience.

Kim said...

The link to the free pattern doesn't work anymore :(
did anyone save it?
it is sooo cute!
strut526 at gmail.com

sewprimitive karen said...

I've also discovered that the pattern is gone from the craftzine site; if you kept the directions, could you possibly email them to me? I'd love to make it.

Lavinia said...

Hi! it turned out very good! I love your fabric choice. I also tried the pattern and had a lot of trouble! I put some x-ray film inside the tube so it won´t collapse and it worked ok! But I forgot to add the base, so it´s bottomless.. LOL!
Love,
Lavinia