Make this pretty pincushion for the stitchcraft lover in your family.
You will need
• 10 x 30cm natural linen fabric
• remnants of contrast fabrics for appliqué design
• matching coloured thread for the linen and a selection of coloured threads for the appliqué detail
• polyester toy stuffing
To make
1 Cut out two rectangles from the linen each 10 x 15cm. Cut out two circles and a simple flower shape from the fabric remnants.
2 Place the appliqué shapes on the lower edge of one piece of the linen. Set your sewing machine on a small top-stitch and, working in a contrast coloured thread, sew the shapes in place. Work the centre of the flowers in rounds of stitching and form a bold outline for the flower. Leave the edges of the applique fabric raw to create more texture.
3 When completed, darn in all the loose ends. With the right sides of the linen facing, sew the rectangles together around the outer edge, working a 1cm seam allowance. Leave an opening of 7cm in one side for turning.
4 Clip the seam allowance at the corners diagonally and turn through to the right side. Stuff the pincushion with stuffing. Fold under the seam allowance at the opening and hand stitch closed.
Packaging
Instead of using ordinary giftwrap, make your own paper and decorate a red cardboard box with it. You can choose pretty paper for the lid’s top and sides and then play with three different scrapbooking papers and a photo of Frida Kahlo when she was a young woman. Cut out her shape and flowers and wings and glue them to the paper for the lid’s top. Make a colour photocopy of the paper and glue the paper plus the paper for the sides of the lid in position with spray glue. To complete the packaging, line the inside of the box with one of the three scrapbooking papers.
Gift tag
To go with the paper, cut out another flower and glue it onto thicker black paper. Then cut out the flower with a border around it of about 4mm of the black paper. Print out the name of the person in pink letters on black paper, cut out a little flag shape and stitch it in place on the flower with pink embroidery thread. Glue the tag to a strip of black lace and fold it around the box and glue it in place.
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