Dresden Plate Pincushion

This my Dresden Plate Pincushion, made from a design that I had seen on Pinterest.  As soon as I saw it, I knew that I just had to make one for myself.

I had lots of tiny scraps left from cutting hexagons for the quilt that I am making and this project was perfect for using those tiny little pieces of fabric that were not large enough to cut a hexagon.

I used the tutorial found here at Mollie Flanders Makerie for the Dresden piecing.  This tutorial gives a printable template for the necessary pieces.

So I made the tiny Dresden Plate, but wanted the actual pincushion to have some weight and substance to it.  I cut two 6 1/2 inch circles of fabric and sewed them, right sides together, leaving a one inch opening.  I turned the circles right side out and filled with crushed walnut shells, my filling of choice for weighted pincushions, then stitched the opening closed.  The walnut shells have a natural oil that acts as a lubricant for pins and needles. After filling, I wrapped the pincushion with embroidery floss as shown in the photo below.  This step firms up the pincushion and makes it hold it's shape.

Then I sewed the Dresden Plate to the pincushion, added a yo-yo, a vintage button, some cute pins and it was done!

The fabric possibilities here are endless.  I can't wait to make more as gifts for my friends who sew and quilt.