Free Pattern- Halfsies Pincushions (Three designs)

A pincushion is every sewers best friend and constant companion. Its always right there beside you as a safe place for all your pins and needles while you work - a bit like our mum's, sweet, dependable and versatile.

As Mother's Day is next week, I thought I'd share a new free pattern with you, and this one is perfect for the sewing mum, or a little treat for your.

Here are my simply adorable, Halfsies Pincushions:

I have lots of patchwork and stitched pincushions but I have this weird habit of not sticking pins into the pretty patchwork or stitcheries. The solution for me was to design these "halfsies" so I can jab the pins into the linen half and still be able to admire the pretty patchwork half without lots of pinholes in the fabric (I told you it was weird).

I designed three Halfsies Pincushions for you, and each design is paper pieced to make them quick, easy and accurate to sew. You can choose either the Lady of the Lake, Variable Sawtooth Star and Pineapple blocks for these pincushions, or sew all three. They are great stash buster projects, and they quick, easy and so much fun - paper piecing half of a Pineapple block, gave me so much joy. :)

They finish at 5" square, making them a generous size so you wont lose them on your cutting or sewing table, and they make a pretty addition to your sewing bag.

I used a lovely charcoal Essex linen on the plain side and the backs of my pincushions. I love sewing with this linen as its adds gorgeous texture and warmth to any design. I can happily stick my pins in the linen and leave the patchwork half untouched.

I quilted the linen half with 1/2" spaced diagonal lines and I stippled the patchwork half with some free motion swirls to give them some lovely texture.

If your mum's a sewer like mine, she's going to love one of these as part of her Mother's Day gift. Choose the design you love, pick some gorgeous fabrics and make her a handmade gift that is useful, pretty and offers her a safe place for all her pins and needles as she sews. Or make all three, just make sure you sew one for yourself too :)

I used a mix of Bonnie and Camille fabrics but of course they will look lovely in any fabric or colour combination. You could use a solid homespun instead of the linen or showcase a lovely large print fabric, and sew the patchwork half in some coordinating solids. The possibilities are endless.

The free pattern includes full instructions and full sized paper piecing templates for each design, plus a few tips along the way including options for filling your pincushions. I used Hobby Fill for my pincushions but there are lots of other options that can help keep your pins and needles sharp, make your pincushion fragrant or a great use of scraps and trimmings. I've listed them in the pattern so you have them for future reference.

I've also included a section on adding some little extras to the pincushions, to make them even more special and unique.

If you would like to make a Halfsies Pincushion for your mum, or any mum who sews this Mother's Day, simply click the link to download the free pattern:

Have fun sewing these cute Halfsies Pincushions. They're a quick and easy project to sew for mum and she's going to love them!

Happy sewing :)