DIY Mannequin Pin Cushion
DIY Mannequin Pin Cushion
I came up with the idea to make a DIY mannequin pin cushion for my sewing room. I really thought it was a cute original idea until I saw this terrific pattern and video on the DIYdish. Rather than using the pattern I managed to eek out using a jewelry model I have and that you have seen in previous photos I decided to use the one from DIYdish with a link to that site and proper attribution. So this is not a pattern of my own but it is so cute I thought to share my own tutorial as well as the video posted on the other website. I hope you all give it a try it is easy to make and a terrific pin cushion for your sewing room.
What you will Need:
- Pattern you can get by clicking on this link
- 1 fat quarter of fabric
- Fiberfill
- 1/4″ thick foam board
- Small oval of felt
- 1 candlestick or some other tall base
- 1 button (optional)
- 1 Mini Christmas ornament or cabinet knob
- Hot Glue
Step 1: DIY Mannequin Pin Cushion
Print out the pattern and cut it out of your fat quarter. You should have a front, a back and two sides. Make sure that one of the sides is the reverse of the other.
Step 2: DIY Mannequin Pin Cushion
With right sides together pin the front to the back at the shoulders. Using 1/4″ seam allowance sew from the top of the neck to the top of the shoulder on each side. All seams in this project will use 1/4″ seam allowance.
Step 3: DIY Mannequin Pin Cushion
Pin one side to the front and back alternating between pinning from top to bottom to achieve a nice even curve. Make sure the bottoms line up. Do the next for the other side. Sew the sides to the front and back starting from the bottom hemline area. Clip all of the curves.
Step 4: DIY Mannequin Pin Cushion
Turn right side out. Stuff the pin cushion with the fiberfill so that it is tightly stuffed but there is a little fabric left around the bottom.
Step 5: DIY Mannequin Pin Cushion
Place the foam board oval to the bottom to hold in the stuffing and hot glue the fabric to the oval. Place the oval of felt to cover up the raw edges of the fabric you just hot glued and Hot glue the felt.
Step 6: DIY Mannequin Pin Cushion
Add the finial to the top of the mannequin using hot glue and hot glue the Mannequin to the top of your candlestick or other base.
Step 7: DIY Mannequin Pin Cushion
If you would like to add a brooch to your mannequin, take a length of fabric and sew a running stitch along the length. Pull the running stitch so that the fabric scrunches into a flower shape. Knot the ends and add a button to the center and sew it to your mannequin. You can also add lace or other trim to make your pin cushion your own. Your DIY mannequin pin cushion is now finished.
I’ve spent the past two hours making this. I’d like to make a few suggestions to make this a less confusing project. The side pattern needs to be marked with the front and back edges. I’m am experienced sewers and it took me a few minutes to figure out which side went on the back and front. I’ve always been taught to clip curved seams so they lay flat. That’s not mentioned in these directions, so I didn’t. The video stresses to clip the top of the side piece but not where it should be placed. I still need to stuff it and then finish closing the bottom.
I really like these little mannequins and want to make more. The video didn’t give enough help with making these, either. The girls talked too fast and didn’t show enough of how to ease the side pieces to the front and back pieces.
It has been a while since I have made these. Unfortunately, the pattern is not mine so I cannot modify it. I should have stated to clip the curves. I will add that to the instructions. I appreciate you taking the time to provide your insight to the instructions and the video. Your comments will help others. Thank you.
I like to have emory in my pincushions to keep my pins sharp. How could I add this to the mannequins?
You could simply add it or you could also add steel wool to keep the pins sharp.