Friday 13 September 2013

Pin It

Hi and welcome to my spot on the Pin IT hop. Thanks to Madame Samm over at Sew We Quilt and Kristen from Meadowbrook for organising and cheering us on. 

I knew the two pin cushions I wanted to make for this hop. Nothing difficult or particularly fancy but both can be used and they can also be put to a different purpose if you wish. First I made a cockerel cushion. I've seen these on the internet and also on this hop. They are easy to make and effective. At first Henry (as he wants to be known) asked for his photo to be taken in doors.


but then he heard that his rival wished to be shown outside so he went and perched on a branch in our apple tree.


All the apples have been picked and will be made into chutney very soon. The leaves are starting to change colour and a few have already fallen .

Henry is a versatile make. Last year we used the same pattern to make juggling bags at Brownies. Henry was made using two charm squares but for the juggling bags we used 4 inch squares. Henry is hoping that I will make a couple of friends for him so he can also have a go at juggling. Just remember to remove the pins before use!

My second make is a cute mouse.The pieces are sewn together by hand using buttonhole stitch and he has beads for his nose and eyes.





I have also used the mouse pattern to make cat toys. For them I left off the beads and added a liberal amount of catnip to the stuffing. This one is definitely a pin cushion even though Picasso tried to run off with it. If you would like the mouse pattern click here You need to set your printer to actual size when you print it.

I keep the the pins I use for quilting in a box which explains why Picasso can knock them all over the floor so easily. Here's the mess he created on his last attack.



Here's hoping he doesn't run off with my new pin cushions since he wont have a pin tin to play with. My flat flower pins are kept in a plastic tube that was used to return a fountain pen to us following its repair.



Pins are interesting as there are many different types with different uses. When I am dressmaking I use straight steel pins.  I pin the patten pieces to the fabric taking the pins from my pin box but from then on until the project is finished they will be stuck into my elegant chaise lounge pin cushion.



Once the project is completed any bent or blunt pins are disposed of and the rest go back into the pin tin. Under the seat of the chaise lounge are thimbles, a tape measure and Mr Rippy. 

I also got down this bag from its usual home as I knew there was another pin cushion in it.



I made the bag several years ago to keep my travelling lace cushion safe. The bag is made in three layers with a thick batting layer to ensure the cushion doesn't get dented. I got the fabric for nothing at a recycling place that provided items that might be useful to crafters.



Inside the bag as well as the cushion is my rabbit pin cushion. It currently has two large pins in it that are used to divide the bobbins into sections on the pillow. Lace pins are made of brass so they wont rust as some lace projects can take quite a time to make. As the lace is woven the threads fasten around the pins which are removed later. I recovered this pillow as the old cover was full of pin holes.

Not only do I like sewing I like all types of craft. So far I haven't found one I don't like. A craft that is fun to do at Christmas or at Easter is decorating  the polystyrene shapes for hanging on the tree. All you need is a shape, some sequins, short pins, ribbon, time and imagination. The pins are Sequin / Lills pins and are only 13mm long. These are best kept in their box as a pin cushion would be very fiddly to use. It's also a good idea to keep inquisitive cats away.




Of course pins are not just about straight pins. I used to baste my quilt sandwich but reading on other peoples blogs about using safety pins I tried it myself and am now converted. I keep my safety pins in an old wooden cigar box.




This is usually full to overflowing and I have a lot of the bright coloured pins which show up well but I've been busy and currently have 4 quilts waiting to be quilted. I need to get my machine back from the repair shop and get on with the quilting.

I hope you enjoyed your visit and now you need to hurry on to the next participant. Here is a list of who is taking part today.


Sew Many Yarns (You are here)

It's been great to have you visit. I'm off to see what everyone else has made. Have a great day.

Lyndsey

79 comments:

  1. Great pincushions that will be fun to use! Thank you for sharing them with us! :)

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  2. This mouse is adorable!
    The chaise longue 'extraordinaire'!
    Cheers,

    Jeanneke.

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  3. The chaise is great, haven't seen anything like that. Oh, that mouse is pretty cute. Cute pirate fabric too! Pins - can't live without them.

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  4. I like the pirate fabric. Nice work on all your pin cushions!

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  5. Great pin cushions, love the mouse! Your chaise is very different, did you make it? Thank you for sharing.

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  6. Love your pin cushions! The rabbit and mouse are just too cute!

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  7. What a great bunch of pincushions - hope they are all friends in the sewing room. Rabbit, Mouse, Henry and his hoped for friends too

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  8. Love all your pin cushions, really cute!

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  9. Cute cushions! Thanks for sharing.

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  10. Nice collection of pincushions...so cute!!! Thanks for sharing :)

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  11. A rooster and a mouse! How cute. I love the chaise pin cushion. Everyone needs that touch of elegance in the sewing room.... I love how you use different pincushions for different types of sewing! I just never seem to get around to discarding any bent pins.... I use mine for sewing round shapes by hand.... Don't laugh...it works.....sort of!
    I loved reading your post. Thank you.

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  12. The chaise is great, haven't seen anything like that. so cute

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  13. A great post, and just love the chaise lounge, did you make that also?

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  14. Great pincushions - as an upholsterer I love the chaise lounge one especially!

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  15. Love the mouse the most.

    Warm regards from Holland,
    Marga♥

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  16. The mouse is my favorite too.. great job!

    have you tried the "curved" straight pins? You will never go back to the straight ones again. :)

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  17. Lyndsey. Wow, what lovely creations. I love that mouse the best because we have a secret family mouse (invisible with a voice that sounds like mine) who comes out every so often, more when my daughters were little). Thanks for sharing all of those pics. And the chaise lounge with pins? How can I lay down there and take a nap, huh?

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  18. Super ! Great ideas :) Thanks for sharing :)

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  19. Really lovely, all otf them, but the couch? Adorable!

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  20. Great pincushions! Love the chaise longue!

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  21. Fantastic Lyndsey....I love the old chaise...and that mouse!

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  22. Such cute pincushions - especially the cute little mouse.

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  23. Your mouse is wonderful! And I really like the chaise.

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  24. Love that cute little mouse and the chaise lounge is really special! Thank you for sharing with us.

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  25. your pc and photos are stellar..the lounger is really amazing...

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  26. Cute mouse and the chaise lounge is a beauty !

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  27. Wow, you've got pins! Love all the ways you store them. That chair is fabulous!

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  28. Interesting comments about pins - that mouse is my favorite. :) blessings, marlene

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  29. Really cute pin cushions. I have to keep my "working" pin cushion in a drawer whenever it isn't being used because my cat, Merlin, will start pulling them out as well. I use the flower head pins and he just loves to flip them. Darn cat! Thanks for sharing.

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  30. Henry and the mouse are very cute pincushions...love the photos. That chaise lounge pincushion is amazing!

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  31. What adorable pin cushions...I love the mouse.

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  32. I love that mouse. I need one in my sewing room. Thank you for sharing all your creative ideas

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  33. the mouse and bunny are sew cute

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  34. Cute pin cushions. I've made several of the birds--they are fun. Thanks for the link for the mouse!

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  35. They are so cute!!! Sapphire the cat would not be allowed to play with it if I made one!

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  36. Love the mouse and the chaise lounge :)

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  37. I like all of your pin cushions, esp. the mouse and the rabbit-so cute! thanks for sharing. vickise at gmail dot com

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  38. Your chaise lounge, mouse and bunny are cute.

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  39. Lyndsey, what a gorgeous pin cushion you have! Thanks for sharing.

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  40. Your pin cushions are so wonderful! I really love the chaise lounge though...don't you just love the mouse one!

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  41. I do love the simplicity of your pinnies, but I do have to say I long for your lounge!! It's a beauty and would make a great addition to my collection. Did you make it???

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  42. Really fine show of pincushions

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  43. That mouse is sooo cute and the chaise lounge is adorable.

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  44. You certainly have a number of different kinds of pin and cushions. Very nice, esp. the mousey.

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  45. You have some great pin cushions! I love the bird and mouse!.

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  46. Lots of cuteness! My cat loves anything red and would totally love that mouse! We put red bows on our Christmas tree just for the entertainment of watching him attack them! :)

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  47. Cute bird pincushion and the mouse. You use pincushions the same way that I do. I use one for my sewing pins, another for my quilting pins, one for needles. Thanks for sharing all the wonderful pin cushions.

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  48. Cute pin cushions. I like to have different ones for different type projects.

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  49. Henry is cute, but the mouse is my fave. And the bunny and the chaise is too cute.. Love that you have separated each type of pin into its own container. I too use safety pins for "basting" a quilt. I found special quilters pins that are safety pins with a "bend" in them. Much easier to use.

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  50. Very clever and cute pincushions ready to comfort needles and pins. Creative Bliss and Great Hop...

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  51. Very nice pincushions!
    Thanks for sharing.
    Cheers
    maggie

    maggiemine42@gmail.com

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  52. I just love needles and pins and all that goes with them. Sew fun to stop in at your blog today!

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  53. Henry and the little mouse are adorable! All of your collection is fabulous.

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  54. I enjoyed your pincushions... especially the mouse and your lounge chair! Thanks for the link for the mouse.

    Susie
    legato1958@aol.com

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  55. I have one of those magnetic circular pincushions commercially made from plastic. I swear by it as I have 3 rescue kitties and used flat head pins so they won't be attracted to them. If I use the ball topped ones, my little black Bombay likes to pull them out of things with her teeth. She's a pistol! I have made mice for them to play with, similar to your mouse pin cushion, but stuffed with a little catnip and they love them. They chew and roll over them with their faces! So as much as I admire all those pretty pincushions, I have to stick with something that's safe for my "helpers." Thanks for sharing.

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  56. Henry and the mice are so adorable!
    xo jan@sewandsowfarm

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  57. Love all your pin cushions, especially the chaise longue! Haha!

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  58. You have some great cute pin cushions! I really liked the elegant chaise lounge. I liked the mouse a lot too, but when I clicked on your link, it went to https://www.dropbox.com/s/sftr6k5f99eg1r6/mouse%20pattern.jpg but then said: Nothing Here and that The file you're looking for has been deleted or moved.

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  59. They are all very nice - love that chaise lounge, and I also keep my safety pins in a little wooden cigar box - so cute! Thanks for sharing and sorry I am late visiting.

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  60. I love your pin cushions! How fun!

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  61. What a beautiful collection you showed us; I will surely make that mouse. And the chaise longue is GORGEOUS, where did you find that;;;;

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  62. Thank you for sharing, I really like the mouse as well, and I wonder if my parent's kitty would like one... I may have to make one and see! I was so happy to learn the use of the quilting safety pins, they are much easier to me than traditional basting as well.
    ~Brandy

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  63. Thank you for sharing your cute animal pincushions

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  64. At first, I thought the owls had taken the day but chickens are making a run for it now!!! Adorable and so is that sweet mouse - it's going to be quite a feat to keep kitty away from it. I love your antique wooden box for the safety pins.

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  65. What cute pin cushions! I love the mice, well not the real ones but you know what I mean. I could totally see my cat taking off with either of those. THX for sharing.

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  66. Great cushions!
    May need to make a few mice... but not as cushions. I have a cat that loves to take all the pins out:( I am SO afraid she will swallow one some day:) I wilp put some nip in that there mouse just for her:)
    Thanks!

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  67. Very cute pincushions! Your collection is awesome. Thanks for sharing.

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  68. Love your bright red mouse! I guess I'm lucky that my cat sticks to inspecting fabrics only.

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  69. Wonderful pincushions cute mouse, thank you for sharing!

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  70. Hi!!! Love your pinnies!!! I love the chick!!! Thanks for the mousie pattern!!!! Thanks for the fun!!!

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  71. Aw, love that little birdie!

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  72. Great pincushions! Ik love your sofa pincushion!

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