Hello, fellow crafters and sewing enthusiasts! Ready to dive into a fun and festive sewing project? We’ve got just the thing for you – a charming Pumpkin Pincushion! Perfect for the fall season, this adorable little creation is not only practical but also a delightful addition to your sewing kit or home decor.

Whether you're a seasoned sewing enthusiast or a newbie looking for a simple and rewarding project, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process. So, grab your supplies, put on your favorite cozy playlist, and let's get crafting!

 

Materials You Will Need:

• Cotton or Flannel Fabric cut to 10" Square
• Yo-yo maker (jumbo size)
• Sharpie marker
• Hand quilting thread
• Embroidery needle (size 7)
• Polyfill stuffing
• Percensia Perle Cotton Size 8 (or similar thread for wedges)
• Doll or upholstery needle
• Liquid Stitch glue
• Green felt (for the top of pumpkin and leaves)
• Florist's wire (optional)
• Scissors
• Pencil

Check with your favorite local or online quilt shop for any and all of these items!

Moda Shop Locator: https://bit.ly/Moda-Store-Locator

If you prefer to learn via video, below is a very fun step-by-step video tutorial hosted by our favorites Ta-Da (that's Tammy and Dawn!)

Step 1: Prepare Your Fabric and Yo-Yo Maker

• Start with a 10-inch square of fabric. Lay it flat and place the yo-yo maker on top.
• Using a Sharpie, mark the little knobs on the side of the yo-yo maker. This will help you align the fabric correctly.

Step 2: Attach the Fabric to the Yo-Yo Maker

• Lay the fabric over the yo-yo maker, aligning it with the marked knobs.
• Snap the yo-yo maker into place, ensuring the fabric is held securely.

Step 3: Trim the Excess Fabric

• Leave a quarter-inch seam allowance around the edges and trim the excess fabric.

Step 4: Thread Your Needle

• Use a strong hand quilting thread and double it for extra strength. Cut about two yards and thread your embroidery needle. Make a large, thick knot at the end.

Step 5: Start Stitching

• Begin stitching beside the black dot you made on the yo-yo maker. Fold the fabric (seam allowance) down and stitch through the fabric, not the plastic. Keep the seam allowance folded back as you go around. You will go in one side of the smile from the back and then out on the other side of the smile. Keep stitching until you get back to you black dot. Then you will go in and out of your starting smile one more time, being careful not to stitch through the precious thread. 

Step 6: Make your Pumpkin Yo-Yo Bowl

• Once you’ve stitched all around, pull the knot and the loose thread to gather the fabric into a bowl shape. The fabric might go inside out, once you get some of the circle shape gathered, you can turn the fabric right side out.

• Turn it inside out to form a small purse-like shape. Use a handful of stuffing to get the initial shape formed, but don't use too much, you will continue to add small amounts of polyfil in the next step. Pull the thread tight to close the opening, leaving a small hole the size of a dime.

Step 7: Stuff the Pumpkin

• Fill the yo-yo with polyfill stuffing. Make sure not to stick your finger in the hole. Use That Purple Thang or a chop stick to insert small anounts of stuffing at a time until you have your desired shape and firmness.

Step 8: Add the Wedges

** We definitely recommend watching the video tutorial for this part, it is not an easy thing to explain via text! **

• Cut about a yard and a half of Percensia Perle Cotton Size 8 thread. Thread a doll or upholstery needle with a single strand and make a large knot at the end.
• Insert the needle through the center of the pumpkin, pulling the thread through to create defined wedges. Repeat this process four times to make eight wedges.

Step 9: Create the Stem and Top Leaves

• Cut a circular flower shape from felt and then cut a small slit into the middle by folding it in half. 
• Insert a small twig (these can be found all over your yard!)
• Add a generous amount of Liquid Stitch glue into the dime sized circle in the top of your pumpkin and insert the twig/leave, allow to cure. 

Step 10: Add Extra Leaf and Curly-Q (Optional)

• Cut out felt leaves and attach them around the stem using the liquid stitch glue.
• Take a piece of florist's wire and twist it around a pencil to form a curlicue. Leave about an inch at the bottom to insert into the pumpkin.

 

Enjoy Your Pumpkin Pincushion!

Your Pumpkin Pincushion is now ready to use or display. It makes a perfect gift or a charming addition to your sewing space.

Thank you for crafting with us today! We hope you enjoyed this project!

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