In my ongoing quest to cute-up the dull, it's time to attack the wrist pincushion. Who wrote the law that wrist pincushions must be ugly and uncomfortable? Did it begin with the red-plastic snap-on variety of my mother's generation; in our excitement for the advent of plastic, did we take things too far?** Or were we torturing ourselves long before then?
True, there have been some commercial attempts to add personality to the plain old pincushions of the past: gingham hearts, lavendar daisies and so forth. With a lack of alternatives, I might prefer painful-to-wear over painful-to-look-at.
Bring on the bloggers. I'm not the first to offer a solution. Megan of Crafty Intentions whipped up an octopus from Futuregirl's pattern -- a wristopus? Super cool. Lori La Tortuga made a fun little owl once upon a time. Super cute. And Planet June has a great tutorial for a simple, but stylish Offset Square Wrist Pincushion. Super chic.
I'll take a stab at pretty.
Here, I've taken my new free pattern, Spring Violets (announced in our May newsletter) and adapted it to the cause. For the wrist band, I cut two rectangles of felt, 1.5" x 7.25" and 2" x 7.25". (Measure your wrist to make sure this works for you -- allow overlap for a velcro closure.)
With hot glue, I attached a thin circle of wood at the center of the wider felt band and pinked the edges of the felt. I then layered the smaller felt band on top, enclosing the wooden disc. I edge-stitched the bands together around the perimeter, then attached velcro at each end as a closure. Lastly, I whip-stitched the Spring Violets in place above the wooden disc. The flowers are attached to a small, stuffed tuffet (see pattern) which is perfect for pins. The wooden disc keeps your wrist whole-not-holey. (Check the woodcraft section of your local craft store.)
That's it. Pretty simple.
Click here to download the flower instructions. Let me know if you have any questions. Looking for felt? We've got plenty of that.
** However uncomfortable, I am totally nostalgic for those clamp-on red pincushions. Even though my mom usually kept pins between her teeth, she always wore a ratty red wrist-cushion covered with a rainbow of threaded needles.
I'm always sticking the pins in my teeth too-- with the tape measure around my neck! This is a way more stylish solution--and much safer I might add!
Posted by: April Heather Davulcu | July 25, 2011 at 04:46 AM
This adorable and such a nice looking upgrade from the red clamp-on type(of which I have several).
Enjoy your day!
Posted by: Lisa @celebrate CREATIVITY | July 25, 2011 at 06:54 AM
Those red plastic wristband itch me like crazy and fall off every five minutes. But I love the idea. So this is perfect. Hmmm, maybe I should make a couple of extras for my sewing friends.
Posted by: jennie w. | July 25, 2011 at 07:01 AM
What a pretty pin cushion! I always love your clever ideas. =)
Posted by: Christina | July 25, 2011 at 08:10 AM
So cute, I need one of those!
Posted by: Christine Davis | July 25, 2011 at 09:44 AM
Very cute, love it! Definitely a good idea to make a pretty version of those things.
Posted by: Catherine | July 25, 2011 at 09:57 AM
What a clever and lovely idea! Thank you!
Posted by: Noga from Israel | July 25, 2011 at 10:30 AM
I lovvve this pin-cushion!! Thank you for sharing the pattern! you're the best! ♥♥♥
Posted by: Luisa Abrahamson | July 25, 2011 at 07:32 PM
Thanks! And it's easy to make too. Send me photos when you finish yours up.
Posted by: Heather Bailey | July 25, 2011 at 10:53 PM
All his talk about the old red wrist pincushions is making me miss my grandma.
Posted by: Heather Johnson | July 25, 2011 at 10:57 PM
I have made all of your pin cushions and love them all. I can't wait to make one of these. Love the colors! Thanks for the pattern and info.
Posted by: jackie | July 28, 2011 at 10:11 AM
I love it!
Posted by: Theophanie | July 31, 2011 at 11:30 PM
I invite you take a look at my version...
http://colourdujour.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/finish-it-fast-sewing/
Posted by: peggyann | August 02, 2011 at 05:50 PM
Love it (:)
hugs-patty
Posted by: patty | August 04, 2011 at 10:15 AM
Beautiful, and of course, SO clever :) OK, now I want one :)
Posted by: sara stubbert | August 07, 2011 at 01:20 AM
I LOVE this!!!
Posted by: ...love Maegan | August 07, 2011 at 06:32 PM
Oh wow, I just love this! So beautiful!!!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | August 19, 2011 at 10:11 AM
A clear evident of your creativity.
So beautiful creation.
Cassy from How To Strum A Guitar
Posted by: Cassy | August 31, 2011 at 09:25 AM
I absolutely ADORE this! Thank you so much!!
Posted by: Dawn | September 01, 2011 at 12:16 AM
This is beautiful. How it should be when creating beautiful things, right?
Posted by: Michelle | September 07, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Such a beautiful pincushion... Makes me want to take on sewing :)
Your designs are so lovely, and I've just stumbled upon this blog, but I love it already and can't wait to see more of your creations.
Posted by: Marija | September 10, 2011 at 11:24 AM
That is so, so cute! What a lovely idea.
Posted by: Collette of Serendipity Handmade | September 11, 2011 at 04:54 PM
I just love the way of your working! Thanks for everything. Brilliant post!
Posted by: Online Logo Design | October 20, 2011 at 01:25 AM
I've just stumbled upon this blog, but I love it already and can't wait to see more of your creations.
Posted by: Alicia | February 21, 2012 at 10:51 PM