Make this pin cushion easily with a few handy supplies:

2 fabric prints

polyester fiberfill

#3 or #5 pearl cotton

(also suitable: #8 pearl cotton or 6-strand embroidery floss)

2 buttons

Tools: sewing machine, thread, a chopstick, hand-sewing needle, darning needle (long, sharp- pointed, large-eyed needle), scissors.

Make a 5” diameter cardboard template. A cereal box works well.

From two different fabric prints, draw and cut out two 5” diameter circles.

Sew to join circles, right sides together.

With a slightly shortened stitch length (14 stitches per inch), backstitch to start, and sew using a ¼” seam. Backstitch, leaving a small, 1½” opening for turning.

Turn the sewn circle to the right side. Use the end of a chopstick on the inside to push out the seam allowance.

Stuff the circle with polyester fiberfill. Use small pieces so the pin cushion doesn’t become lumpy.

As the pin cushion becomes fatter, use the chop stick to push fiberfill into the sewn edges.

The pin cushion will need more fiberfill than you expect. When you think it’s full, add a few more bits.

Use regular sewing thread to hand sew a neat, secure closing. Use a short blind stitch or ladder stitch.

Cut a very long (80”-90”) length of pearl cotton. Thread through a darning needle, doubling it. Tie a knot to secure thread ends together.

Eyeball the center of the pin cushion. Take a stitch from the bottom to the top of the pin cushion. Insert the needle through the loop formed at the bottom knotted end of the thread.

Pull tightly, keeping the knot at the bottom center of the pin cushion.

Stitch again through the center to make a second wrap directly across from the first wrap.

Repeat, dividing the pin cushion into quarters, pulling the thread tightly to form sections.

Repeat, dividing the pin cushion into eights.

Cut the thread near the needle. Use the two thread ends to tie a secure knot. Snip to remove thread tails near the knot.

To embellish your pin cushion, and hide stitches, sew a button to the bottom and the top of the pin cushion.

Use the darning needle and same thread, doubling the thread and tying ends together in a knot.

Stitch through the center of the pin cushion to add a button to the bottom...

...and a button to the top.

Secure well. Clip thread.

Admire your handiwork!

Try this: Cut 2” or 3” fabric circles to make a smaller pin cushion. Sew ⅜”- to ½”-wide elastic to the bottom, and wear your pin cushion on your wrist.