Cupcake Pin Cushion

Don't you just love cupcakes?  They are so cute, and the perfect size.  I've had this pin cushion in my head for weeks, and I finally made it last week.  I'm thrilled with how it came out.  Store your pins in the top, but don't worry--if you accidentally drop some pins, there are strong magnets on the bottom to help you pick them up!

Supplies

• One fat quarter of fabric for top
• One fat quarter of fabric for bottom (you could use scraps)
• Strong magnets
• Hot glue gun and glue
• Batting & polyfil
• Embroidery hoop
• Base - I bought mine at Joann Fabrics for $1!
• Printed spiral (go to the site, then right click the spiral and select print)
• Scissors
• Sewing Machine & thread

Directions

1. Fill the base of your pincushion with magnets (glue in place).

2. Cut a strip of fabric to surround the base. I cut mine twice as long as the circumference of the base and 2.5 inches wider.  Fold the top over about 1.5 inches.  Set the tension on your sewing machine as high as it will go, and the longest stitch length.  Sew a line over the fold 3/8 inch from the edge.  Sew again 1 inch from the other edge.

3. Glue fabric around the base at four evenly spaced points.  Be sure to not glue over the thread.  Pull the thread to gather the fabric tightly around the base, then glue in place in complete ring around top and bottom of the base.  Cut a small circle of fabric and glue to bottom to cover all ends.

4. Cut two pieces of your top fabric and one layer of batting about 8 inches by 8 inches. 
5. Lay one piece of the top fabric right side down, then a layer of batting, then another piece of top fabric right side up.
6. Place your spiral on top of your fabric and batting, place all layers in embroidery hoop, then sew on the spiral line with a stitch length of 2 (normal tension).


7. Remove from embroidery hoop.  Increase the tension and stitch length again, then sew two circles around the spiral.

8. Pull the thread ends to gather the spiral into a ball shape.  Place inside the base, and glue 3/4 the way around.
9. Stuff the pin cushion with as much polyfil as it will handle, then glue opening shut.
10. Poke all you pins in, and admire your work!