June 29, 2020

Pincushion Parade Blog Hop {Quilt As You Go}

Today I'm back with my final pincushion tutorial for the Pincushion Parade Blog Hop hosted by DayBrook Designs! I can't believe June is almost over. I didn't have time to make as many pincushions as I had hoped, but I've added so many of them to my to-make list.

Today's pincushion uses a quilt as you go (QAYG) technique. I like to use QAYG when sewing with small scraps because the batting acts as a stabilizer which keeps the pieces from getting all wonky and distorted. I made these colorful pincushions with some ridiculously small Island Batik fabric scraps.


One of my favorite QAYG projects is this thread catcher basket from The Sewing Chick. QAYG is fun and easy so grab some fabric and batting scraps, and let's make a pincushion!
  1. Gather up some fun fabric scraps and a scrap piece of batting. I save all sorts of crazy scraps for this type of project. I may have rescued these scraps from the trash at a quilt retreat last fall.
  2. Arrange your scraps as desired on your batting. For ease of piecing, you want your scraps to be about the same height.
  3. Lay your first two scraps right sides together on top of the batting scrap. Stitch 1/4" away from the raw edge.
  4. Press fabrics open.
  5. Place your next fabric on top of your quilted pieces (right sides together) and stitch a seam 1/4" away from the raw edge.
  6.  Press open.
  7. Keep adding scraps until your quilted piece is the desired size. At this point you could add borders or do more quilting. 
  8. Trim your completed QAYG piece.
  9. Cut a piece of backing fabric the same size as your quilted pincushion top. 
  10. Place your backing on top of your pincushion top right sides together. Stitch 1/4" around the edge leaving an opening for turning.
  11. Turn piece right side out and fill with desired material (e.g., PolyFil, crushed walnut shells, fabric or batting scraps, etc).
  12. Hand stitch the opening closed, and admire your fun new pincushion!


There are so many fun possibilities with this technique. I can't wait to see what your create! If you make a QAYG pincushions, be sure to post it on Instagram! Tag me (@stephjacobsondesigns) and @daybrookdesigns and use the hashtag #PincushionParadeBlogHop to be entered into a drawing for some fabulous prizes. You can get all the blog hop details and a handy download to keep track of your progress, head over to this post.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy sewing!

1 comment:

  1. ❤ What a beautiful pincushion. Thanks for the tutorial. Now to try the thread catcher basket.

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