Wednesday, April 20

diy cute bug pin cushion [ free PDF template ]


Hello lovelies,
today I'm sharing an easy handmade gift idea for friends who sew (or keep it for yourself)! Plus it's a great way to use up those itty bitty pieces of leftover fabric :)
*
Hallo, ihr Lieben,
die komplette Nähanleitung (Deutsch) für dieses süße Krabbelkäfer-Nadelkissen inklusive Vorlage findet Ihr im Dawanda Do-It-Yourself Portal :)

You'll need

leftover cotton fabric
iron-on interfacing (thin)
polyfill fiber (for stuffing)
rick rack trim (for the legs) - sponsored by Union Knopf
fabric marker
matching thread
basic sewing kit
sewing machine

Download the free PDF template. Use a very narrow seam allowance unless indicated otherwise


  1. Print and cut out the paper template. 
  2. Iron the interfacing to wrong side of fabric left overs. The fabric pieces should be big enough to accomodate the paper template pieces
  3. Lay template on wrong side of fabric and trace around each with fabric pen. As indicated on template (I know it's in German, but it's the numbers that are important) cut out two pieces for the bug head, two pieces for the bug belly, one piece for bug middle back and two pieces (different fabric) for the bug wings.

  1. Sew head pieces together, right sides facing. The dashed line as indicated on the template should be left open. Snip away small triangles along the curves. Turn right side out. Then stuff a tiny bit of polyfill fiber into it.
  2. Next attach wings right sides facing to middle back piece, straight edge aligned. Stitch using a narrow seam allowance. Iron seams to one side.
  1. Cut rick rack trim into 6 pieces each measuring 1.5 " 
  2. Attach to wings as indicated on template
  3. Attach head at the narrow end of middle back piece with raw edges aligning
  4. Baste

  1. Lay bug belly pieces rights sides together and stitch straight edge leaving a 4" gap
  2. Iron seam open

  1. Lay back piece and belly piece right sides together. Don't worry - back piece is slightly larger than belly piece to accomodate the polyfill fiber and to create a nice mound shape!
  2. Make sure the edges are aligned and pin all around
  3. Stitch using a 0.4" seam allowance, go slowly when you come to the head part
  4. Snip little triangles as you did for the head
  5. Turn carefully through opening and pack tightly with polyfill fiber
  6. Stitch gap closed by hand

Your little 'bug' pin cushion is finished!
photo signature_zpscqkypdzs.png

21 comments:

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

Hallo liebe Duni,
eine sehr schöne und plausible Anleitung für dieses süße kleine Nadelkissen.
Ich habe mir am Samstag die vereinfachte Form davon genäht.
Viele liebe Grüße, Synnöve

Duni said...

Danke Dir, Synnöve :) Nadelkissen kann (frau) nie genug haben!

Paige @ Little Nostalgia said...

OMG! This is adorable! I was shopping for some vintage sewing notions yesterday, and kept finding little goodies that would've been perfect for a young person's first sewing kit. This bug would be great for that, too.

AntiquityTravelers said...

what a great idea and such a cute result!!

Miss Val's Creations said...

This is so cute Duni. It would make a fun gift for a seamstress friend.

Duni said...

Thanks everyone!

Natashalh said...

So cute! And I really love the blue fabric - the pattern and colors are great!

Mechelle said...

This is so cute and clever!

Ann said...

what a cute pin cushion that is. I read somewhere that if you put some steel wool in your pincushions it helps keep your pins sharp.

Memories for Life said...

What a cute way to use up leftovers :)

Abby / Linda said...

Sew cute, Duni!

Annette said...

What a great idea for scrap fabric! It's too cute!

Claudia said...

Liebste Duni,
das ist ein tolles Nadelkissen, mal ganz anders! Danke für die so schön gemachte Anleitung dazu!
Ich wünsche Dir einen wundervollen Tag!
♥ Allerliebste Grüße, Claudia ♥

Vanessa said...

That's adorable! :D I love making things out of scraps, too.

T@PoppyPlacePdx said...

Oh D. :)

This is just the cutest :)

Happy Thursday, cheers, T. :)

Chelsey said...

SO cute Duni!

zina said...

So cute!!!!

Flöckchenliebe said...

Liebe Duni,
Dein süßer Krabbelkäfer erinnert mich an den von meiner Mutter. Sie hat ihn mir genäht, als ich ca. 5 Jahre alt war. Er ist allerdings größer und ist natürlich kein Nadelkissen.
Ich müsste mal nach ihm suchen - denn irgendwo habe ich ihn gelagert, da ich ihn immer sehr mochte.
Viel Freude an Deinem!
Liebe Grüße
ANi

Sarah Leonard said...

Your sewing projects are always so perfect Duni (and mine are so wonky!) You give me something to aim for :)

dreneewilson said...

This is adorable! I'm "pinning" for my sewing friends.

Duni said...

Thanks Renee! Appreciate it :)