Cathedral Window Pincushion

An incredibly easy and beautiful pincushion. Makes a fast gift for the sewer in your life or for yourself since one can never have too many pincushions. If you thought cathedral windows were hard, I can promise that your mind will be changed after making this simple cushion.


one 10.5 inch square of Moda Bella solids white
nine 5 in squares of fabric or charms like Domestic Bliss
one button
thread
craft/button thread
stuffable batting


I used the very bright and colorful Domestic Bliss for a spring pin cushion.

Cut your solid square (or a print) 10.5 inches

Cut your template, I used a folder I found in the filing drawer, to 9 inches

Cathedral windows are mostly folding and ironing. Fold the corner over the edge of the template and iron into place. Then repeat on the other three sides.

Next fold the edges down and press. Repeat on the other three sides.

When the sides are pressed it will look like this:

Take the template out at this point:

Fold your square in half and press:

This is what it looks like if you fold one side back:

Fold the opposite way and press again. When you open your square it will look like this:

Time for more folding. Fold the outer corners in and press:

It will look like this when all four have been pressed:

Now do it all again. Fold each of the corners in and press:

Done with the folding/ ironing part!!!!

Trim one of your 5 in squares to 4.25 inches and place in the center of the open square.

Close the flaps.

Stitch the center to secure the flaps closed. This will not show so it does not have to be pretty!

Take another of your 5 in squares and place in one of the triangles and trim.

Repeat with the rest of the charms.

Fold the edge of the flap over the triangle of fabric and pin into place.

Sew to secure the flap. I used the inside of my 1/4in foot as a guide.

Repeat until you have all the flaps sewn.

Put the top aside and grab your last four charms,

Right sides facing sew them together on one side.

Repeat so you have two sets.

 Press open.

Placing right sides together mark a 2in opening with two pins.

Using a 1/2 in seam  sew up to the pin and do a little back and forth to secure where the opening will be.

Press the seam open.

This is the opening.

Take the cushion top and place it right sides facing and centered on the opening of the cushion back.

Using  1/4 in seam, sew around all four sides.

Trim the excess fabric.

Turn the cushion right side out.

Stuff and stuff some more!

Stitch the back closed.

 The best part...choose a button, attach it and you are DONE!!!!! 

One really cute and adorable 3.5in square pincushion to keep or share!!!!

Kim Niedzwiecki
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