English Paper Pieced Pin Cushion

This is a kit by Sew Motion which I fell in love with and just had to have.
It comes with more than enough fabric and has very clear instructions.

In the past, I have always tacked my papers to the fabric shapes but the kit suggested glue and as my friend glues hers successfully I thought I'd follow suit.

Using 'Sewline' fabric glue pen I glued merrily away. The glue held well and I carefully hand stitched the shapes together.

I then had to remove the papers, this was where the trouble began. The glue held fast.

The only way forward was to keep going but the fabric was becoming frayed despite my trying to slide a pin or the end of my tweezers between the fabric and paper to help release it.

I thought I was going to totally ruin the patchwork.

 The edges had frayed but bits of paper were glued too hard for me to remove without shredding the fabric, so I had to leave them.

It took ages and I was left with a mess.

I carefully folded the turnings inside and as best I could, ironed them down again. I then pinned the patchwork down to the plain fabric very carefully. 

I stitched slowly,  pushing in any ends as I went and I used an even smaller and tighter stitch then I usually would.

Now that it is complete I'm quite happy but will avoid putting pins near the edges of the patchwork for fear of wearing it.

It is large and heavy, as I filled it with ground walnut shells which stops it flipping around and also keeps the pins sharp.

I love the look, I love the vintage 30s fabric.

I shall think twice before using fabric glue again though.

Pin Cushion Danger

I never used a pin cushion, I always used the pins straight from the tin. If I upset the tin and had a major spill over myself and the floor I would find the last few with the help of a magnet.
A few years ago I found a lovely pattern to make felt pin cushions and as usual I made lots.

I have only used one of them and after four years it had become rather full and I was sometimes stabbed when I picked it up so yesterday I sorted it out. I found all these pins.

And these.

A few big needles were also in there but when I squeezed it I found a few smaller needles embedded deep inside and a few more.......
I was stabbed several times as I squeezed and I thought I had them all until I dragged a magnet past the pin cushion and it moved. There were three more inside.
Altogether there were 27 needles!

This poor little pin cushion has served me well but I will not put a needle in it again unless it is threaded and easy to see!

Beware the hidden dangers of the pin cushion!!!