Monday, August 17, 2009

A Lacey Candlestick Pincushion






Hot off my sewing table! Just finished three pincushions and this is the one I wanted you to see today...a lacey candlestick pincushion. It is made from a plaid pattern wool fabric. Of course, it takes such a small amount of fabric, the plaid no longer looks like a plaid. It's in lavender, pink and blue...very soft colors.

This type of pincushion begins life as a plain candlestick purchased at the flea market. You know know I love to find things there. I have a pretty large collection of them at the moment, and after my September teaching assignment, I plan on making several of these for my etsy shop. This one may end up there if it doesn't sell at the retreat.

The lace for this pincushion is some of that gorgeous white rayon lace you can purchase from all kinds of places. It is painted with Setacolor paints...you can even use an acrylic paint, watered down, of course, it you want it to be pale. I always heat set whatever I have painted after it dries.

The upper edge of the lace is beaded with seed beads, also in pale colors. There is a feather stitch embroidered down each of the seams on the wool...in pale shades of DMC floss.

Then, there's "that" button. It's a one and a half inch button, covered in wool. I made a beaded flower and a couple of leaves and added them to the top of the button.
Like me, you can learn to make these flowers from a tutorial featured on Amy's blog at
in-the-fold.blogspot.com. They are FUN! The leaves on the button are just sewn on in a leaf shape, but the leaves at the bottom of the pincushion are made from a tutorial of Amy's also. And, once you get the hang of it, both flower and leaf are quick to make. (It's sort of like eating those potato chips...you won't want to stop!)

I also beaded the edge of the button. Using a whip stitch, I threaded three beads on the needle then skipped about 1/4 inch (maybe a tad shorter than that), then took a whip stitch, three beads, again, etc. It's easy.

Adding the ribbon, flowers and leaves at the bottom of the pincushion just finished it off for me..a little something extra!

What do you think? Hope you enjoyed this little lacey thing...take care. pat

14 comments:

Carmen said...

Your pincushion is very pretty.

Sherry said...

Oh, Pat! You just really outdid yourself on this one! It looks good enough to eat -- like those fancy cupcakes that are so popular right now. I've got to get mine finished so I can make another one!

Judy said...

It took my breath away. When I clicked and the pincushion showed up I just went OOOOHHHHH!!! It is so beautiful Pat. I think this is my favorite (at least until you show us another one)!

Dolores said...

Love the extra touches - the lace and the beaded button.

Anonymous said...

Pat, you just go from strength to strength. One is more beautiful than the other! I love them all, and love to see how you can make so many statements like this. I is just fun to watch what you will come up with next! You go girl!

Poppy Cottage said...

Another job well done! It's beautiful!!

Sharon

Anne said...

Love the intricate beading and the painted lace. Excellent work, as always.

qwerty said...

Pat, that is darling!! I'm not a pastel-y person generally, but this is so ethereal and pretty. The glass candlestick is perfect - it's part of that 'ethereal' feel.

What I've never understood about using bases for pincushions is how the cushion is attached, if at all. Do you just balance it on there or do you glue it, or.....?

Amy Munson said...

Love the pin cushion and am thrilled you still are making the flowers. I hope to have a few more tutorial up by the end of the year. Everything creative has kind of taken a back seat to family this summer.

Robin Ennis Willson said...

Gorgeous! What a great idea to paint lace...don't know why I never thought of it. Thank you for sharing, and for sharing how you made this!

Cindy said...

Oh my gosh...that is beautiful! What a great idea!

Thanks for the nice comment you just left!

Maggie Ann said...

How very elegant and I love the dainty touch the seed beads give it. You make it look so attainable! And SO beautiful!

Sandie said...

What a brilliant idea and use of an old glass candlestick. Good luck with your sales.
Sandie at Rag Rescue

Peonies & Magnolias said...

You do such beautiful work.

Sandy

A Bit of Heaven

A Bit of Heaven
An original designed wall quilt with my vision of heaven on earth.