For the Love of scraps, especially tiny ones... They always inspire me more than yardage. My most loved sewing accessories, which I use daily, are scrappy and happy looking. There is something special about using small leftover pieces. I also like how fabrics play on a small scale. I truly enjoyed #libertyscrapchallenge hosted by @ava_and_neve last summer. Tiny scraps are so versatile - you can make tiny hexies or other epp shapes, crumb blocks, use them for applique etc.
Today I will share what you can use the skinny scraps for. How about making a Herringbone pincushion?
You will need
- assorted skinny scraps (I had nine scraps 1" x 5" and eight varying width 3/4" - 1 1/2" x 5 ")
- piece of woven interfacing 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" (or according to the size of your finished Herringbone panel)
- piece of batting 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" (or according to the size of your finished Herringbone panel)
- piece of backing fabric 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" (or according to the size of your finished Herringbone panel)
- fiberfill
1. Cut your skinny strips in half so you will have 2 pieces of each print 1" x 2 1/2" approx. (as you see mine slightly varied in length).
2. Place two scraps right sides together and sew the as shown in the picture below.
If you are using Liberty scraps, I would recommend a fine needle (I used Universal Schmetz needle 75), fine thread (I used Gutermann Tera 180, Aurifil 50 would work too) and decrease your stitch length to 2.0.
Simply flip the piece on the right and finger press the seam making sure the seam allowance faces to the right (it is important that all seam allowances go in the same direction, so your block is flat).
3. Add the next strip to the piece on the left.
Always make sure that your seam allowances face upwards.
4. Add the strip to the other side.
And keep adding the strips alternating the sides, keeping your seam allowances facing upwards. This is how your Herringbone panel should look from the front.
Here is the back view.
Now give your panel good press with the hot iron without steam (as not to distort the block).
It is time to trim it! I trimmed mine to 2 1/2" x 5 1/2".
I made another panel from the strips of varying width and trimmed it to 2" x 6" as I wanted to add some linen at the sides.
Liberty fabric is very fine so I added some woven fusible interfacing to the back side.
Now take your backing fabric and batting. Place the backing and patchwork panel right sides together, with batting on top of your panel. Pin the corners and mark the opening (1,5 - 2")
Sew around, locking your stitches in the beginning and at the end and leaving 1 1/2" - 2" opening. Trim the corners.
Now turn your pincushion right side out using some tool to push the corners (I use the holder from an old paint brush). Press with hot iron with steam.
Fill with fiber fill and sew the opening closed. Here is your Scrappy Happy Herringbone pincushion that finished at 2" x 5"! Keep it for yourself or give it as a gift!
You can also add some other fabric to the sides of your patchwork panel and some hand stitching in Perle cotton. This one finished at 2 3/4" x 6 1/4" (I added 1 1/2" linen pieces).
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The herringbone pattern would look great on a tote bag, zip pouch or a cushion as well.
I would like to see your versions of Scrappy Herringbone pincushions. Please, tag me, @nordiccrafter, on Instagram.
Happy Sewing!