I saw this cute pin cushion in a book and ran home to try it! I use pins all the time in my sewing but hate how lightweight the cushions usually are, slipping off the table as I try to work with one hand while holding fabric in place. This little pot adds stability to the cushion. The original used a pot about 1″ around larger than the cushion and was filled with sand around the cactus. With a young child I could see that quickly getting knocked over. Instead I made the cactus to fit snugly in the pot with just enough room to tuck in a few other necessary sewing supplies.

I handstitched 3 pieces of felt to make the cactus, one longer than the others to curve under and make the bottom. Then stuffed it in the pot. To weigh it even more you could glue a magnet or washer to the bottom of the cactus and glue that to the inside bottom of the pot. I am going to try this idea with other shapes as well to personalize a cushion for my sewing friends.

My fabulously amazing husband and his parents got me an iPod this year for Christmas. However, what’s a fantastic piece of equipment like that without an equally fantastic cozy to keep it in? So I fashioned a felt (are you surprised?) iPod cozy that only cost about $.60 to make, and only took two hours from start to finish.

First, you’ll measure out how much felt you’ll need. Then you’ll cut a front and a back piece, making sure the back piece is longer than the front (so it will fold over and close).

Next, you’ll decide on whatever shape you want (a flower, an animal, or just shapes of any kind) and pick your embroidery floss.

Cut out your shape, and adhere it to the felt with a needle (to keep it in place while stitching) and then using the backstitch you’ll sew it to the felt. You could also use a blanket stitch if you like as well. You can place your shape anywhere you like, but make sure you don’t place it too close to the edge – you’ll need to allow some room there for the seam.

Next, add any other imbelishments you like, (buttons, more embroidery or other shapes) and then attach the snaps to the tops of the two pieces, making sure they line up correctly so it will close correctly.

To finish up the cozy, stich together the front and back pieces (using either a blanket stitch or a running stitch), and voila, a fabulous and functional iPod cozy.

I finished up with a few other accents and voila – cute (and boyish) felt applique shirts. Each one cost approx $4 and about an hour to make from start to finish.

You can make any animal you choose, I just chose a penguin since I’m really into birds right now, and I wanted his to be cute but also boyish. So first you’ll want to pick an animal, draw it out and then get it blow up using a copy machine, to however big you want it. Cut out the shapes and trace them onto cardboard, then cut those shapes out. When you’re cutting feet, arms, or anything that’s to go on the edge of the animal, you’ll want to add a little extra, maybe a quarter to a half-inch, to the place where you’ll adhere the piece to the edge.

Place your shapes on the pieces of felt you’ve chosen and secure them with a needle or pin. Cut around the shapes. Since you’ll need a front and a back, and you have sharp enough scissors, you may want to double up the felt to cut the pieces so the pieces match up perfectly.

Next you’ll want to stitch your top pieces onto the body of the animal. Place pieces in desire places and secure with a pin or needle. Here I put the belly on first, then the beak. I also added a little polyfil to the belly and beak to give the pieces a little more dimension. I used a blanket stitch for all the pieces but you can use any stitch you’re comfortable with. I then stitched the eyes on using a seed stitch.

Next you’ll want to stitch together the feet, adding a little polyfill to them before closing. Stitch the feet onto the piece that will be the backside of your stuffed animal.

After all your pieces are placed, then you can stitch the front and back side together, stopping when you’re almost done to add the polyfil. Add as much fill as you want. You don’t want to overstuff your animal, but you also don’t want it really flat either. If your animals has tight corners, use the end of a pencil or pen to push the fill into them. Place a pin or needle close to the edge of where you’ll stitch to keep it close together so you’re final stitches will be straight. Finish up the seam and voila! A finished (and adorable) stuffed animal.

From start to finish this project took about 3 hours so it’s something you can do while watching TV or if you have some spare time. And as always, have fun with it. Don’t worry if your animal isn’t perfect or even a little choppy (like mine). I think imperfections add to it’s character and cuteness, and I’m sure who ever you’re making it for won’t mind at all.