This felt cactus pincushion by Carolyn Letten is sure to be a great addition to your sewing space. Make sure it’s stuffed full of silver pins for an authentic look! Why not pair with fabric planters for a great way to add pattern, colour and texture with minimum spend? Make a single stand out one or group them on a shelf for a more cohesive look.
Sew a cactus pincushion
1 Download and print the cactus templates. Use to cut six small leaves from felt; three bright green, three mid green. Pin one of each shade in pairs. Machine or hand stitch using a darker contrast thread all around the curved edge, leaving the straight side open.
2 With the bright green sides facing up, lay all three stitched leaves on top of each other and sew through them all, from the top of the curve to the middle of the straight edge, creating six segments. Stuff each firmly and hand stitch around the bottom. Pull tightly and fasten off.
3 Using a dark thread, knot a few stitches at random to suggest prickly spines. Stitch a small felt flower to the top with a bright pink centre secured with a yellow cross stitch. Set aside. Use the larger template to cut six leaves from darker green felt, pin them together as before in pairs and stitch in the same way around the curved edges, leaving the straight ones open.
4 Pin all three pairs together as before, then stitch, stuff and fasten off. Cut out tiny flowers from pink felt with yellow centres and stitch, as s