Wednesday, July 13, 2016

the pincushion challenge continues

It's July 13 already and I've managed to keep up with my one-a-day pincushion challenge. Frankly, I'm surprised that I have managed to stick with it this long without missing a day! It's been such a great challenge, creatively.

Day 8...
This is a teeny tiny scrappy trip block made with leftover scraps from my log cabin blocks. Each of the squares finish at about 1"! This is scrap project #155.

Day 9.....
Each of the colored strips in this pincushion finish at 1/4"! The overall finished size is about 2" x 8 3/4". It's perfect for setting right in front of a sewing machine. This one started out as another idea, but it morphed into this, which I love! Did you notice the stitching in the negative space on the ends? They mimic the colored strips....it might be my favorite part! This is scrap project #156.

Day 10....
For this trio it was all about the quilting. I started with super soft double gauze (in a shade dangerously close to purple....hahaha!) then quilted each square heavily. I love the simplicity! These are scrap project #157.

Day 11....
Inspired by pick up sticks. I started this one day, almost threw it away...then finished it up a day or two later. It's not perfect, by any means, but it's acceptable and at least I gave the idea a chance. :) It's scrap project #158.

Day 12....
This was an orphan block (pattern can be found here) that I turned into a pincushion. The coffee cup fabric is a chevron print (from Dear Stella fabrics) that I used as a guide for the cross hatch quilting. I wasn't sure if it would work or not, but it seemed to do the trick! This one is a little larger (just under 5" x 5 1/2"), so I stuffed it with poly fiberfill. It's scrap project #159.

Day 13....
This is a scrap vortex in solids. I added the borders so I wouldn't lose any of the scraps on the outer edges, as they are SO tiny. This pincushion is just over 4" square. It's scrap project #160!

Thank you for following along with my crazy pincushion antics and for encouraging me along the way. I appreciate it very much!

I'd be curious to hear which one of these is your favorite!

66 comments:

abelian said...

It's hard to choose! I like the shape of Day #9, and I like the quilting on Day #11. I'm enjoying what you do EVERY day.

BKringel said...

Love the shape of the long skinny one. Also, the quilting on the set of purples. Really, they are all adorable but those are my favs from today's post.

Jocelyn said...

Day 9 and Day 12 are my favorites so far. I've been following on IG. It's so fun to see what you come up with.

Annemieke said...

The double gauze ate simple and beautiful, the last one is a fun pincushion with the solids but I think the long skinny pincushion is my favourite. Great idea to make it in this shape!
Groetjes
Annemieke

auntiemichal said...

They are ALL super, but my favorites are Days 9 and 13. I'll have to try the long skinny shape for myself!

Looks as if Day 9 is the front runner!

Chris said...

My favorite is Day 9. It's rare to see a pincushion that shape. But they're all lovely!

Salmagundi said...

I love this challenge of yours --- such wonderful results. I like the pick-up stick one as it reminds me of childhood fun. When I was growing up in the 1940s, we didn't have a lot of toys except baby dolls; but I did have some pick-up sticks!!! Sally

The Joyful Quilter said...

Day 11's Pick Up Sticks is my favorite, followed closely by the Scrap Vortex pin cushion. You are having TOO much fun!! LOL

Material Girl said...

My favorite is the long skiing one. I like that it is clever though simple. Very appealing.......

Frieda said...

They are all great but I think day#13 is my favorite. I love all the pretty colors.

Di~ said...

So fun! I LOVE scrap vortex and I LOVE the trip one and I LOVE the skinny one! :)

Susan said...

Impossible to pick a favourite- they are all wonderful!

Patty said...

My favorite is Day 9; the slender rectangle. It's just so cute and I want to make one for me!!

mangozz said...

I love all of your pincushions, but my favorite today is the long skinny one with the stripes, followed by the Scrap Vortex one. The pick up sticks was a cute idea too. Are you going to be able to stop when the month is up? Congrats for making it this far and coming up with such novel ideas.

Schulz Family said...

Wow I love project 156 and 158. What a cool funky set of pin cushions

Brandywine said...

Day 9. The stripes compliment the shape.

farmhousequilter8 said...

I like the vortex and the scrappy trip the best. Also, please tell me how did the name of the Scrappy Vortex Quilt come about? I have made two and absolutely love them. Will also make this pincushion. I just love your blog.
Paula in KY

tink's mom said...

I'm caught between the long skinny one and the pick up sticks. Runner up would be the deep purple with the wonderful quilting.

Granny Maud's Girl said...

I love them all, but the mini scrap vortex one has me wanting to dash to my scrap box to make something similar.

mary said...

Love them all but the long skinny one is my favorite! So much inspiration! Thank you!

DeniseClaire said...

The long skinny one and the pick up sticks are my faves. The solid colors really pop next to the gray.

Kay said...

I really like the long, thin pincushion. It looks like it would be useful to have down the side of the machine. The scrappy one at then end is also fun. x

sonja said...

The pincushion from day 9 is wonderful. Unusual shape and nice color blocking.

P11otter said...

Love love love your pincushions! There beautiful!!

nalaha3 said...

There is something about each one that I like, I couldn't pick only one as a clear winner! The little face peeking around the corner in day 8, the uniqueness of day 9, day 10 reminds me of sashiko... I am enjoying your creativity so much. Thanks for sharing.

terrieannie said...

I like #8, because of the colors and their placement. I made a skinny one similar to #9 several years ago, and it really is the handiest one I own because it tucks right up against the front of my machine quite tidily. However, I'll admit your vertical stripes of bright color and then the quilting make yours a tiny piece of art, too!

Lodi said...

I love 11 & 13. 11 seams out of your "normal". How does that make you feel?

Ptcquilter said...

I actually like day 11 best. The pick up sticks are bright and cheery!

Quilt Lady said...

Day 9

birdlooker said...

I love the scrap vortex (day13) best of all. I want to try it even though I can't imagine working with pieces that small!

Quilter said...


Love them all - you do such pretty fun things - thanks for sharing all
the neat idea. Hard to pick just one - but scrap vortex... maybe..
MaryLou

piecefulwendy said...

Days 11 and 13 are my favorites, although honestly, I like all of them! So if you don't like Pick Up Sticks, you can send it to me :-) I'll ooh and aah over it often, perfect or not. I'm thinking I need to do something like this for each day in August. Hmm.

Unknown said...

Love them all, my favorite is Day 9

Diane Beavers said...

Pick up Sticks and the Coffee Mug (Which I'm creating right now from the pattern I purchased from you)
I think you should make a "Scrappy" Washi Dress haha.


bluestarof2(at)yahoo(dot)com

Needled Mom said...

Those are such fun. I think I like the long skinny one best too.

Denise - Jewelry By Denise said...

I love them all! I hate sewing seams closed by hand though so I'm not finding the motivation to make any. I love seeing your creativeness shine through! They are all so awesome!!!

Susan said...

I love the day 13 pincushion. It is adorable!

Little Quiltsong said...

I love your pin cushions. Just the other day, I thought - I need one of Amanda Jean's mini pincushions! They are impressive!!

Unknown said...

The long skinny one! Love it!

michelle said...

They are all fun and I love your ability to get one done each day!! I have to say day #13 is my favourite- which is interesting because I am not usually drawn to solid fabrics. I also love the shape of the long skinny one on day #9 and I might actually copy that shape and do one of my own. Have fun and I look forward to each new post.

Unknown said...

I also love the long skinny one and the pick-up sticks! Love the colors with the gray background. So lovely.

Jennifer said...

The pick up sticks is sooo fun! I love it, but I love them all! (p.s.--would love to know how to make pick up sticks--hint, hint)

Amy said...

I love them all! Each one is unique. Have you considered making one for Hari-Kuyo, the Japanese Festival of Broken Needles? I just learned about it last month. So I made a big pin cushion, and am putting all my used machine needles, and broken pins and needles into it. Then in February, I'll thank them and put them to final rest. It's a cool concept.

Beth said...

They are are beautiful, but I adore the cup!!!!

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

I can honestly say every pin cushion you make is adorable. I think my favorite though is Day 13 the last one in this post. I love the tiny pieces and the random look.

Carol E. said...

I love them all; it's hard to choose a favorite. But for unique shape and cute strips I'll say the long, skinny one from Day 9.

DianeF said...

I love Day 8's colors. Bright and cheerful!

Colleen said...

It's hard to choose a favourite but... out of this group I have settled on day #13, the last pne - scrap vortex in solids. Really nice composition, all the elements of design working well in such a small space

Dolly said...

OF COURSE, my favorite has to be the long skinny one ! (And I haven't read the comments but I bet it's a BIG favorite !)

Unknown said...

Hard to choose! Love the long skinny one and the scrap vortex. Thanks for posting. On my way to my sewing room to make a pin cushion!!

sue said...

The baby scrap vortex!

Alissa said...

I love day 9! Where can I get a pattern for that?!

Melissa Corry said...

I love, love, love them all, but I really love Day 10 with it's focus on quilting goodness ;)

FlashinScissors said...

I love them all, but especially the long, skinny one .... it's small, and I so love tiny stitching! (I soooo do not need another pin cushion .... but I do have lots of very small scraps!)
Barbara xx

Karen said...

Day 11, Pick-up Sticks, is my favorite.

Sue Laufer said...

Amanda, I can't pick a favorite! They are all so darn cute. You inspire me.

JoAnne in southern California said...

You want us to choose ONE? The first one in this post, no the second, maybe the last one? Goodness! I guess I would have to pick the first one but I'm going to make a long skinny one. That one will serve a need for me. Being able to have it right up against the machine so it won't dance around when I'm sticking pins in it is ideal. You've really got something there, thank you, Amanda Jean!

Sheila said...

What a hard decision as to which pincushion I like the best!!!
Well, from today's offering's I really love the pick-up-sticks, and the clever coffee cup, and the very first one, not to say I don't like the others, I do!!!
I am enjoying your pincushion a day so much!! :)

Mary Marcotte said...

Day 9, but may it was a difficult decision! I think it's the unusual shape but those colors are pretty sweet. I know it's been said, but you really are an inspiration! Thank you!

stamperwithdayjob said...

I love them all but my fave is the long skinny one.

Debbie said...

Very fun! My fave is the scrap vortex!

Unknown said...

I love every one of them!

Pieced Brain Quilt Designs said...

Amanda, these are adorable!!! They make great gifts for quilt retreats! derussell22 at gmail dot com.

Julie Bagamary said...

These are great!

Unknown said...

I know this will probably never happen (because of permissions and copyrights and such-like), but I would love to see this entire pincushion journey all together as one .pdf with click-able links so that we could easily find all the patterns. Like you, I am OBSESSED with pincushions! I'm following along and loving this series! Donna C.

Sandy Panagos said...

I would never be able to pick out a favorite. All your pin cushions are great!