Yes, there is!

I’ve already revealed this cute little pincushion here on Monday’s post. I made this stocking as one of the projects on my 12 Days of Christmas in July blog post and filled it with lots of goodies that make good stocking stuffers for sewists and quilters. If you missed the stocking tutorial, you can find it here.

The Pincushion Pail is 2.25″ tall and 2″ wide at the top.

7.5″ wide and 9″ long, not including the loop.

It’s time to see what else is hiding in this stocking.

I made the berry shape using this simple tutorial from A Quilter’s Mission found here. She just cuts a circle out of fabric and cuts the circle in half. I used a 5″ circle because I didn’t want a huge strawberry. This size makes a 1.5″ long berry, not counting the leaves. I think this shape makes a nicer, rounder berry.

However, I used the free pattern for the leaves found here at The Sewing Loft. You can download and print the free pattern by clicking on the download button located at the end of her blog post.

Since I’ve already given you two links to tutorials for these strawberries, I won’t go into much detail here. But I do want to include a few construction tips if you decide you want to make a batch of these juicy, yummy strawberry pincushions for yourself or those on your list.

1. I used quilting cotton for the berry and felt for the leaves.
2. I suggest making more than one pincushion since you’ll have gathered all the supplies anyway. This way you’ll have some to keep and some to give away. Besides, if you are using the circle like I did, you’ll have an extra half circle anyway so you might as well make two.
   

   This berry patch is just getting started. I’ve sewn the only seam required by a sewing machine.

3. Sew the running or gathering stitch with heavy duty thread, such as hand quilting or upholstery thread, on the RIGHT side of the fabric. This allows you to gather it nicely and tie it tightly when done.
   

   I used two strands of hand quilting thread to run a gathering stitch about 1/4″ from the edge. I tied a secure knot at the beginning only. Leave an 8″ tail at the beginning. If you are careful you don’t even have to remove the needle during the pulling stage.

4. Make yourself a Crushed Walnut Shell Dispensing Bottle. See this post for instructions on how I turned a mustard bottle into this handy tool.
   

   This bottle really works well when filling tight spaces.

5. Once you think you have enough crushed walnut shells in your strawberry, use your finger to push them into place. You can even shake or pound your strawberry on the table to help them settle and make room for more. Stuff it well.
   

   You want your berry full and firm. But if you overfill it, you won’t be able to close it at the top.

6. Then top with some poly fiber fil.
   

   The fiber fil or stuffing helps give a nice shape to the top, helps you sew the opening shut, and helps keep the crushed walnut shells inside.

7. Once your strawberry is full but not overly full, pull on the gathering threads to bring the opening together and tie a knot. Thread these thread ends through a needle (if you removed the needle already) and tightly sew the opening shut.
   

   Do the best you can to close it up tight.

8. Attach the three separate leaves, from The Sewing Loft pattern template, first. Then I fold and bunch the joined leaf shape and stitch it on top. I used two of these per berry.
9. I just happened to find this white plastic ring in my craft supplies. I parted some of the leaves in the center and sewed it on the top. Because every strawberry pincushion that I’ve ever seen has had a ring.

And there you have a sweet little strawberry pincushion.

The 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop continues:

Friday, July 21st, 2017

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas—Day Eight

Confessions of a Fabric Addict Sarah’s giving us the next set of instructions which includes more of the same of yesterdays. You should be seeing your quilt starting to take shape now. Unless you’re a tad behind, like me, but don’t fear, I bet we’ll be doing the same assignment for the next few days. She’s also sharing a couple of ideas on how to start your holiday morning right with a cute breakfast idea the kids, of any age will love as well as sharing some snacks and treats.

 Katie Mae Quilts If you think your quilt borders are getting rather boring, you might like to check out Kate’s technique for a jazzy new idea and great instructions on how you can make it too.

Quilted Blooms Hands down! Paige has designed one clever pillow cover that will get the whole family involved. If you agree that Christmas is a great time for creating new memories or traditions, this idea won’t disappoint.

QuiltFabrication Susan’s designed a fantastic coaster idea; they can’t get any prettier or more festive than that. Using her easy tutorial, which includes lots of pictures, you’ll be making lots of these to tuck in Christmas stockings this year. The people on your Christmas list will be thanking you for sure.

Remember to leave comments on each of their 12 Days of Christmas in July blog hop posts so you can qualify to win some fabric giveaways of Tula Pink’s new holiday line, Holiday Homies, generously donated by Free Spirit Fabrics!!! You have through July 26th to leave comments.

Coming soon on Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats:

• Sunday, July 23rd, 2017 — Tu-Na Quilts: The Third Stocking Stuffer Reveal—How Much Can It Hold?
• Tuesday, July 25th, 2017 — Tu-Na Quilts: The Fourth and Final Stocking Stuffers Reveal—Does The Fun Have to End?

What I Learned Today:

1. I’m hungry for some strawberries!
2. I can clean a bathroom in 10 minutes. Company’s coming. They are willing to take the risk.
3. The apricot tree has apricots that are needing picking.
4. I must be a very giving person. My husband now has a cold.

Question: How fancy do you wrap? Do you wrap your gifts with Christmas paper or put them in bags? I stocked up on Christmas gift wrap years ago and am still using up that supply. It was quite a good after Christmas sale so it will be a few more years until it’s all gone. Some years, if I can’t find the gift tag, I just write the name on the package or a piece of the gift wrap. No fussing happening around here.

Linking to:

• Tips and Tutorials Tuesday at Quilting Jetgirl
• Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter
• TGIFF
• Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilt
• Show Off Saturday at Sew Can She