I've finished my second mattress-style pincushion and am very pleased with it. I made a few changes to how I do the finishing thanks to the very helpful suggestions I received and think this turned out much nicer than my first attempt. I used an iron on interfacing on the front and back and thin quilt batting--several layers worth--for the inside. It has a much smoother look to it and feels much more subtantial.
Rather than using pins on the sides I decided to stitch a few bees on the side and flowers on top and bottom.
Here's a close up of the flower. I kept the sides pretty narrow.
Bee skeps are one of my very favorite motifs!
There is a bee just like this one on the back of the design. I also stitched my initials and the year over one thread on the lower left and right corners.
I started this several years ago and now I wonder why it ever took me so long to finish!
This is so stunning and beautiful! Well done!
Posted by: Donna | April 18, 2011 at 01:28 AM
Wonderful finish !
Posted by: Irene | April 18, 2011 at 02:45 AM
This is so pretty. I found your blog through @elizabethspeller on Twitter - now I don't know which to follow - perhaps both!
Posted by: Catherine | April 18, 2011 at 09:57 AM
Beautiful work!
Posted by: Laura | April 18, 2011 at 10:42 AM
Excellent job, really beautiful. Definitely one of your best!
Posted by: Cindy | April 18, 2011 at 10:43 AM
Lovely finish! I think I'll have to try this type of finish one day.
Posted by: Valerie | April 18, 2011 at 10:58 AM
Lovely! This has such an awesome professional look to the finishing. :D
Posted by: beritbunny | April 18, 2011 at 05:49 PM
Very, very cute. Great job!
Posted by: Terri McGinty | April 19, 2011 at 05:32 PM
Very nice!
Posted by: Vanessa Roper | April 20, 2011 at 05:27 AM
It's gorgeous, congratulations
Posted by: Karoline | April 21, 2011 at 02:52 PM
This is such a beautiful finish! Using the quilt batting has made a huge difference.
Posted by: Suzanne | April 21, 2011 at 04:14 PM
Donna--Thanks, I am very pleased with it.
Irene--Thank you!
Catherine--Am happy to have found you via Twitter, too! I'm afraid I don't update this blog as often as I would like as I usually only get in stitching on weekends! Do please drop by whenever you like!
Laura-Thanks!
Cindy--I think it is one of my better finishes as well. I'm so glad other stitchers shared their hints as they certainly worked!
Valerie--It wasn't all that hard really. A little time consuming with all the counting of stitches to make sure everything will match up, but well worth the effort.
Beritbunny--Thanks. I only wish All my finishes looked this good. Some things turn out nicer then others I'm afraid!
Terri--Thanks for the kind words!
Vanessa--Than you!
Karoline--It feels very nice to have something finished to share--thanks!
Suzanne--Yes, I will definitely stick to quilt batting when making these. The fiberfill is fine for other things, but it's too lumpy for this flat sort of finish!
Posted by: Danielle | April 21, 2011 at 09:10 PM
I've never tried a mattress pincushion finish - I'm going to have to give it a go!
Posted by: Susan | April 29, 2011 at 12:18 PM