I've seen darling pinheads made from clay, but I don't know how to manipulate clay. I do, however, know a thing or two about fabric and paper!
This project is easy but a bit messy. If you're not afraid of messy - join me!
2" corsage pin(s)
wire cutters
fabric or paper* scraps
needle and thread
mod podge
paint brush
foil or wax paper
*I got my paper images from a quilting magazine. You could use scrapbook paper or wrapping paper as well.
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Cut off the factory heads of the pins (does that sound gruesome?) with the wire cutters.
NOTE: You may want to tape the head to your surface so when you snip it off, it won't shoot off somewhere where you can't find it - or poke your eye out!
Trim your fabric or paper front and back pieces so they are the same size. I kept mine around 1/2" to 3/4".
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For the fabric pin head:
Use a simple stitch to sew front and back piece together.
Insert the pin between the front and back pieces. Position the top of the pin in the center of the square.
Brush on a generous amount of Mod Podge to one side. Straighten the pin if it gets skewed.
When front is dry, apply a coat to the other side.
Repeat application at least 4 times. Make sure each layer thoroughly dries before adding more.
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If you'd like to add a button:
Sew the button to one of the fabric pieces before you sew the front and back together.
As you apply Mod Podge to the side that has the button, be careful not to get too much on the button. You can scrape it off if it's inevitable.
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For paper pin heads:
Apply Mod Podge to the backside of one of the paper pieces.
Position pin in the center.
Now apply the podge to backside of the second piece of paper and line it up with the other.
Press firmly into place.
Make sure your pin is straight.
When front is dry, apply a coat to the other side.
Repeat application at least 4 times. Make sure each layer thoroughly dries before adding more.
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I suggest you make a few pins at a time to make better use of the mess you are going to make!
If your pin gets messy while applying the Mod Podge, wait till you're completely done to remove. When it's dry it easily peels off the metal.
So, I'd love to see the pinheads you create! Send me a link!
All pincushions in my photos are Tuffets, a Schnibbles pattern.
Posts
Sherri's Christmas Cottage arrived safely! She even snuck in a charming Christmas Pot Holder!
Don't you just love the colors?? Perfect Sherri, THANKS!!
Of course I'll use the pot holder as a decoration in my studio as I am allergic to cooking!! ;)
This little, darling, soft, owlie is from Nikki at Whimsy Love . I won it in one of her giveaways! She has plenty more in her Esty shop!
I have a lodge pole pine (fake) behind me when I am sewing and I put all the homemade ornaments I acquire through the years on that tree for a permanent display of my love for all things homemade!
I have become friends with a neat gal who does all the artsy stuff that I'm afraid to do. I live vicariously though Tessa and her blog: How to Make Art!!
She has a whimsical vibe she puts into her art that I love! Tessa is also 'walking' me (and everyone else who reads her blog) through the steps of creating 'art' type art.
I snapped up a couple of prints from her Esty shop for my husband to give to me for Christmas and Tessa let me pick a print as a gift from her!
In Tessa's Esty shop I also found a wonderful companion to some gifts I'm going to be giving this year to my friends who sew. I'm not going to show the present now, because some of my readers will be receiving the little gift for Christmas and I don't want to ruin the surprise!
Thanks to Sherri, Nikki, and Tessa for making my day brighter!!
I don't prewash my fabrics before sewing. 
Sew three blocks together for the top row. 
Now sew your inner border strips onto the top and bottom of the placemat center. 
Press. 
On the back, pull the top thread through to the back and tie in a knot and hide them by inserting the thread in between the layers coming back up about an inch or so. 
