Thursday, March 4, 2010

Strawberry Mice Pincushion

**This tutorial is intended for personal use only.**

Thank you for your response to my strawberry mice. I was uncertain whether these mice would be of interest simply because they are quite tiny and a bit fiddly to make. This is just a quick little tutorial showing you the basics. If you dislike working in miniature, please feel free to make these larger. They're a fun project either way.

Let me just say that although you can hand stitch the components together (and drive yourself crazy), gluing is so much easier when working with tiny pieces like the ears. I have used a combination of stitching and gluing. My fabric glue of choice is Fabri-Tac.


To create the body of the mice, start with a 4" circle. Cut the circle in half at the center point. Each half will make one mouse.
Fold the half-circle in half, right sides together. Using a 1/4" seam, sew along the straight edge. Turn right side out.


With needle and thread, take a running stitch along the raw edge. Stuff with your favorite pincushion stuffing. If you will be using the mice as needle sharpeners, you may wish to fill them with emery. Gather tightly, knot securely, and clip thread.


To make the ears, start off with a 3/8" square of felt. Round off all 4 corners. Cut the circle in half.


To create the leaves at the base of the strawberry, start with a 1-1/2" circle. Cut 6 slits 1/2" in length evenly spaced around the circle. Trim the tip of each segment to create the pointy edge of a leaf. Make a small hole in the center and feed rattail cord through the hole. Tie a knot on one end of the rattail.


To create the tail leaves, start with a 5/8" square of felt. Round off both bottom corners and cut the other end into a point. You are trying to achieve a tear drop shape.


Glue the hull leaves over the gathered end of the strawberry, making sure to hide the knot in the rattail between the strawberry and the leaves.

Place a thin line of glue along the straight edge of each ear and glue it into place at both sides of the mouse's head.


Place a small amount of fabric glue to the rounded end of the tail leaves and press it into place around the rattail. Continue randomly adding leaves.


With a beading needle and seed beads, add the eyes and a nose. If you wish, add beads to the body for a little bit of mousie bling.


To create the whiskers, thread 6 strands of embroidery floss onto a needle. Tie a knot approximately 1/2" in from the end of the thread. Sew completely through the snout to the opposite side. Secure the whiskers onto the mouse with another knot. Clip thread to approximately 1/2". Trim each side of the whiskers to the desired length. Separate the individual threads to form the whiskers.


I am sure that most of you already know how to make a round, tufted pincushion. If you do not, I recommend this tutorial to create the body of the pincushion. It is a wonderful tutorial with clear and easy to follow instructions.
I used 8" circles for the body of my pincushion as I prefer a fairly large cushion to accommodate a larger amount of pins.
Follow the tutorial to it's completion, omitting the button on top as this will be covered by the "strawberry bush."


To create the "strawberry bush" that protrudes from the center of the pincushion, cut a 12" x 2" rectangle of green felt. Cut 11 slits, approximately 1" apart, stopping about 3/8" from the bottom edge. Trim the tip of each segment to create the pointy edge of a leaf.


With needle and thread, take a running stitch along the straight edge. Gather and tie a knot to secure.


Roll the straight edge, stitching in place as you go.


To assemble, glue the ends of the tails into the center of the pincushion. Glue the "strawberry bush" on top to hide the mechanics.


Have fun with this tutorial. I hope to see colonies of strawberry mice pop up throughout Blogland.

Have a wonderful and creative day!

Aloha!

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

You amaze me with the so very creative ideas you come up with. Always browsing...haven't made anything yet, but hope to start those folded hexies soon. Love those.

Blessings,
Jilly

Erzebat said...

cute cute cute cute cute! thank you for doing this tutorial! I enjoy reading and learning new stuff from Poka Dot Pinapple! keep up the good work! (mauh) Liz

Beedeebabee said...

Hi Lettie! I'm so enjoying your blog, and I love these little mice. My sister's nickname is "Mouse" so I think I'm going to have to make some for her! Thanks so much for the great tutorial. Believe it or not I'm also a "Lettie"! xo Paulette ;)

zigzago said...

Hi, I love this, it's a great tutorial, thank you for you generosity! If it's ok for you I would like to link this. Have a nice weekend, hugs, Renata.

ZlataR said...

Oh, what lovely mouse! Very, very pleased me! Can not stop admiring your imagination, excellent!

Suze said...

Another great tutorial. Thanks for sharing. : )

sweetiepie said...

Lettie, your creativity never ceases to amaze me. Thank you for being so generous and sharing your wonderful ideas with the world.

Take care.

CJ said...

I LOVE these!!! Thanks for sharing your amazing talents with us:)

Jean said...

This is the cutest thing! I love the strawberry mice, but not sure I have the patience!

MOMENTS Designs said...

Lettie, the mice are super darn cute!! The whole pincuchion is super darn cute!! I definately have to make one!
Thanks for all your wonderul ideas!
A fan,Liz

aida said...

soooo cute :)

Frummie said...

Lettie, I so admire your talent and generosity. Thank you for this tutorial.
Frummie

Mannick...91 said...

Oh, here, here, I missed the tutorial that you've put so nicely. Lettie A big thank you for your generosity, I'll print it immediately.
Good day and we still do nice things.
Oh, là, là, j'avais râté le tutoriel que vous nous aviez mis si gentiment. Un grand merci Lettie pour votre générosité, je vais l'imprimer tout de suite.
Bonne journée et faites nous encore de jolies choses.
Annick (French)

Mary Ann said...

Oh, what adorable little mice!!!
You've made such a lovely pincushion...thanks for sharing your tutorial!

flavia said...

carino!!! quando è grande di diametro il tessuto per il pinchusion da tagliare???

Luz said...

Hola!!!!
Gracias a tu Tutorial he podido realizar un hermoso acerico, tengo que perfeccionar la ratita, te quedan mejor a ti jajajajaja.
Pero me encanta el resultado.
Te invito a que pases por mi blog y me des tu opinión.
Muchisimas gracias y mil besitos.

Anonymous said...

Lettie,

Do you happen to have a tutorial tucked somewhere how to make the pincushion itself?

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

Oh my goodness, These are so precious. What a darling idea, I love them. I made the other day a whole bunch of strawberries from a tutorial I saw on another blog, I never would have thought to make them look like mice.

Thank You for your tutorial.

Arlette said...

Edited to remove email address:

Dee said...
Hi! I have just become a follower of your blog...and if it were possible, I would follow it twice, I love it that much!!!

I have a question for you. Each of your tutes state "for personal use only" and so I wanted to be sure I respect your wishes. My daughter is having a garden wedding in October...would it be okay if I used some of your flower tutes to make centerpieces for the wedding? This would be more of a public use.
Please let me know if I may use them.
Dee

TUE JUN 22, 07:04:00 AM 2010

Carla said...

I think this is as sweet as can be! Thank you so much. Wish I could print it. Computer is at other side of house and every time I run over to look at a photo I forget by the time I get back to the sewing room.

countrydoings said...

I love your site. I visit often to see what new and creative things you are making. I also want to thank you for sharing the "how to's" on some of the crafts.

Diane

EditorK said...

Hi Arlette,

I've added a link to this project on AllFreeSewing.com. I think it's a great project our readers will love to make. Here's the link:
http://www.allfreesewing.com/Miscellaneous-Projects/Strawberry-Mice-Pincushion

If you have any questions or would like to see more of your projects on the site, please feel free to contact me.

Thanks!

Kirsten
Editor
AllFreeSewing.com

Kellianne said...

This is by far the cutest thing I have ever seen!!!

tinkeranniebelle.blogspot.com

Margee' said...

I so want to make this, do you have a printable pattern and instructions? Want to make it for my Mom for Mother's Day.
Can't find contact info for you.

blg2240 said...

This, the Strawberry Mice Pincushion, is the third tute of yours that I've printed out. Thank you so much for sharing your talent with all of us. You do a fantastic job of giving nice clear instructions. Whenever I see Polka Dot Pineapple I know I'm in for a treat. Thank you!!!

dollymorgan said...

CAN I SHARE YOUR PINCUSHION OF STRAWBERRYS MICE PINCUSHION

The LadyBugs Garden said...

I just found you! I love your blog you have some of the most pretties thing I have seen in a while.
I will make several of these for my Craft sewing quilting room..
Stephanie

DebinSC said...

Thank you so much for all thwe wonderful projects you are so talented and generous!

Anonymous said...

Ok ... Ms. Dense here!!

You show cutting brownish fabric -- for what part is that fabric?

I see pink mice, not brown.

Can you move next door to me? I'm in the San Diego area, just a tad over to the east of you.