How to make a wrist pincushion

1. Materials & tools

Materials (one pincushion, standard size)

• Fabric (cotton or linen) — about 15 cm × 25 cm
• Polyester stuffing, or wool roving — a small amount
• Hook-and-loop tape, 2 cm wide — 4 cm
• Thread

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Accessories” → “Wrist pincushion” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the cushion diameter, your wrist measurement and the strap width. Presets cover standard, small and child size.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Measure your wrist
   Measure at the narrowest point. The strap is that measurement plus 4 cm of overlap.
2. Trace the pattern
   Trace the cushion circle and the strap. You can trace round a plate or a glass for the circle.
3. Cut the pieces
   Cut 2 cushions and 1 strap.
4. Finish the edges
   Not needed — it is turned right side out.

4. Sewing

4-1. Make the strap

1. Fold the strap in four, press, and topstitch 3 mm from both long edges.
2. Sew the loop half of the hook-and-loop tape to one end on the front, and the hook half to the other end on the back.
3. Try it on your wrist. Too loose and it rotates while you work.

4-2. Sew the cushion

1. Place the two cushion circles right sides together and sew all the way round, leaving a 3 cm opening.
2. Clip the seam allowance every 1 cm around the curve. It is small, so keep the clips shallow — just the tips of the scissors.
3. Turn right side out through the opening.

4-3. Stuff it

1. Tear the stuffing into small pieces and feed them in. A chopstick or the handle of an awl pushes it right in.
2. Pack it firmly. Loosely filled, the pins go all the way through and reach your wrist.
3. The same goes for wool roving. The lanolin in wool helps keep needles from rusting.
4. Close the opening with ladder stitch.

4-4. Attach it to the strap

1. Hand-sew the cushion to the middle of the strap.
2. Stitch right around the base of the cushion. A few tacking stitches will not do — it will swivel every time you push a pin in.
3. Put it on and check that the cushion sits on the back of your hand.

✏️ Pack the stuffing firmly. A soft pincushion lets a pin go in up to the head and press against your wrist. "Does not give when you press it" is the right density. Push a pin in a few times as you fill it and make sure the tip does not come out the other side.

5. Tips & variations

• Wool roving: the lanolin in wool keeps needles from rusting and makes them slide in more easily. Craft shops sell it in small quantities.
• Cushion on the outside: mounted on the inside of the wrist it hits the table every time you rest your hand.
• As a gift: small, takes no space, and anyone who sews will actually use it. Scraps are all you need.