




When I was making the pincushion, I didn’t plan to make a tutorial out of it because I thought nobody will be interested but I took images, just in case. And to my surprise, I got lots of questions about how to make it. My readers saw the owl pincushion in my very popular YouTube video on sewing a narrow hem and asked to share the pattern. So here is the tutorial.
What you will need for the project
It seems that even if the project is really simple – beginner level – you still need lots of stuff.
2 different scrap pieces of fabric
A pattern
Sewing shears for cutting fabric
Scissors to cut threads
Scissors to cut the paper pattern
Hand sewing needles
A sewing machine (plus a sewing machine needle and a bobbin)
4 buttons
Fabric glue
Piece of carton or plastic (I used plastic from an old file folder)
Some trims
Piece of batting
Did I forget anything? Seems not. In the image, you don’t see EVERYTHING needed but you can see a pincushion I use for my hand sewing needles – isn’t it nice? I didn’t make it though, I bought it.


1. Print and cut out the pattern. By the way, it’s funny how I made the pattern – I just outlined a soleplate of my iron and made it smaller. Then I delegated the task of generating a pdf file to my husband.
2. Cut two pieces from different fabrics for the owl’s body. Stitch using ⅜ in (or 1 cm) seam allowances. Cut seam allowances (leave half a cm) and turn that piece right side out.


Press this piece. But before pressing I decided to baste it so my seams look nice.
Fill the bottom part of the body with batting (or some other filling material) leaving the top without it (for the owl’s face)

Sew two buttons together. It’s not comfortable to sew the buttons to the stuffed owl’s body so I just put them with fabric glue – it holds them perfectly.

Fray both edges of trims – I bought mine in a dollar store. Buy something that can be frayed easily.
Make an owl’s face and stitch by hand the end – it will be the owl’s beak.
Gather fabric at the bottom and make a knot.

Now let’s make a stand
Cut two pieces from plastic or carton (using the pattern).
Cut two pieces from fabric – but this time cut with seam allowances around 2 cm (¾ in)
Place the plastic piece on the fabric and gather the fabric all around edges on both pieces. Glue them wrong sides together.



Glue the owl to the stand with fabric glue.

Perhaps, you will be interested in my other tutorial on making a wrist pincushion.
Did you find this tutorial helpful? If so, save this pin (see below) on your sewing board so you can come to this tutorial later when you want to make an owl pincushion and follow me on Pinterest for more tips, tutorials, and inspiration!

Ready to take the next step in your sewing journey?Check out more step-by-step tutorials from my blog and don’t forget to share!






Love the owl
Thank you, Jackie!
Thank you for this idea.
Thank you for your feedback!