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Watch the video: DIY Embroidered Pin Cushion Tutorial by Nataly Embroidery
If your sewing space needs a tiny upgrade, this felt pin cushion delivers big charm. We’ll follow Nataly Embroidery’s beginner-friendly approach: sketch a simple floral design, stitch it with satin stitch and French knots, then assemble and stuff it—using leftover thread ends so nothing goes to waste.
What you’ll learn
- How to draw a floral motif and mark clean borders on felt
- How to thread with a loop start and stitch satin stitch and French knots
- How to cut, sew, stuff, and neatly finish a felt pin cushion
- Practical checks to avoid fabric puckering and uneven borders
Gather Your Materials and Tools
What you'll need for your pin cushion A small, satisfying project starts with simple tools and leftovers you likely have on hand. In the video, felt fabric is the base, paired with colorful embroidery thread. You’ll also need scissors, an embroidery needle (the creator mentions DMC needles size 8), and a white gel pen for marking. A small embroidery hoop keeps your felt snug while you stitch.
Pro tip: Collect your thread ends in a jar as you work on other projects. As shown in the tutorial, those snippets make perfect stuffing for this pin cushion—eco-friendly and satisfyingly firm.
Choosing your felt fabric The creator uses a piece of black felt, which beautifully contrasts with bright floral stitching. Felt holds stitches well and doesn’t fray, making it beginner-friendly. Cut two pieces: one to embroider and one for the back. The hoop used is small—just right for a palm-sized cushion that stays portable and quick to complete.
Watch out: If the felt isn’t tight in the hoop, your stitches may pucker or sit unevenly. Re-tighten the hoop before you begin stitching.
Preparing Your Fabric and Design
Cutting and hooping your felt Cut your felt into two pieces. Mount the larger piece securely into a small hoop, smoothing out any slack before you tighten. This stable surface will help your satin stitch line up cleanly and your French knots sit upright. Quick check: Tap the felt—if it rebounds like a drum, you’re ready.
Drawing your beautiful floral pattern Using a white gel pen, sketch a simple floral motif directly on the felt in the hoop. The creator draws small flowers and clearly marks two borders: one inner line to guide where stitching will live and one outer line to show where to cut later. This two-line method preserves the design space and prevents you from cutting too close to the embroidery when you finish.
From the comments: Viewers loved how clear and cute the design is—several praised the tutorial’s approachable pacing and friendly detail. One commenter found it “adorable” and said they couldn’t wait to try it.
Keep adding blooms and leaves with the gel pen until the area feels balanced. The goal is gentle flow rather than perfect symmetry—your stitches will add the real polish.
Mastering the Stitches: Satin Stitch and French Knots
Setting up your thread with a loop start The creator threads a single strand of floss folded in half so the ends meet and a loop forms at the other end. Thread those two cut ends through the needle’s eye; you’ll anchor the first stitch by passing the needle through the loop at the back. This loop start keeps the back clean and avoids bulky knots. If threading is tricky, a needle threader is suggested, especially when you’re working with multiple strands.
Watch out: As you make that first stitch, don’t pull through completely before securing the loop. Pause to catch the loop with your needle to lock it in place. This saves you time later because you won’t have to chase loose tails.
Embroidering vibrant flowers with satin stitch Satin stitch is the heart of the flower petals here. Bring the needle up at the edge of a petal, then go down on the opposite edge across the shape. Come back up adjacent to your starting side and go down again across from it. Keep the stitches parallel and packed closely enough to fill the shape smoothly. The more you repeat this rhythm, the more the thread creates a satiny finish with no visible gaps.
Quick check: The back should mirror the front’s pathing. If you see wandering lines or long jumps, return to side-to-side stitching to keep everything tidy and evenly tensioned.
Tension matters. The creator specifically notes not to pull too tight—felt can pucker if you do. If you see waves forming, loosen up slightly and support the felt with your fingertips as you set each stitch.
Securing thread and switching colors When your thread runs short, finish neatly on the back. The creator anchors the end with a tiny back stitch under existing stitches, passes the needle under a few threads to secure, and then trims—not leaving a visible knot on the front. Repeat the loop start with new colors to add more flowers and keep the palette lively.
From the comments: A viewer asked whether the flower centers were made with 6 strands and if a knot was used. The creator replied she used 2 strands throughout this project and knotted on the back for those stitches. If you’re experimenting, test a few strand counts on a scrap to see which fullness you prefer.
Adding delicate French knots for details To dot each flower with texture, add French knots. Bring your needle up where you want the knot. Wrap the thread around the needle two or three times (as demonstrated), then insert the needle back into the fabric very close to the exit point—almost in the same hole, but not exactly. With your non-dominant hand, keep gentle tension on the working thread as you pull the needle through the wraps to seat a neat little knot.
Pro tip: Consistency comes from steady tension and needle placement just beside the original hole. If a knot vanishes through the fabric, you probably re-entered the exact hole—move a thread’s width to the side and try again.
Assembling Your Pin Cushion
Cutting out your embroidered piece and backing Once you’re happy with the stitching, remove the felt from the hoop and cut along the inner border to create a clean rectangle (or square). Use that piece as your template to mark and cut a second piece of felt for the back so they match perfectly. Alignment now prevents wonky edges later.
If you love a softer silhouette, round the corners the way the creator does in the video. Keep the curves gentle and even.
Sewing the edges neatly Choose a border color that complements your flowers. The creator sews with two strands and begins from a loop, then uses a simple edge stitch (described as similar to satin stitch) to create a close, solid border. Alternatively, she notes you can use a buttonhole-style edge if you prefer that look. What matters most is consistency: keep spacing even and the working thread on the left of the needle for smooth, repeatable motion.
Watch out: Don’t sew all the way shut—leave a small opening on one side so you can add stuffing. Mark the opening before you start, so you don’t accidentally close the loop.
Stuffing your pin cushion with thread ends Here’s the clever part: instead of traditional stuffing, the creator uses the thread ends she’s been saving. These snippets create a pleasantly firm cushion and keep waste out of the bin. Pack the filling until it’s firm but not stretched—your stitches should not distort. Then close the remaining opening using the same stitch and secure your thread end by tucking it under previous stitches on the back—no bulky knots needed.
Quick check: The cushion should feel evenly filled without lumps. Sight down the edge to ensure the seam reads as one continuous border.
Tips for Perfect Pin Cushions
Ensuring even stitches and avoiding puckering
- Keep felt taut in the hoop, and re-tighten as needed.
- For satin stitch, align your up-and-down points directly across the petal to avoid diagonal drift.
- If puckering appears, reduce tension and support the felt with your fingers while pulling through.
- Secure thread ends under existing stitches on the back to avoid bumps on the front.
Creative ways to customize your designs
- Try different thread color combinations to shift the mood—pastels feel airy, brights read bold on black felt.
- Play with corner shapes: rounded corners feel soft; squared corners look crisp.
- Vary knot counts (two wraps vs. three) to subtly change the look of flower centers.
From the comments: Several viewers applauded the tutorial’s clarity and shared their excitement about trying the project. One fan mentioned enjoying the creator’s kits. Another asked about the clamp/stand used to hold the hoop; the creator replied it’s a customized hoop stand and said similar stands are available on Etsy.
Showcase Your Creations and Connect
Displaying your finished pin cushions A finished pin cushion is both functional and giftable. Keep yours by the machine or in a travel kit, or stitch a few at once with different colorways—these little squares make a cheerful lineup on a shelf. If you work in batches, draw all your borders and flowers first, then embroider color by color for efficiency.
Support the creator and explore more designs The creator thanks supporters and notes there’s a free PDF pattern with different pin cushion designs linked from the video’s description. Explore her shop and Patreon for more patterns, behind-the-scenes process views, and Q&A. If you share your pin cushion on social, be sure to tag the creator so your work can be seen and celebrated.
Optional machine-embroidery side notes If you ever translate your floral idea to machine embroidery, the hooping accessories landscape is wide. For example, some stitchers like the grip and convenience of a magnetic embroidery hoop when securing layers. Others explore embroidery magnetic hoops or heavier-duty magnetic embroidery frames for stability. If you’re experimenting with add-ons, you might hear about a mighty hoop or even a snap hoop monster for certain machines. There are also general-purpose machine embroidery hoops in different sizes, and if you’re just getting started with equipment, researching an embroidery machine for beginners can help you plan the next steps for your crafting journey.
Troubleshooting quickies
- My satin stitch looks streaky: Add a few more parallel stitches to fill gaps, and check that each entry/exit is directly across the shape.
- My knots pull through: Insert the needle a thread’s width from the exit hole and keep gentle tension as you pull through the wraps.
- My border is uneven: Slow down and watch your spacing. If needed, lightly mark dot guides along the edge with a gel pen before stitching.
- My corners look bulky: Round them slightly, or reduce stitch density at the corners to prevent buildup.
Your next steps
- Save every colorful thread tail in a jar—your next pin cushion practically stuffs itself.
- Try a new palette next time (cool hues vs. warm brights) to see how the flowers pop on black felt.
- Batch-cut backing pieces using your first embroidered rectangle as a template for consistent results.
Credits and context This guide follows the process shown by Nataly Embroidery: felt base; white gel pen sketch; loop start threading; satin stitch petals; French knot centers; neat thread finishing; precise cutting; rounded corners; edge stitching with two strands; stuffing with thread ends; and a clean, knot-free close.