How to Make a Cactus Pincushion

Liven up your sewing station with this DIY cactus-shaped pincushion. It’s an easy project to bring a dash of cuteness to any craft room.

February 02, 2022
Two green felt cactus pin cushions

A Place for Your Pins

Add pins to your cactus pincushion. Feel free to make these in any size or color you like!

Photo by: Karen Kavett

Karen Kavett

Sick of losing your needles while working on your latest sewing project? We've got a fun, cute and crafty solution for you. With the help of HGTV Handmade's Karen Kavett, learn how to make an easy-to-sew, cactus-shaped DIY pincushion.

DIY Cactus Pincushion
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Materials + Tools

  • green, tan and pink felt
  • card stock
  • scissors
  • pencil
  • sewing machine
  • fiberfill
  • green, white and pink embroidery thread
  • embroidery needle
  • pink bead
  • flowerpot
  • styrofoam
  • craft knife
  • low-temp hot glue gun
  • sewing pins

Cut Out Your Template

Cut a template out of card stock in the shape of a rectangle with a rounded top. You can fold the card stock in half before cutting to ensure the curve is symmetrical. Be sure that when unfolded, the template fits inside your flowerpot.

template for cactus-shaped DIY pincushion

Cut Template

Cut a template out of cardstock in the shape of a rectangle with a rounded top. You can fold the cardstock in half before cutting to ensure the curve is symmetrical. Be sure that when unfolded, the template fits inside your flowerpot.

Photo by: Karen Kavett

Karen Kavett

Trace and Cut

Trace the template onto the green felt and cut it out six times (Image 1 + 2).

Sew and Trim the Edges

Pair up the felt pieces and sew around the edges, leaving the bottom open. You should end up with three sewn pieces (Image 1 - 3). Trim the edges, being careful not to cut through the thread (Image 4).

Stack and Sew

Stack all of the pieces on top of each other and sew a line up the center (Image 1 - 5).

Stuff Your Cactus Pincushion

Stuff each section with fiberfill, using a pencil to push it in (Image 1 - 3).

Add a Felt Flower

Cut a small flower from pink felt (Image 1). Use pink embroidery thread to sew it onto the top of the cactus, optionally adding a pink bead into the center (Image 2 + 3).

Create Cactus Spikes

Cut small pieces of white embroidery thread and use an embroidery needle to thread them through the cactus (Image 1 + 2). Tie a double knot and trim the ends to create a cactus spike (Image 3 + 4). Add these randomly all over the cactus (Image 5).

Make the Pieces for Your Flowerpot

Trace the top of your flowerpot onto tan felt and cut it out (Image 1 + 2). Trace this circle onto Styrofoam (Image 3) and use a craft knife to carve a piece that fits snugly into your flowerpot (Image 4 + 5).

Sew on Your "Sand"

Sew the tan circle to the bottom of your cactus (Image 1 - 3).

Put it all Together

Use a low-temp hot glue gun to glue the bottom of the tan circle onto the top of the Styrofoam (Image 1 + 2).

Your DIY Cactus Pincushion Is Complete!

Add pins to your cactus pincushion (Image 1). Feel free to make these in any size or color you like (Image 2).

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