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

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

By: Karen Kavett

Show: HGTV Handmade

Related To:

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.

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DIY Cactus Pincushion

09:51

Karen Kavett gives her sewing space some Southwestern flair with an adorable felt pincushion.

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).

Trace the template onto green felt and cut it out six times.

Karen Kavett

Trace and Cut Out Pattern

Trace the template onto green felt and cut it out six times.

Photo By: Karen Kavett

Trace and Cut Out Pattern

Trace the template onto green felt and cut it out six times.

Photo By: Karen Kavett

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).

Pair up the felt pieces and sew around the edges, leaving the bottom open. You should end up with three sewn pieces. Trim the edges, being sure not to cut through the thread.

Karen Kavett

Sew Felt Pieces

Pair up the felt pieces and sew around the edges, leaving the bottom open. You should end up with three sewn pieces. Trim the edges, being sure not to cut through the thread.

Photo By: Karen Kavett

Sew Felt Pieces

Pair up the felt pieces and sew around the edges, leaving the bottom open. You should end up with three sewn pieces. Trim the edges, being sure not to cut through the thread.

Photo By: Karen Kavett

Sew Felt Pieces

Pair up the felt pieces and sew around the edges, leaving the bottom open. You should end up with three sewn pieces. Trim the edges, being sure not to cut through the thread.

Photo By: Karen Kavett

Sew Felt Pieces

Pair up the felt pieces and sew around the edges, leaving the bottom open. You should end up with three sewn pieces. Trim the edges, being sure not to cut through the thread.

Photo By: Karen Kavett

Stack and Sew

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

Karen Kavett

Stack and Sew All Pieces Together

Stack all of the pieces on top of each other and sew a line up the center.

Photo By: Karen Kavett

Stack and Sew All Pieces Together

Stack all of the pieces on top of each other and sew a line up the center.

Photo By: Karen Kavett

Stack and Sew All Pieces Together

Stack all of the pieces on top of each other and sew a line up the center.

Photo By: Karen Kavett

Stack and Sew All Pieces Together

Stack all of the pieces on top of each other and sew a line up the center.

Photo By: Karen Kavett

Stack and Sew All Pieces Together

Stack all of the pieces on top of each other and sew a line up the center.

Photo By: Karen Kavett

Stuff Your Cactus Pincushion

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

Karen Kavett

Stuff the Sections

Stuff each section with fiberfill, using a pencil to push it in.

Photo By: Karen Kavett

Stuff the Sections

Stuff each section with fiberfill, using a pencil to push it in.

Photo By: Karen Kavett

Stuff the Sections

Stuff each section with fiberfill, using a pencil to push it in.

Photo By: Karen Kavett

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).

Cut a small flower from pink felt. Use pink embroidery thread to sew it onto the top of the cactus, optionally adding a pink bead into the center.

Karen Kavett

Add a Flower

Cut a small flower from pink felt. Use pink embroidery thread to sew it onto the top of the cactus, optionally adding a pink bead into the center.

Photo By: Karen Kavett

Add a Flower

Cut a small flower from pink felt. Use pink embroidery thread to sew it onto the top of the cactus, optionally adding a pink bead into the center.

Photo By: Karen Kavett

Add a Flower

Cut a small flower from pink felt. Use pink embroidery thread to sew it onto the top of the cactus, optionally adding a pink bead into the center.

Photo By: Karen Kavett

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).

Cut small pieces of white embroidery thread and use an embroidery needle to thread them through the cactus. Tie a double knot and trim the ends to get a cactus “spike.” Add these randomly all over the cactus.

Karen Kavett

Add Spikes

Cut small pieces of white embroidery thread and use an embroidery needle to thread them through the cactus. Tie a double knot and trim the ends to get a cactus “spike.” Add these randomly all over the cactus.

Photo By: Karen Kavett

Add Spikes

Photo By: Karen Kavett

Add Spikes

Photo By: Karen Kavett

Add Spikes

Photo By: Karen Kavett

Add Spikes

Photo By: Karen Kavett

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).

Trace the top of your flowerpot onto tan felt and cut it out. Trace this circle onto Styrofoam and use a craft knife to carve a piece that fits snugly into your flowerpot.

Karen Kavett