I just finished updating one of the first three patterns I wrote. The Golden Hen pattern that I originally created as a baby rattle is now available as a pincushion. Oh my goodness, it feels so good to get something off of my list of things to do!! I love these hens and they are so much fun to make. I am literally smiling the whole time I make them because they are so stinking cute. Here at Casa de DEMOO, I am working on a flock of them. I will be listing them as finished goods in my Etsy shop and listing the pattern there as well. What a wonderful Friday!! Because I am in an extra happy mood, I will be giving one of these cuties away.
These golden hen pincushions are really nice in wool. Here I use dyed wools, but you can totally use cotton fabric instead. My very first pattern test was made out of a funky green fabric that was given to me after an estate had been sorted through. I gave a lot of the apparel fabrics away but kept the cottons which have been perfect for testing blocks. My dog Enzo loves that bird, so they make a nice dog and cat toys, too. LOL.
Why I created the Golden Hen
Making these birds has taken me down memory lane. You might remember the fabric line I created based on Jack and the Beanstalk. I was able to print it with Spoonflower.
I wrote three patterns in support of that line. Two years ago, I updated the Garden Star Quilt and now I updated the Golden Hen pincushion. Which is a three-dimensional interpretation of the hen from that fabric line. Now I need to update the Vines pattern. But I have a few new patterns that I want to finish up before I start working on that one again. My major goal for the upcoming year is to make time to draw. So I will be sharing a little more of that here as well.
The Giveaway
This giveaway is closed rosiegma is the winner. I will email you asking for your mailing address. To enter into this giveaway for a chance to win this hen with pins and the pattern, comment on this blog post and tell me about your favorite way to hold your pins. My mom keeps them in candy tins. I will announce the winner here, next Friday which is April 2nd, 2021. Good luck everyone!!
The Comments
Elissa Schirmer Erly
I keep my pins in a beautiful pin cushion made by my BFF. It is made of Japanese fabric from her world travels. Gives me hope that I might travel abroad again one day soon and collect fabric from all over the world. What else would a quilter collect as travel souvenirs?😂❤️
Elisabeth DeMoo
> Elissa Schirmer ErlyI love that!! Sewing friends are the best! I can think of nothing better then visiting a quilt shop on vacations and getting a few extra yards. Thanks for sharing.
Elissa Schirmer Erly
I keep my pins in a beautiful pin cushion made by my BFF. It is made of Japanese fabric from her world travels. Gives me hope that I might travel abroad again one day soon and collect fabric from all over the world. What else would a quilter collect as travel souvenirs?😂❤️
Elisabeth DeMoo
> Elissa Schirmer ErlyI love that!! Sewing friends are the best! I can think of nothing better then visiting a quilt shop on vacations and getting a few extra yards. Thanks for sharing.
Sara
I mostly use a felted ball…It is golf ball size and glued into a wooden egg cup. It sits easily next to the machine. I bought the egg cup in Germany and had no idea what to use it for – therefore – pin holder!!
Elisabeth DeMoo
> SaraI have a few egg cups that I never use. That is a great idea. That sounds like it would make a great gift…. Thank you for sharing Sara!!
rosiegma
Hello I use a skinny penny that sits right in front of my machine. I like using this as I had received it in a swap. That golden hen is very pretty. Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
Elisabeth DeMoo
> rosiegmaHummm… I am thinking a skinny penny might be a long skinny pincushion. If I am right then I have one of those!! I made it to go in the bag I take to classes. It would be the perfect pincushion for everyday sewing!! Thanks for sharing.
rosiegma
Hello I use a skinny penny that sits right in front of my machine. I like using this as I had received it in a swap. That golden hen is very pretty. Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
Elisabeth DeMoo
> rosiegmaHummm… I am thinking a skinny penny might be a long skinny pincushion. If I am right then I have one of those!! I made it to go in the bag I take to classes. It would be the perfect pincushion for everyday sewing!! Thanks for sharing.
Caryn S
I like having my pins in wool pincushions. I have several around including one for the large flower pins.
Elisabeth DeMoo
> Caryn SI love the long flower pins!! Pincushions are so much fun to look at. I have a few more designs that I want to make. Thanks for sharing!!
Caryn S
I like having my pins in wool pincushions. I have several around including one for the large flower pins.
Elisabeth DeMoo
> Caryn SI love the long flower pins!! Pincushions are so much fun to look at. I have a few more designs that I want to make. Thanks for sharing!!
Susan N.
It all depends on the pins. The ones I use the most I prefer to have in a pin cushion. Others in small clear boxes or tins.
Elisabeth DeMoo
> Susan N.Interesting!! Sounds like you are very organized. What are your favorite pins?? I have come to love the glass top because they don’t melt. But the flower pins are a close second.
Linda Robertson
I referred to the pin cushion as a goose instead of the golden hen,please forgive me.
Elisabeth DeMoo
> Linda RobertsonThat is fine with me!!
Linda Robertson
I referred to the pin cushion as a goose instead of the golden hen,please forgive me.
Elisabeth DeMoo
> Linda RobertsonThat is fine with me!!
Diane Lamb
I use many different pincushions and magnetic bowls to hold my pins. I like a lot of of pincushions so they are always on hand. This little cutie would sit by my side keeping me happy and organized!!
Thanks for the adorable giveaway!!
Elisabeth DeMoo
> Diane LambI do like multiples!! I have one by my machine and one on my ironing board. When one gets full I rotate them. Thanks for sharing!!
Diane Lamb
I use many different pincushions and magnetic bowls to hold my pins. I like a lot of of pincushions so they are always on hand. This little cutie would sit by my side keeping me happy and organized!!
Thanks for the adorable giveaway!!
Elisabeth DeMoo
> Diane LambI do like multiples!! I have one by my machine and one on my ironing board. When one gets full I rotate them. Thanks for sharing!!
Diane Beavers
Hi Elisabeth, my longest pins are kept in a Singer tin box circa 1954. A friend let me borrow her 1954 Singer (made of iron- it’s so heavy) and now she’s gifted it to me. So I have these lovely accessories and her good karma in that tin along with my long pins. Thank you !
I still have my Wool hen that you gifted me with and she holds my clover clips. I really should name her. Something cute 🙂
Elisabeth DeMoo
> Diane BeaversThat is very cool!! Sometimes I look at old singer tins on Ebay (along with older sewing machines). That is special gift! I am so glad you like your hen. Thanks for sharing.
Jo Weinkauf
Currently I put my pins back in the manufacturer’s container. I had a wrist pincushion I made in grade school but it got lost and I haven’t replaced it. Your pincushion is adorable. Thanks for the opportunity. If I don’t win, I will purchase the pattern so I can make a few.
Elisabeth DeMoo
> Jo WeinkaufThat is too bad. 🙁 I go crazy looking for things when I can find them. I hope it appears soon. Thank you so much!! It makes me very happy that you like the pincushion. Thanks for sharing!!
Jo Weinkauf
Currently I put my pins back in the manufacturer’s container. I had a wrist pincushion I made in grade school but it got lost and I haven’t replaced it. Your pincushion is adorable. Thanks for the opportunity. If I don’t win, I will purchase the pattern so I can make a few.
Elisabeth DeMoo
> Jo WeinkaufThat is too bad. 🙁 I go crazy looking for things when I can find them. I hope it appears soon. Thank you so much!! It makes me very happy that you like the pincushion. Thanks for sharing!!
Rosemary B
I am so happy I found your blog!!! I have a few pin cushions. They have a magnet installed on the bottom
so they do not migrate like a bird might….. but hens do not migrate. Anyway, I love those pin cushions.
I collect fabrics and have several old pieces from dresses I made as a child from fabrics from Iran and Turkey
Elisabeth DeMoo
> Rosemary BI am happy you found my blog too! I also have magnet pin dishes. Now that I think of it, I might just have a collection of pincushions going with out realizing it. Wow!! Your fabric collection sound amazing. They would make great hens and quilts. Thanks for sharing!
Rosemary B
I am so happy I found your blog!!! I have a few pin cushions. They have a magnet installed on the bottom
so they do not migrate like a bird might….. but hens do not migrate. Anyway, I love those pin cushions.
I collect fabrics and have several old pieces from dresses I made as a child from fabrics from Iran and Turkey
Elisabeth DeMoo
> Rosemary BI am happy you found my blog too! I also have magnet pin dishes. Now that I think of it, I might just have a collection of pincushions going with out realizing it. Wow!! Your fabric collection sound amazing. They would make great hens and quilts. Thanks for sharing!
Dee Barnes
Hi! I have pinseverywhere but my favorite are the flower pins, I have a couple of pin coushins but seem to keep alll the differnt size headsin different little plastic lock boxes so qwhen I drop them (more often than I’d care to admit) they stay in the box. I love the Golden Hen too.It’s so graceful. Thanks for having a give-away.
Elisabeth DeMoo
> Dee BarnesThank you so much!! I have pins everywhere too. During the pandemic me and my hubby adopted two kittens and they love finding my pincushions and pulling out my pins and dropping them on the floor so keeping them in tins is sounding better and better.
Dee Barnes
Hi! I have pinseverywhere but my favorite are the flower pins, I have a couple of pin coushins but seem to keep alll the differnt size headsin different little plastic lock boxes so qwhen I drop them (more often than I’d care to admit) they stay in the box. I love the Golden Hen too.It’s so graceful. Thanks for having a give-away.
Elisabeth DeMoo
> Dee BarnesThank you so much!! I have pins everywhere too. During the pandemic me and my hubby adopted two kittens and they love finding my pincushions and pulling out my pins and dropping them on the floor so keeping them in tins is sounding better and better.