Dresden plate pincushion

This is going to be the last of the patterns I'll be posting this week - unfortunately some things have come up and I won't be able to do the Christmas cushion I promised this week, but soon!

As with previous tutes this week, I'll be talking through how to draft this yourself.

Firstly, draw an approx. 5 1/2" circle on paper.  Cut it out, and fold carefully in half, half again and half again - so into 8.  Cut out one of these segments, and trim off the curved end:

 and a bit off the other end (I actually trimmed a bit more of this).

 Cut out 8 from your fabrics - I have 8 different fabrics, but just two or four would be really cute too!

 Fold in half along the top edge

 sew and clip off the little corner.

 Fingerpress open

 and turn right sides out.

 Arrange

 and sew together.  Your plate will be approx. 3 1/2" wide.

 Applique onto your background fabric, making sure you'll have enough for a 1/4" seam allowance.

 Look at this lovely ladder stitch!

 Note:  I chose to stuff my plate, which I did near the end.  If you don't want to do this, applique a circle over the middle at this stage.
Draw a circle around your plate - I used a small embroidery hoop approx. 4" wide.

 Cut out, and another circle the same size.

Prepare a length to go around it - circumference is a little more than 3x than the diametre, so we'll say 12 1/2", plus at least 1/2" more.  Press under 1/2" at one end, wrong sides facing.

 Starting with this end, pin all around one of your circles (I used the one with the applique on it)

 Ensure you have at least 1/2" overlap, and trim off excess.

 Sew the other end on.  Stuff firmly:

 and sew up the hole in the side.  (Disclosure, I went back, ripped out the stitches and stuffed more in...  so much stuffing!)

 I chose to stuff my little plate, this is optional.  If you do, be very careful not to pull out stitches.

 Prepare a circle for the centre of the plate.  I used a Perfect Circles template, but you could draw round a spool and use that.  I used starch to control the seam allowance.

 Applique over the centre, and that's it!  All done!