Strawberry Pincushions

These are so cute and this will make a great project for my Girl Scout Troop. I am the troop leader of 7 wonderful exuberant girls ages 8 - 10 (one being my 9 year old daughter). I can still remember my first sewing projects when I was a girl in scouts. I still have the pin cushion I made (which I still use) and the dishcloth bag with my name (S A B I N A - D E S H A Z O) embroidered on it. I had so much fun learning those basic stitches. I hope my girls can take away the same experiences I had and the many skills I learned that carried me a long way in life. How to build a fire - how to use a compass - sewing and crafting - not to mention the value of a friend and teamwork. The truth is though - they have given me more than I can ever give them.
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Tools and Materials -

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Fabric and ribbon remnants
Sewing machine
Needle and thread
Scissors
Fine sand or emery#3 pearl-cotton thread or felt, for berries' tops
6-strand embroidery floss,for seeds
Fabric glue
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Strawberry Pincushion How-To
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1. Begin by printing out templates. Trace the cone template onto fabric, then cut out the shape. Fold the fabric into a cone shape, right sides facing, and stitch together along one edge, leaving a narrow seam allowance.
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2. Sew a loose, even running stitch along the perimeter of the wide opening, which will become the top of the berry. Before cinching the top, place the cone in a small jar or bottle for balance, and fill it with sand or emery, which will keep pins sharp. Pull the thread taut, and stitch the top closed.
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3. For the strawberry's top, trace the cap template onto a piece of felt, cut out the shape, and affix it in place with a drop of glue; then sew along the edges with a slip stitch. Or, create leaves by sewing long stem stitches onto the strawberry using the pearl-cotton thread, leaving a loop of floss at the top for a handle. Embroider seeds onto berry using embroidery floss with a single stitch or a French-knot stitch._

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