Cactus Pin Cushion

Looking for a fun, quick craft project? This Cactus Pin Cushion is simple to create, and looks adorable anywhere in your home. Use it when you’re sewing, or just as a piece of handmade home decor. Ready to make your own? Let’s get started!

Image contains two felt cacti in terracotta pots.

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How to Make a Cactus Pin Cushion

This project only takes a few basic supplies, and you can create it in less than 15 minutes. Here’s everything you need to know to make your own.

Image contains two decorative cacti made from green felt with pink felt flowers on top, in terracotta pots.

Materials:

2 sheets of green felt
1 sheet of pink or red felt
free cactus leaf & flower pattern
pinking shears
scissors
sewing machine or needle and thread
small terracotta pot
glue

Instructions:

Cut six of the u-shaped pieces from green felt.

You can use the free pattern I created, or freehand your own in any size you like.

Tip: Use pinking shears for this step if you have them, because the points will make it look like your cactus is prickly.

Image contains Amy’s hand holding two cut pieces of green felt.

Arrange the pieces into three pairs and sew around the outside edges of each, leaving the bottom open.

This will give you three pieces, each open on the bottom. If you don’t want to sew or are crafting with kids, you can use glue for this step instead. Just make sure to keep it to the edges so you have plenty of room to fill the pieces with Poly-Fil.

Image contains two green felt pieces sewn together around the outside edges.

Sew the pairs together with a vertical seam.

Stack the three pieces on top of each other, and sew a seam straight through the center of them. This will give you the body of the cactus, with six separate openings.

Stuff each section with Poly-Fil.

Image contains Amy’s hands stuffing Poly-Fil into one section of the felt cactus.

Cut and create the flower.

Cut the pink or red felt and roll the cut piece to form a flower. Use hot glue to hold it together.

Image contains Amy’ hand holding a pink felt flower.

Assemble your cactus.

Glue the flower on top, then glue the cactus into a small terracotta pot. Feel free to add small stones, soil, or any kind of filler you like to the pot if your cactus doesn’t fill it completely.

All that’s left to do is add your pins so that your cactus pin cushion is as functional as it is adorable!

Crafting Tips

You can also use fabric in place of the felt for this project. Using a green patterned fabric will give it a totally unique look. Just make sure since fabric has a “right side” and a “wrong side” that when you pair your leaves, the right sides are facing out.
If you don’t enjoy sewing, or are crafting with kids, feel free to use hot glue or craft glue to secure the felt pairs together instead.
Make your cactus unique by using a different color flower, different shades of green felt for the leaves, and/or making your cactus a different size.
Use a pencil or dowel rod to help you push the stuffing into the small openings.
Feel free to get extra creative and paint or otherwise decorate the terracotta pot, too!

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is this cactus?

Mine is 6“, including the flower and the pot (the cactus itself is about 4”), but you can make yours as large or small as you like by trimming the leaf pieces to a different size.

Should I sew by hand or machine?

Either option works great! I chose to use the machine for mine to speed up the process, but you can sew by hand if you prefer.

What if I don’t sew, so I don’t need a pincushion?

No worries, this is still a cute decorative piece you can put on a shelf or mantel!

More Felt Projects

If you enjoyed this project, be sure to check out these other ideas for quick and easy felt crafts.