Pincushions are a necessity in any sewing workspace.  And they’re often a fun and rewarding sewing project, as well.  Here at Havel’s Sewing, we’ve collected our favorite pincushion projects from around the web.  Feel inspired?  You can buy the pattern for a few of these beauties, check out the Flickr tutorials, or click on the picture to go directly to free directions.  Pretty up your sewing space with a practical place for your pins.

Take a look through this inspiring little book from the “Pretty Little” series from Lark Publications.  How About Orange? featured a little mushroom from this book a few days ago.  The Flickr tutorial walks you through the steps.  Click on the picture to buy the book.

Pretty Little Pincushions

We can’t resist this cactus pincushion made by Megan from Crafty Intentions.  Your pins are the prickly points on this imaginative pincushion.  Although we couldn’t find a pattern, you can purchase other plush items through her Etsy store.

Cactus pincushion from Megan at Crafty Intentions

Doesn’t this cupcake pincushion make your mouth water?  We think it would make a great birthday gift for the sewist in your life.  Or from the sewist in your life!  The pattern is available at The Calico Cat.

Cupcake Pincushion Pattern from The Calico Cat

This dainty teacup and saucer pincushion is as elegant as it is useful.  And a great way to repurpose never-used china!  Invite other crafy ladies over for tea and teacup pincushion assembly.  Click on the photo to go to the free pattern from Tipnut.

The Flower Pot Pincushion from The Long Thread offers an invaluable way to use some of your larger fabric remnants.  We like this particular project for its flexibility in size and materials.  Make one for your workroom and never lose a pin again.

Flower Pot Pincushion from The Long Thread

What do you think of the wristlet pincushions for projects while you roam?  This wearable wrist pincushion from Planet June is as useful as it easy appealing.  Click on the pic to go to the instructions.

One for Your Wrist from Planet June

Anna Maria Horner has a wonderful free pattern for a Wildflower Pincushion from Better Homes & Gardens. Use her fabulous fabric for a wild and wonderful burst of color in your sewing room.

Wild Flower Pincushion by Anna Maria Horner

For more pincushion projects, check out this list from Tipnut of 60 Free Pincushion Patterns. Craftershock has a wonderful post on 9 Precious Pincushions that will awaken your crafty ambitions.

A few of us here at Havel’s Sewing have been comparing notions in our sewing baskets. We’ve got a variety of needles and rulers and pins, for sure. But when it comes to our cutting tools, everyone agrees on three absolute essential cutting tools to complete your sewing kit.  We all agree, too, that Havel’s Sewing offers your best bet for great quality notions.

Three Sewing Basket Essentials:

1. A good, sharp seam ripper.

The Ultra-Pro Seam Ripper

The E-Z Grip Seam Ripper

4 3/4″ Dura Snips on a Neck Strap

3. A pair of durable multi-use 8″ shears.

8" Sew Creative Sewing/Quilting Scissors

8 1/2" Curved Fabric Scissors

We like to have one of each product shown at our disposal, but only one seam ripper or one pair of scissors is absolutely necessary.  Over time, as your collection and assortment of tools grows, we imagine you’ll want to take advantage of our wide range of scissor sizes and angles.  Then, when you’re comparing notions with your friends, you’ll be the one with the neatest tools.  And you’ll be the one who knows where to get ’em.

On the rare days when we’re not feeling so crafty here at Havel’s Sewing, we like to jump online and browse through the ever-amazing blogosphere for ideas and inspiration. A few of our favorite fabric designers have wonderful blogs, as well as wonderful books, that keep our imaginations soaring with dreams of potential projects covering our studio counter. Havel’s Sewing would like to share a few of our favorites and extend our gratitude for their creative spirits.

Seams to Me by Anna Maria Horner

Anna Maria Horner is the designer of Good Folks fabric and the author of Seams to Me: 24 New Reasons to Love Sewing. She manages to design, sew and raise a big family AND blog on a fairly regular basis.

Bend the Rules Sewing by Amy Karol

Amy Karol is the woman behind the blog Angry Chicken. She offers lots of great projects on her site. She is an artist and illustrator and the author of Bend the Rules Sewing. Her latest book, Bend the Rules with Fabric will be available in August 2009.

Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross

Heather Ross designs the Far Far Away fabric for Kokka from Japan. She is also the author of Weekend Sewing: More Than 40 Project and Ideas for Inspired Stitching. Her blog is full of delicious photos and a peak into her life.

How About Orange...by Jessica Jones

Jessica Jones is the designer behind Amusement Park fabric and author of the crafty blog How About Orange? You’ll find lots of inspiration and links to how-tos on her site.

j caroline creative

For more trusty how-tos, check out J. Caroline Creative’s How-To section. You’ll also find plenty of inspired projects on her blog – and the fabric to complete them in her shop.

Once we’ve browsed through these few sites, we’re back at our sewing machines and ready to go! Now, we’d like to know: where do you get your sewing inspiration?