Sea Turtle Pin Cushion and Thread Catcher

🐢 Sea Turtle Pin Cushion & Thread Catcher Class

Cute and practical? Yes, please! In this fun and functional class, you’ll create a Sea Turtle Pin Cushion with an attached Thread Catcher — the perfect duo to keep your sewing space tidy while adding a splash of personality.

This clever design combines a sturdy, well-stuffed turtle shell on top (perfect for holding your pins) with a handy fabric basket underneath to catch thread snips and tiny scraps. It’s an ideal project for using your favorite prints — think ocean blues, batiks, brights, or even a whimsical novelty!

In this class, you’ll learn:

• Techniques for sewing and shaping small curved pieces

• How to achieve a firm, smooth pin cushion finish

• Tips for attaching the pin cushion securely to the thread catcher

• Construction methods for a stable, stand-up fabric basket

Great for confident beginners and beyond, this project is practical, giftable, and just plain adorable. You’ll leave with a hardworking little turtle ready to sit proudly beside your sewing machine — keeping pins handy and threads under control.

Come sew something useful, creative, and guaranteed to make you smile every time you reach for a pin! 🪡

Details

Class Name:  Sea Turtle Pin Cushion and Thread Catcher
Number of Classes:  1
Class Date:  Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Class Time:  10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Class Instructor:  Karen Johnson
Class Instruction Fee:   $40
Pattern Required:  Sea Turtle Pin Cushion and Thread Catcher by Jennifer Heynen
Skill Level:  Confident Beginner
Passport Class:  2026 Class Passport – Session 2 (February-May)

Class Passport

We always try to have a diverse class schedule that has something for everyone.  To help you take advantage of the variety of classes on our schedule, we offer a class passport to all prospective students.  We have three class passports each year, each for a specific class session.  Passport 1 covers February-May classes, Passport 2 covers June-September classes, and Passport 3 covers October-January classes.  The cost of each passport is $169.  Once you purchase the passport, you can take as many passport-eligible classes as you would like for free within that class session.  Most of our classes are passport eligible, but please refer to the class details before you sign up to ensure it is passport eligible.  This is a great way to expand your quilting skills and knowledge as well as ensure you have dedicated sewing time throughout the class session.

Click here to purchase a class passport. 

Class Supply List

Because we appreciate your business, Emma’s Quilt Cupboard & Sewing Center offers a 10% discount on all fabrics, books, and specific supplies that you purchase for your class.  You will also receive 10% off long-arm quilting services for your class project. 

Supplies:

• Basic sewing supplies
• Cutting mat, rotary cutter, and ruler
• Sewing machine in good working condition with ¼” foot
• Soft & Stable (at least 5” x 18”)
• Marking pen (I prefer a water-soluble marking pen)
• 2 - small buttons for eyes (I used small buttons instead of black felt)
• (1) ½” – 1” button for underside of turtle. (This holds the thread catcher to the turtle) 
• (1) – 3” piece of elastic cord (used for button loop)
• Fiberfill - to stuff the turtle
• Weighted pellets or crushed walnut shells (*I like to add about ¾ cup of crushed walnut shells to add some weight to the pincushion, in addition to the fiberfill)
• Thread to match your fabrics.

Fabric:

• ¼ yard exterior fabric – turtle shell and outer thread catcher
• ¼ yard fabric for turtle body and thread catcher lining.

Class Preparation:

•  We will cut the fabrics to size in class.

Class Guidelines

• Emma’s Quilt Cupboard & Sewing Center maintains a strong commitment to education and expanding your quilting skills and knowledge. Because of this, our promise to you is to NEVER cancel a class, regardless of the number of people who have signed up. 
• Emma’s Quilt Cupboard & Sewing Center offers a 10% discount for all project classes (excludes weekly or ongoing classes). This discount applies to all fabric, books/patterns, and class-specific supplies that you purchase for class (i.e., specialty rulers).  Basic sewing supplies and tools are not included. 
• Please note that we have a refrigerator and microwave in the shop’s kitchen. Feel free to use them for your lunch or snack. 
• You will only be “officially” signed up for a class when payment has been received. You can sign up for a class on the website, over the phone, in person at the shop, or by mail, using a credit card, cash, or check. 
• Our goal is to provide sufficient time during class for you to complete your class projects or to learn a specific technique. However, please remember that some classes may require homework or “catch up” for less-experienced quilters.
• A supply list will be provided for each class. Please have your fabrics and supplies assembled/purchased before the class so that we may start on time.  Anyone at the shop will be happy to help you with your fabric selections if you would find that useful.  Basic supplies for a quilting class include a sewing machine, cutting mat, rotary cutter, ruler, and basic sewing kit (scissors, seam ripper, pins, etc.).
• Each student must have a legal copy of the class pattern or book to participate.  No photocopies or sharing of books or patterns is allowed in class to ensure we do not violate any copyright laws.
• Refunds for classes will be given with a minimum of 1-week’s advance notice. Should you withdraw from a class with less than 1-week’s notice, we will issue a store credit, providing we receive at least 24 hours’ notice.
• Please note for all machine classes: please bring your sewing machine in good working order and be familiar with its basic functions (e.g., threading the machine, changing the needle, needle position adjustment, and stitch length).  While we will do our best to help you with any problems, we are not familiar with all machines.  Therefore, it is important that you have a thorough working knowledge of your machine.  Remember your foot pedal and power cord!
• Please turn off your cell phone, pager, or other electronic devices.  If you must take a call, please leave the classroom to do so.
• Many people are allergic to fragrance.  Please refrain from wearing perfume to class.