Well, I finally bit the bullet and finished this cute little Turtle Pincushion Duo. I am glad I finished the pin cushions, but I am not happy with the final result.
When I made the smaller turtle, it was my first time sewing with felt, and I feel like it is not very pretty looking despite my best efforts. Actually, the turtle reminds me of the stitches on Frankenstein’s Monster. Maybe it’s a zombie turtle?
The small hexagons on his back were super fun to make, though, so that is a plus! I was so frustrated with the turtle as a whole that I didn’t even wash it when I was finished (as evidenced by the dark smudge on one of the yellow hexies).
The larger turtle went together a little easier, and he looks better than the smaller one, but I still had issues. For example, in the pattern, the set of hexagons is smaller than the top shell piece, and even though I followed the pattern religiously, mine was bigger so the final shell piece looks funny.
I am really happy with how my quilting turned out, though. Instead of marking the quilting pattern on the shell, I just sewed around in circles using the outside edge as a starting point.
I ended up getting so frustrated that I didn’t finish the large turtle with all the additional features it was supposed to have (scissor pocket, thread holder, etc.), but he does have the magnets in his front flippers.
I am definitely going to try this pattern again, but I am going to be extra careful about putting them together. Hopefully I don’t have the same problems again.
This is the seventh finished project from my Finish-A-Long Quarter 2 Project List.
Linking up at Made by You Monday, Show & Tell Link Party, Wow Me Wednesday, Whoop Whoop Fridays, Finish it up Friday, Friday Finds Link Party, and Show off Saturday.

Nature Girl. Mom. Wife. Friend. Photographer. Sewer. Crafter. Artist.
To borrow a phrase – “Yeet Ye Riche”
I think they are adorable! I’m sorry you were frustrated with them. I understand how it feels to know what they’re supposed to look like, and not have them come out as expected. I hope the next time you do this project it comes together more easily for you! (They really are adorable!!)
Oh my goodness, these are so cute. I always find that patterns that are a bit complex are easier the second time around! They turned out so wonderfully this first round, too (not a zombie turtle at all! 🙂 ) Thanks so much for linking up with the Finish-A-Long, on behalf of all of the hosts 🙂
Thank you, Stacey! I am still trying to get up the gumption to try them again!