Be Kind to Spiders Week 2025: Jumping Spider Pincushion

My magnetic pincushion broke about five years ago and I decided I needed to make a Jumping Spider companion for my sewing needs. I’ve been admiring this bird pincushion from Heirloom Art Co. for a couple years now. While I was brainstorming ideas, I realized I could potentially make it more Chelsea. So I bugged Erick to see if we could use our new 3D printer to make this vision a reality.

I must give credit where credit is due. This project was only possible thanks to Ocular Dynamic’s Articulated Jumping Spider 3D file. Otherwise, I might not have gotten this completed in time for Be Kind to Spiders Week. Erick ran this file through a program to make a space in the spider’s abdomen. This would allow me to add the cushion to it. This was the only change we made to the file.

Flocking a Jumping Spider

Once the file was printed, I was ready to make this spider fuzzy. I’m not sure why this became a thing I wanted to do. Initially, I was just going to paint it. However, I was hit with this desire to make it hairy. Especially since jumping spiders in particular are usually covered in hair. Somehow, PLAID became my go-to supplier for a couple projects this week. Did you know they have Velvet Crush kits? These flocking kits come with a tinted adhesive paint and the flocking powder. For my spider, I got the green color. However, after this project, I may end up flocking everything! It was super addicting and very quick to do…

Making a Pin Cushion Abdomen

Lastly, I made the cushion abdomen to my jumping spider pincushion. Although, if I didn’t do this, my little spider would have made a lovely trinket tray instead. Ironically, this was the most challenging part of the entire project. I cut out four different sized circles before I got the size I wanted. For this sized spider, I measured out a circle around the size of a salad plate. Honestly, I just used one of our salad plates and traced it with a sharpie on the fabric.

Once traced, I cut it with pinking shears so I didn’t have to worry about finishing the edges. This bit would be hidden inside the abdomen, so I didn’t feel like I had to make it too complicated. Next, I sewed a gathering stich along the edge, alternating the needle between every third triangle until I made it all the way around the circle. Finally, I slowly gathered the fabric together while filling with crushed nut shells. Obviously, if you have a nut allergy, you may want to substitute the shells for fiberfill. However, while I researched pincushions, it was recommended to use crushed shells as they help keep your pins sharp. Once it was full with shells, I tightened the gathers as tight as I could then knotted the thread off.

Enjoying my Jumping Spider Sewing Companion

Finally, it was time to attach the cushion to the abdomen and transition my pins. With the help of hot glue, I outlined the inner-abdomen, made a cross line and pushed the cushion into the space. For the time being, he will be sitting on our mantle. Ready to keep me company whenever I need to work on a sewing project. Now…I just need a name for him!

Could you use a jumping spider pincushion? He was a very simply spun project. As such, I would love to hear where your creativity takes you if you make your own.