How to make a biscornu

Many people think that a biscornu is difficult to make. This guide will teach you how to make a biscornu in 3 easy steps.

First, what is a biscornu? Biscornu is an eight-sided pincushion in a form of a cross stitch, backstitch or blackwork. There are many beautiful free biscornu patterns out there, find the one you like and follow the instructions below.

STEP 1: First, stitch the two designs. In every biscornu chart there is a top and bottom part. Some designs stitch the top part only. Make sure you include a line of backstitch around the edge on both designs. When you finish, trim the edges to 1cm.

STEP 2: Take the bottom design and attach the central backstitch to a pointed corner of the top design. Use one strand of thread from the same thread that you used to make the line backstitch. You do not need to pass your needle through the fabric, just pass your needle carefully through each of the backstitches.

Pass the needle through the next backstitch on both designs. Work your way along this edge and the next until you finish sewing the sixth size of the biscornu. As you continue the same technique, you will begin to see the eight-sided cushion taking place.

STEP 3: Just before you finish it, stuff the biscornu with cushion filling, pushing the stuffing firmly into all corners. Finish sewing the last two sides.

Attach the two buttons, one on top and one on bottom. Go back and forth pulling the thread tight to create the dent at the centre of the cushion.