Sewing Stars

I wanted to make some star-shaped Christmas ornaments reminiscient of antique PA pincushions I had seen.  Here is an example of an Amish pincusion at The Cat Lady Antiques website:

http://www.thecatladyantiques.com/oct11/textiles/amishstarpc.html

Another example is on the Stonecroft Antiques website.  This shape pincushion reminds me of a sea creature.

http://www.stonecroftantiques.com/asprins.html

And here is the queen of the star-like pin cushions, an antique mariner's compass star pincushion:

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1880-90s-mariners-compass-star-victorian-pin-cushion

I remembered also seeing a tutorial on how to to make a star pincushion done by Heirlooms by Ashton House blogger Kimber, here: 

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2011/08/sew-simple-star-pincushion.html

I made a smaller scale version and instead of using a template to cut my diamonds, I cut 1.5 inch strips, cut the end off at a 45 degree angle and then made 1.5 inch slices along the strip to form the diamond shapes.  I pressed the antique and vintage fabrics that I use with spray starch before cutting; the stiffness really  helped when with cutting and sewing the diamonds together.  I stuffed the stars with polyester batting; it fluffs out nicely vs. cotton which I find get compacted and  looks lumpy.  A  button in the center and a perle cotton string hanger finishes off the ornament.    Beside the traditional red and green, I think the blue and white with a vintage glass button in the center is my favorite combination.  Looks very wintery/icy/snowy.

Finshed ornament measures 5 inches from point to point.