Ty

Hey y'all,
Just bought a cute pattern for pincushions, but no where does it say what to use to stuff them with. HELP!!
I'd like to get started making these but not sure what to use inside them.
Thanks for any help.
Ty

lin

You can stuff them with a soft polyfill, but sand works well too. I made a really cute one using an antique sugar dish and used sand in that one and I love it. I've heard it helps keep your pins and needles sharp, but don't quote me on that! :)

Ty

Morning Lin,
Thanks for the ideas. I wanted to use something that would help keep the pins and needles sharp so will try the sand idea. Hope I don't make a mess all over the place tho. :?
Now my honey will wonder what new kinds of trouble I'm getting myself into, playing with sand. Oh well, always like to keep him guessing.

lin

:lol: :lol: Mine never knows what I'll be up to next! I used a small funnel to get the sand where it needed to be. That kept the mess to a minimum. :)

Ty

I'll try that suggestion and will let you know how they turn out.

june6995

I have a pattern for a tea cup pin cushion:

http://www.sew-whats-new.com/projects/t-cup-pin-C.shtml

They recommend steel wool. My tip would be "do not use polyester." You know how it dulls your rotary cutter blades when you cut it. If you are going to put needles in this pin cushion, you want something that will sharpen, noto dull them.

Now, take a look at what is in the old fashioned pin cushions. The little strawberry is filled with sand, but the "tomato" is filled with something akin to sawdust.

Perhaps some of you will use this pattern. I have been collecting cups and saucers from Thrift stores and plan to make some for gifts. You can be creative and use other things like antique sugar bowls, creamers, etc.

I do hope this is helpful to someone.

June in Cincinnati

Ty

June,
What a darling idea for a pincushion. I love thrift stores and garage sales so guess I'll start looking for tea cups and saucers now too. Oh my poor hubby. :roll:
I do know not to use poly batting in the pincushion and was thinking about the tomato and strawberry pincushions with sawdust ( or something like that) in them, but I believe I'll try the suggestions here: sand and steel wool. I'll have to let y'all know which I prefer when I get them done.
Thanks for the site link.

kathy

my 2cents or sense you be the juge! the stuff in the strawberry on the tomatoe is emery (a very fine sand) i can't tell if it does anything for my needles or not but when i think about it i stick them in there a few times. needles and pins are probably the cheapest part of our addiction any way. i'm going to find a cute something and make me one with sand for the weight, it burns me up to reach for a pin with my free hand and pick up the whole thing, then i have to let go of what i was holding in place. i don't get a chance to go to garage sales and stuff cause i'm only off on Sunday but my mom will welcome another excuse to go (like she needs one. LOL)
thanks for the neat idea

lin

I get my sugar bowls at various flea markets in the area. I've picked them up for as little as a couple of bucks. It takes no time to make one of these. I usually add a little embellishment around the edge of the bowl to hide any hot glue that might be showing. Now I'll be looking at tea cups too! :)
I agree that it's miserable to have such a light pin cushion that you pick up the whole thing at once. Ugh! These are just heavy enough...

june6995

Once again if I may........ I do not use this type pin cushion on my sewing table, unless it is for needles. These are decorative and make a nice addition for a dresser for things like a ha tpin collection.

For my sewing area I have 3 magnetic grabbers and I would not be able to live without them. I keep one directly behind the sewing machine so I can toss the pins as I pull them. I keep one in the cutting area (yes, I did buy the 500 pin package) and the other one is for carrying to another location, like beside my recliner if I am removing stitches and need to re-pin. Like the paring knife in the kitchen, one is NEVER enough!

June in Cincinnati