oksewglad

Same process here, but use bird grit from pet dept. Bluff sand here is too fine

judee0624

I was in a quilt shop this past week and they had little bags of crushed walnuts for pincushions for sale. Now I know where to get them.

judee

Shemjo

Still using the crushed shells, lizard litter from the pet store. I use the funnel method Skeat mentioned to fill the form. It feels good to hold as well.

Margie

Silica sand that is used for flower arrangements is supposed to be good.
I buy the muslin bags filled with sand at a LQS..but I just read somewhere, when you use sand in some kind of fabric if you wrap it with interfacing it wont leak out. I usually wrap leftover batting scraps around the muslin sand bags to plump them a little.
Also, dried rice or beans would work...but I would roast them in the oven a while because I would worry about bugs getting in them....retired nurse fanatic about germs/bugs lol.

Margie

wvdek

Think I will try the crushed shells. Seems cheaper and easier to find.
Guess I was wondering, though, will the oils in the nuts that were in the shells, cause a problem with the needles?
Hopefully these are English walnuts because Black Walnut shells have a toxin in them that could prove harmful. Anyone know for sure?
Tx

kwhite

I have used sand and it does seem to hold the moisture in the air and rust the pins. I sew in the basement.

Skeat

Wow! That is a very good point! I have 3 that I use that have the 'play' sand...kid safe stuff you can buy at the discount store. I have to say, so far...I am good on that...but, will watch for it. I love the feel of sand and the way it sits right where I put it:)I have in that sewing room somewhere some walnut husks, crushed I think that I picked up awhile ago from our LQS. That feels like it will be good too.

stitchinMamaw

What about crushed potpourri ? I've used polyfil , ate the finish off both my needles and pins . I keep my pins in a little flavored butter container with a lid . There are so many cute patterns for puncushions :thumbup: Annie

May in Jersey

I received a little pincushion made by Alex Anderson when I attend one of her quilt retreats. She told us she uses crushed walnut shells in her pincushions. May in Jersey

unfinished business

I fill my pincoushions with the lead and shavings from a pencil sharpener. I use heavy material and stuff it with shavings