whiptips: forum questions
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dulcet asked this question at the forum
My son made me the funnest little pincushion for Christmas in his scout group. (Yes, it’s the kind only a mother could love.) He made it by covering a half-sphere of styrofoam with felt, then gluing it into a washed out tuna can. There were even new pins in it when he gave it to me, which I really needed. But I cringe every time I stick a pin back into it and hear that crunch. (Some of you may have cringed as soon as you read what it was made out of.) I’m sure the styrofoam isn’t conducive for the pins to maintain their sharpness. So, the question is–what are appropriate materials for pincusion filler? I’m sure it will be super easy to dissassemble and maintain the original oddity that I adore. Any suggestions?
February 4th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Sawdust. It has several advantages - it’ll keep your pins sharp and, when it gets tatty looking, you can empty it out, remove the pins and needles that ended up inside, and use it again.
February 4th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
wool is great and if you want to maintain the very round shape- although a half- round might be difficult- you can use a loosely rolled ball of yarn that you never want to see again.
February 4th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Sawdust, it keeps your pins really sharp!
February 4th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
If you want something with more heft than sawdust, but the same sharpening ability, emery sand. I got mine at a local lapidary… they can help you with getting the right grit (too fine and you end up with too much dust). A bit of polyfil or other batting around it helps give it a softer, smoother surface.
Sawdust can have bug issues depending on the species, so go for aromatic cedar or the like if you can get it. Again with the polyfil, which will also keep any oils from potentially staining the fabric.
February 4th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
sand……….you can put a light layer of fluff on top to give it that rounded look.
February 5th, 2008 at 12:54 am
I bought some packages of crushed walnut shells, really really fine grit, that my local fabric shop had specifically for filling pincushions.
February 5th, 2008 at 2:54 am
Your pincushion should be filled with cotton, sawdust or wool. The purpose of the pincushion is to store your pins, the purpose of the little strawberry that should be attached is for sharpening and is usually filled with emery. A wool (clean but otherwise not processed as yarn) filled pincushion also helps to keep your pins from rusting as the natural lanolin protects them. It is not reccomended to store your needles and pins in an emery filled piece. This is info I got from a woman who has sewn for many years and also makes FABULOUS character pincushions that she sells.
February 5th, 2008 at 7:45 am
I’ve never made a pincushion but I’ve heard you can use steel wool.
February 5th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
is there anything wrong with plain polyfill? obviously it wouldn’t sharpen the pins, but would it make them blunt?
February 17th, 2008 at 6:47 am
I’ve read that Victorians used dried rosemary for pin cushion filler, it somehow kept pins and needles sharp, while the scent discouraged bugs yet was pleasant for humans.