???Best most affordable filling for pincushions
 

Want to have something with a little weight. I know about crushed walnut shells and kity litter. Making these for a quilter's meet and greet and one gal is from FL so don't want to use rice for mold issues. Could I use pinto beans? They're really hard hard hard.

How about fish tank gravel inthe bttom and
Stuffing on top of that.

Sand is good and you can usually buy it at hardware stores.

I have also been seeking some answers...so thanks for posting. Walnut shells are expensive and a bit tricky to obtain here in Western Australia. I was hoping to buy some emery sand (like the strawberry pincusions have) but that's also been hard to source. My next step was to "The Bird and Fish Place" to see if they have any aquarium sand or gravel as Lynnie suggested. Will let you know how I go.

Earthwalker... forthe walut ssells, try a petstore or reptile store.

Thanks Lynnie....the Bird and Fish place also does reptiles so I will check that out.

Sand will leak through the fabric. Emery is what is in the strawberry on the pincushions, that's why some pincushions cost more then others. Old pincushions had sawdust packed solid in them. For weight I used a few glass marbles in the middle of poly stuffing. I read a post here to cut open old pincushions to find old sewing needles made years ago from the best quality steel. I had an old one I bought at a yard sale and it was full of needles inside! Strong sharp needles.

Shhhhhhhhhhhh I bet I wasn't supposed to see this but....I can keep a secret.
I use walnut shells and batting depending on the pattern.
I would think pinto beans would work too.
I'm not making pin cushions so you are safe with me. LOL.
See ya in September.. Hugs

Now I have found a use for all of the walnut shells that the squirrels leave empty for me in the back yard! I guess I would just bang them down with a hammer, right? I am also taking the whole green walnuts and putting them in water to make walnut stain.