Ruth Camp has started a 3" fabric swap. If you want to participate, you can Private Message others on the forum and get addresses.

This will be my first fabric swap, so it's exciting to see who answers my PMs and wants to swap with me.

Look up the page called "Swap 3" fabric" to get more names you can send to.

I have a stash of woolen fabric which I use to braid rugs (but not in the summer). One of my pincushions is 2" wide strips of wool rolled into a roll held together at the end with a safety pin. The nice thing about the wool is that the pins and needles will not rust owing to the lanolin in the wool. Suz

My pin cushion was a gift and I immediately threw out my tomato as I loved it so much. And it's super easy.

Make a quilt block of your choice as big as you want you pin cushion to be plus enough for the seams. Mine is a beautiful log cabin on the front with matching solid on the back. Sew on 3 sides. Stuff full of batting or polyfill or whatever. Handsew shut.

I like it because it's so big I never lose it. It fits right into my sewing cases. I also like it because it's not as stiff as a tomato. My hands are kinda messed up so I have to grab the tomato with one hand and pull out the pin with the other. This one I can just use one hand and that way I can use my other one to hold together whatever I am pinning.

Just a suggestion, I don't know if it would work for your needs or not.

Here's another idea for a pincushion that I learned in my beginning quilting class.


Go to a large discount store or auto supply type place and buy a magnetic parts dish. A round metal saucer, about 4" diameter with a magnet. The pins stick to it so I just toss them in the direction as I sew and there they stay. I keep mine next to my machine. love it

Bonus- if you drop pins, the dish picks them up :D

Not expensive- less than $5

Indigo Junction has wonderful patterns for large pincushions. They're made out of felt (my current fascination). They have patterns for fruits, vegetables and flowers. I'm sure you'll find them pretty and easy to make up. Just look up their website. Have Fun!
Louise

Thanks. That is a GREAT idea. That way it can be beautiful as well as functional. I'll give it a try.

Brenda

I saw someone in a class with one of those bowls. I wasn't close enough to talk to her and wondered how it worked. Thanks for a great idea.

Brenda

Thanks. I'll take a look. :D

sounds good. - it's on the machine but it's not magnetic. Did you know not to put a magnetic pin catcher stuck to the new computer machines? It screws up the computerized system. I don't know if just having it close in the magnetic dish would do the same.

I do believe that if you have the magnetic one just close to the machine it'll mess up the computer system. Anything with a computer system in it needs to stay far, far away from a magnet.

What we've done is make one block of anyone's choice. Pinwheel, 9 patch, log cabin, whatever; fill it with polyfil or spare batting, and put a backing on it. Stuff it full enough and you have a lovely little "pillow" for pins. I have them all over the place. One by the machine, one at the cutting board, and one that floats with me to put pins in and take out when I need them. I just love the little things!