???Best most affordable filling for pincushions
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 323
I've done a little research on antique pin cushions. I've learned that some were stuffed with horse hair. So I asked my husband to bring in some when he trimmed one of the horses mane. I cleaned/shampooed this really good and aired it outdoors for a time and stufffed a pin cushion for a gift. Other than that I found a source for metal filings online and they came with a scrap of fabric much like swim suit fabric to make the pouch. I really like this as it keeps the pins sharp. It was a little pricy for a small cushion but I prefer small near my machine.
#42
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Horse Country, FL
Posts: 7,341
Walnut shells as pincushion stuffing can be extremely dangerous to people with nut allergies. Make absolutely sure the recipient will not be affected. The shells, since they are wood, also dull pins and needles, as does sawdust to a lesser degree.
This warning has been discussed before but was deemed a non-quilting topic, so it got moved. Take a look.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/general...e-t125678.html
The ideal 'weighty' stuffing is emery sand (available on etsy) or, if that's not possible, something else from the 'mineral' category (as opposed to either 'animal' or 'vegetable').
This warning has been discussed before but was deemed a non-quilting topic, so it got moved. Take a look.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/general...e-t125678.html
The ideal 'weighty' stuffing is emery sand (available on etsy) or, if that's not possible, something else from the 'mineral' category (as opposed to either 'animal' or 'vegetable').
#43
Thanks. I was about to buy walnut shells and hadn't thought about the allegy issue. I need to stuff 16 pincushions before December. I have one stuffed with plastic pellets, but it won't keep needles sharp. So if my choice is emery sand, steel wool, or BBs, which would keep needles/pins sharpest? Anyone tried them all?
Think like a carpenter. How do they sharpen their tools...with wood or with stone/metal? It's wood that dulls saws, chisels and other metal tools, so why wouldn't wood (sawdust, nut shells, etc) also dull pins and needles? Something to consider anyway.
Last edited by ghostrider; 08-18-2012 at 05:04 AM.
#45
#47
I agree with whomever said to make sure you issue a warning with any pincushion stuffed with walnut shells. There are a lot of people out there with nut allergies and the reaction is often quite severe. My DD has a nut allergy and would up in the emergency room from eating popcorn that had touched a cashew. SHe didn't know there were cashews in the bowl.
#48
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,536
Earlier this year I bought myself a buckwheat hull pillow after
using my hubs pillow last year for two weeks.
When I bought the pillow I also bought a 5 lb bag of buckwheat hulls
but have not tried them yet. I am hoping they will work as my pillow
weights 16 lbs.
using my hubs pillow last year for two weeks.
When I bought the pillow I also bought a 5 lb bag of buckwheat hulls
but have not tried them yet. I am hoping they will work as my pillow
weights 16 lbs.
#50
Most places that do sand blasting use a sand like product called "silica sand" it is glass beads, heavy equipment shops and large truck shops also use this product, if you were to take them a small container they may give you a couple of cups full, and also may charge you a small fee, but so worth a try, or ask a mechanic that you know - my husband worked in a truck shop, and that is how I know about it. I also have found it at "Michaels". I make an inside bag for my pincushions out of fine muslin to encase the silica sand and then put a pretty cover on the outside. Silica sand is washable, and also sharpens your pins and needles. Best of luck with your pincushions.
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