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.