I've been in several pin cushion exchanges. I don't like batting....too light. They say sawdust molds (drats, as we have that). Personally, I like silica sand (bought at a lumber/Home Depot, etc. store). You get a 25 lb bag for $3. We use the leftover - tons of it - to put between the cracks on our brick pathway. I've used crushed walnut shells, too. They are pretty expensive. Oh, yes, I put a muslin outer shell around my sand to help keep it in. Have fun.