I'm getting my Christmas projects lined up and I found a tutorial for a cute sewing tool caddy with a removable pin cushion.

I'm trying to figure out what to stuff my pin cushion with. One of the tutorials mentioned that polyester fiberfill will ruin your pins and she stuffs her pin cushions with wool or cotton. I saw another that suggested putting some steel wool in it to keep pins sharp.

What do you stuff your homemade pin cushions with?

Does anyone use emery?

I use sand. It seems to work well.

Never heard that about polyester. But I wonder about steel wool rusting. I'll be watching to see what others suggest.

One of the teacup pincushions listed here several years ago called for steel wool, very fine, so it will sharpen the points as it glided through the metal. As other have suggested, sand and real sheep wool. The Lanolin would be great!

June in Cincinnati

One of the teacup pincushions listed here several years ago called for steel wool, very fine, so it will sharpen the points as it glided through the metal. As other have suggested, sand and real sheep wool. The Lanolin would be great!

June in Cincinnati

I did here about polyester,but it took years before i saw anything with my pins.I use sand.Connie in CO

I use raw wool.

I have used Poly for years with no problems but maybe I am just lucky or haven't noticed anything


Would you mind sharing a link to the tutorial you found i have been looking for something like that

I was not sure who you were requesting the tutorial from. here is this one. I am sure others have more.


http://www.everythingsewing.net/teacuppincushion.htm

June in Cincinnati

I use crushed walnut hulls. You can buy it at a pet supply store.

It depends on the pin cushion. I used a styrofoam ball (cut in half) to stuff my sunny side up egg pin cushion. I used fine sand for the pin cushion attached to my thread catcher. I used polypropalin(sp) beads for my log cabin chicken. I have used polyester fiberfill in pin cushion also.

I'm making one like CJomomma did but I'm using lavender from my garden to stuff it with. Have no idea how it will hold up but it may just work!

I have one made of raw wool that looks like a caramel roll that I got in Paducah some years ago and that thing is wonderful!

I'd use sand if you need weight to it, lamb's wool if you don't.

Yes, the poly fill will dull needles..it is poly...
steel wool is good, if covered in muslin, sos pads are better, the soap keeps the pins sharp and and does not rust or break down as fast as steel wool.
I just walnut shells and corn cob litters...in a little muslin bag..stitched closed, and then an sos pad on top of that, then my fabric...
IF you sell them and they have the SOS pads, or the walnut shells, you have to put a warning on them for those that have allergies!

This is what I used , also.

Sent you a PM with the link.

I think I will use a combination of wool, steel wool and crushed walnut shells. I don't want it to be too heavy.


Thanks for the help everyone. I really appreciate it.

Where do you find raw wool?

Know anyone with sheep? Or try a spinning and weaver's supply.

Thanks for the tip!

Be sure the wool has been washed (soaked not agitated) to remove the farm dirt and odors. It will retain some lanolin.

I have wool in roving [carded "strips" wound into a ball] and batts [carded "blankets"]. PM me. I'm not at the house right now. I'll be there in September.

I will be watching this post. I'm going to make some of these for Christmas. Hi Neighbor , I too am from Cinti!

Remnants of wool fabric can be used to make the pin cushion as well as the stuffing. Shred the stuffing by rotary cutting it. With wool on the outside as well as the inside. This method is especially useful in the tropics because it will keep the pins from rusting.

my mother always used wood shavings, my Dad worked in a wood shop.I still have 2 she made and use them daily.

When you say raw wool, is that the wool right off the
sheared sheep?

I have used sand before and it rusted my pins. It seemed to absorb the moisture from the air

I made cupcake pincushions (pattern from Keepsake)for my daughter's wedding shower and the pattern called for crushed walnut shells - found in pet stores. They are supposed to be good for your pins. A 7# bag filled over 30 pincushions. Plus they are weighted better. A little poly on the top made it "puffy". Every one loved them.

I read many years ago to cut up Nylon hose and use to fill your pin cusions, so I did and I have been using that same pin cushion now for over 35 years.
Never a rusted pin or needle. I make small ones for different pins, needles and etc. Try it you will like it.

I really have never used a pincushion- I tend to just put my pins on the table, so they can roll under the machine, or off onto the floor, or OUCH onto the chair when I get up to iron....... hmmm, perhaps a pincushion is a good idea!

One time i raided a red ant hill for the bigger bits of sand.

Friends who keep sheep. My wool is straight off the sheep - no washing, etc. :)

I have been using sa small amount of steel wool along with the fiberfil. Also I have heard of the sand, think I will try that one.
jaciqltznok, what type of sand is used? fine, course, aquarium, out of the yard?
can any kind of nut shell do? are they crushed up ? then added to the stuffing, or is that the stuffing itself?

Bird gravel,,,get it at Wally world ,works great adds weight and keeps the pins sharp...

I use left over batting. I save the slender side pieces and cute them up to use. Most of the pin cushions, I think, are made for display - not so much for actual use. I have my magnetic one I use. The others are fun for collecting.

I make a separate little bag that will fit inside my pincushion and fill that with crushed walnut shells (to give it a little weight), then I use whatever stuffing I have on hand whether it's cotton, wool or polyester. I'm curious as to why polyester dulls needles?

Be careful using sand. It rusted all my glass head pins

Wouldyou please send me the link also. Thanks.

my pincushion with by thread catcher has aquarian stones in them with batting. I didn't use the sand becuase I could just see the sand leaving puddles everywhere. My GD likes to push the pins allthe way down when I'm not looking.

I use those little scraps and threads after a sewing project. Just collect them in a baggy and save for later. :idea: