leonnie

human hair with your filling, it keeps your needles sharp.

carolynjo

Ditto to the advice above: Use clean, washed (already done when you buy it) sandbox sand at Home Depot or Lowe's, etc.. Make an inner bag of tightly woven fabric and then make your pin cushion. It should not leak and the silica should sharpen your pins and needles as you use it.

Ioftheneedle

I have done a little research on old pincushions. I've found in the old days horse hair was used a lot. I asked my husband to collect some for me when he trimmed his horses mane. I used shampoo and dried and aired outdoors then stuffed a pin cushion for a gift to a friend. I have found a place online to order metal filings. These came with a swatch of fabric somewhat like swim suite fabric to hold the filings. After that use the fabric of your choice. This worked well for me and the filings keeps the pins/needles sharp. A fabric like swim suite would also hold the sand without leaking also I would imagine.

quiltbuddy

I have thought about this before and was thinking about putting my leftover cotton batting in the blender with water, maybe let it soak and then blend, squeeze out the liquid and dry in sun or bag in dryer. I would then tease apart, pack and use. Has anyone tried to do this?

Ioftheneedle

Julie- Do you have a horse?

I have done a little research on old pincushions after visiting with a lady that has a wonderful antique store. She had this awsome pin cushion that was about the size of a brick. This sparked my curiousity. In the old days it was common to use horse hair in them she said. I think the one in the store was weighted with something then stuffed.
I asked my husband to collect some horse hair when he clipped his horses mane then I shampooed, dried, aired, then used to stuff a pin cushion.

My favorite is one I made from metal filings ordered online. These came with a swatch of fabric somewhat like swim suite fabric. This fabric contains the filings so they don't leak out. I think the same would work for sand.
After filling the 'lining' with the filings then make the outside pin cushion to your liking.

I like the variety of questions and answers we find on this board.

Ioftheneedle

Sorry, I didn't mean to double post.

Jeandrig

Duh! I hadn't thought to cut up old pincushions. I have bought a few of the tomato pin cushions and my needles and pins rusted in them. Don't know what it was made out of.

Farm Quilter

Sand is free at the beach!!! I made myself a pin cushion/trash bag and used the beautiful sand from the Icicle River...the sand sharpens the points every time I shove a pin in.

Peckish

Whoops, be careful. Removing sand from beaches is illegal in some areas.... you could always pack it home in your shorts and sandals, I guess.

gmaybee

I use ground walnut shells. It's real finely ground I buy a 10 lb. bag at the pet supply store that is used for reptile cages. (About $10.00) I sometimes get it half price when they have it on sale. I make a liner for the inside of my pin cushions out of muslin and pack the ground shell in that then insert in the pin cushion. I made a bunch for a meet and greet last year. I do warn people they are filled with walnut shells, incase of nut allergies. Although people shouldn't put their pins in their mouths anytime, even after being in the pin cushions. This also has a little weight to it so I don't need to add anything else.