Has anyone used Alpaca Fiber to fill a pincushion? Do you have any pros & cons of using it? I just ordered some Alpaca Fiber and plan on making pincushions for my Mom, 2 sisters and myself for Christmas.

i have a pincushion with alpaca fiber filling- it was a gift- it is a lovely pin cushion i use all the time-seems like a pretty expensive way to go but i guess if you know where to get a deal on the fibers...sure makes a nice gift. i've used lots of alpaca fibers when felting- doing wool projects- but i tend to be rather (stingy) with it- because of it's cost.

I have one filled with Alpaca, according to the label. It's very nice and the pins glide instead of poke in it. I don't remember it being that expensive. I think the Alpaca filled will make a nicer pincushion for a gift then one filled with batting.

sprinkle in some lavender flowers

Has anyone tried the crushed walnut shells? I saw them at a quilt show but shied away because of the cost and weight.

My husband was at the sheep barn at the fair while they were giving the lambs a hair cut. He picked up all the wool from the cutting tables. He brought me two 60 gallon plastic tubs full! I put it in a pillow case and wash it in the washing machine. It makes great stuffing for pincushions and best of all.............it is free!!!

Raw wool is supposed to be a great pin cushion stuffing. Alpaca would be so soft. With all the different pin cushion fillings you only have to be careful of folks with allergies.

Lucky you. Enjoy.

I always use the crushed walnut shells, keeps my pins sharpened, and someone told me there are natural oils so they won't rust. Plus my pincushions stay put. I especially like it in my pincushions that have the little bag hanging from them, they don't fall off the edge of my table or arm of my chair.

I have only made a couple of utilitarian pin cushions so far. Used crushed walnut shells purchased from pet store. Made a shape and size to cover the gap between my machine and the cutout in the table...where pins were always dropping into. Worked well.