I just checked on Pinterest and OH MY wait til you look at all the Pincushions and Thimbles etc on there... I found a cute little Sheep and a group of owls Pincushions + hundreds More... love the one in the Green Tea Cup... a little Scenic one...

I really prefer a magnetic pin dish because it keeps the pins in one spot. I do use a tomato pin cushion for my sewing machine needles. I use the divisions of the pincushion to write the needle size of used needles. Then, when I change needles I can get the right one easily. I have a few decorative pin cushions because they are fun to have. There are so many cute ones to make.

So many great ideas! I agree that walnut shells should not be used if you have any mice in your sewing place. My husband used it on his model railroad and it attracted the little critters who made a real mess. Apparently they retain a smell even when they are treated. And do keep magnets away from computerized machines. I love the Harbor Freight bowls but they really have a strong pull to them. Someone I know put one of those magnetized things with little metal bits to play with on her puter monitor at work and it fried it.

I took a left over block, with another piece same size right sides together, sewed it then turned it right side out leaving a hole big enough for stuffing it with poly and the sewed the hole shut. Sewed a button in the center from top through the bottom creating puffy outside edge and then glued a piece of cardboard on the bottom to keep pins from going through. Works great and very portable. Hope this makes sense since I haven't got the picture download conquered yet.

perfect pincushion
 

The larger the better ! I made mine using hexagons, it is very large so even if I'm only just aiming for it I rarely miss.It is also useful when you are piecing with a pal.I dont like using the magnetic trays,they can harm some machines.Letty

I have one I made with a squat canning jar, material stuffing and cardboard. Big plus is you can store pins in the bottom and it is not tippy and heavy enough to stay put. [ATTACH=CONFIG]517253[/ATTACH] Very easy to make, and if anyone wants directions PM me.

I use a piece of the rubber mat that you put under throw rugs to hold mine in place next to my machine so it doesn't slide around so easily.

Hi - sorry to derail the thread, but if you want help with managing photos using Windows 8.1, feel free to send me a private message and maybe I can walk you through it. I'm having trouble understanding why that would prevent you from uploading a photo (I've been using Windows 8.1 since it was launched). Just thought I'd offer.

There are some really great pincushions here! I like to have mine handy wherever I am, so this is my choice. It hangs around my neck. Although I've been known to wear it to the store. LOL I purchased a couple at a craft show and then made this one myself as a gift for a friend.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2...ps848e10a4.jpg

The magnetic bowl keeps all the pins in one wad, at least the one I bought at HF. The Clover magnetic pin cushion keeps the pins aligned in one direction with a gap so picking up one pin or a lot of pins is easy. I never get stuck. I won't use a pin cushion that the pins will poke out the bottom. The Fons and Porter's big round pin cushion is really nice.