What is best for stuffing?

I agree. Many a vintage machine is ruined by "pin rash", as the owners had a piece of cloth pinned around the arm for pins to be stuck into as they were taken out of the sewn area. The machine body underneath gets all gouged up and ruined. Even with a backing, you are still going to miss your cushion sometimes, and hit your machine. Be prepared for "pin rash" around your pin cushion.

I keep a magnetic pin cushion (a dish, really) in that same area, on the table right in front of the tower, and just drop my pins onto it. It's fast, I don't have to look, and if I'm even close the magnet will pull the pins to it.

I can also wave it over the floor to pick up pins that have fallen.

Just made one in 10 minutes - THANKS!!!!

this is a neat idea!

Oh, please be careful. I have been told that magnetic on your electronic (computerized) sewing machine is not a good idea. Mine may have quit because I had one of those pin magnets on top of it. May be put it inside the cushion, but on the outside, facing us?
Cute idea too. I have one of those magnetic one for your wrist, but I am so small, the strap is so long... Now I have an idea to modify it.
THank you for the link.
Thuan

I really like this idea! Thanks so much for posting it and for all the follow-up suggestions to make it even better!

Irish Rose has the best idea about placing something inside to keep the pins from scratching. All in all, a great idea that I sure will make this weekend...one for each machine, custom made! Whoo hoo!

Thanks for the site.

Just what I need... thanks for sharing!

This doesn't have anything to do with pin cushions, but it is about pins. My husband presented me with a little deal he got at the auto parts store. It is only about 8 inches long with a magnet on the end, but you can pull it out to
several different lengths so you reallly don't have to get up from your chair to pick them up. Not very expensive.
I assume they were made for mechanics to retrieve screws,
washers, etc.