I guess I misunderstood the "steek wool.needle sharpener" idea..I thought u just held the bag in your hand ran your needle thru it, as if sewing but with out thread..... I never would have thought to put it under the presser foot of my machine and run the needle thru that way....

yep, I made my first one for my mom in GS when I was 10! She still has it...only changes the SOS pad once a year on Mother's day! she also replaced the denim top with silk..makes the pins slide in and out easier she says.heheheh

What about "sewing through" fine sandpaper without the machine threaded. Will this damage the bobbin casing area?

I've used this technique before, not on a daily basis, but used it at least once a year.

That's another quick trick for an emergency back up that I use if I'm out of sewing machine needles for that day.

if that sand gets into the bobbin race it can cause it to freeze up...

I've seen this hint many times over the years. As long as you clean the bobbin area afterward you should be fine.

You're right, and keeping it oiled as needed.
I'd rather use the sandpaper, not sure on that steel wool.

instead of sandpaper, at the hardware store look for EMERY cloth...it is in the same dept and you can buy by the sheet!
it is black and contains the same emery powder that used to fill the strawberry needle emerys! I would also put a piece of cloth over and under it just in case!

Thanks for the tips Jacqui!

Or you could fancy it up ... and do the tea cup and saucer pin cushions!

Those are cute! i made some for gifts a few years ago. I hunted aound goodwill till i found pretty matching ones.