My pin's are starting to feel abit dull going into my fabric, how often do you change out your pins?

I have not notice the whole batch going out at once, but when the odd pin seems dull, I toss it and eventually have tp buy new ones. I use the small ones for applique and the long ones for holding things togther so maybe thats why mine seem to last a while.

Yeah Vicki I should do that also. They are not all dull, just a few here and there as I add to them, I'll just toss them as I go along. Do you ever wonder why some things have such a simple solution and you don't think of it! lol!

I really like my sawdust pincushion. Poly filled pincushions will dull your pins.

I love the look and charm of pincushions, but I use one of these for my pins:

http://www.save-on-crafts.com/grabmagpincu.html

I use those also, but I got mine from Joann Fabrics and Walmart. They are so much cheaper there. I probably have about 6 of them. I also have a metal dish type thing that I got at a tool sale. I guess it is used to hold bolts so you don't lose them. I got me two of them and now I have two magnetic "bowls" 6" in diameter.

I must add that I use them for more then just making quilts. I also do upholstery work so they are really in demand for me.

Barb

Thanks for the tips, I think I'll try to make me a few more pin cushions, I'll try them with sawdust!

what about magnets near computer sewing machines.... I have heard they can mess them up.... for that reason I have stayed away from magnetic pincushions.... It would be my luck I would be using one and forget and get it too close..... Does anybody know about this. Quilter 1234

I tend to toss my old pins when they get dull or bent. I tend to get an old pill bottle with the safety cap on them and fill it with all my old pins. When the bottle is filled, I can toss the bottle safely knowing the pins won't hurt anyone in the plastic pill bottle.

Loretta I made a couple of those pin cushions. I should take a photo of the one I kept for myself. I am really pleased how it turned out. I picked up some beautiful big latte cups at one of the dollar stores here and used cute sewing motif fabric for the cushion part.

I have the magnet one too. I love it, when I spill the pins they pick up so easily.

I have two magnetic dishes for pins. I have kept them about 4 to 6" from my machines and never had any problems.

I made a pincushion and filled it with sand from the beach, I discovered that it keeps my pins VERY sharp. Just make sure you sift the sand and put it in the microwave to get rid of any 'critters' that might be hiding in the sand. The weight of it has also comes in handy to hold down patterns.

Using sand, what a great idea! I am going to do that with my next pin cushion!

I also have 2 magnetic pin holders and love them. i do not have them dear my machine though.

I toss mine when they are dull.

I never toss. Always have a strawberry on hand. I made the latest one.

Mine go one at a time. When one gets too tough to play with, I toss it. Jim got me two new packages for Christmas of 2008, so I am set for a while.

I like the glass head pins and the flower head pins. They are super sharp. I toss one when it bends or gets dull because if I put it back it the bunch it will be the one I get every time.

Actually the magnet should not affect it if it is a couple of feet away. I know that is a long distance for your arm. But at least you can own one.

What a good idea - keeps everyone safe. I was told by my grandmother that if you put steel wool in a pin cushion it will keep the pins sharp - so I make my own with the steel wool, a scrap of batting over it, then one of my test quilt blocks. I rarely have a dull pin, just the occasional bent one.

I toss them out when my pins are bent or dull. I use an empty prescription bottle with a child proof cap to store the disposed ones until the bottle is full. Then I acan safely throw them away.

I do the same thing, course I have enough pill bottles for many. I also put my batteries in the pill bottles, here in our area there are laws about throwing pins and needles away loose. So I have always been careful.

I make my own pin cushions but I use sand in mine. I think it keeps them sharper than the sawdust and I don't seem to have to toss as many pins. But with the sand it's not so often and it pulls any moisture from my hands off the pins.

Hugs,
Sharon

I like my magnetic one too but I never thought of it being a problem for my sewing machine. I wonder how far away you should keep it from the machine....

I have magnetic pin trays with all my machines. The machines also have lexan extension tables. I have kept my trays at the end of the ex. table, (18" to 24") away and I've never had any trouble.