BINGO! ... my pin cushions are magnets! :)
(or a dish/tray)

I use fine sand. It works well and will mold around things it is need it to.

I like a reasonably heavy pin cushion so wouldn't use fiberfill, etc. I can't remember if I used walnut shells or lizard litter; both were recommended when I was taking a class...whatever it was came from the pet store.

Since then I've heard that silica gel (used for drying flowers) is good in pincushions. Have the stuff, but haven't used it yet.

A friend bought play sand at Lowe's and used it in her pin cushion...the kind that attaches to a scrap holder that sits beside your machine and hangs down in front of your table. That pin cushion needed to be reasonably heavy; she just used regular quilting-type cotton fabric.

Good luck!

I have sand in my pin cushion and it's great - so far. I like the weight and have an attached bag for thread etc. I just used a piece of muslin for the inner bag filled with sand and then covered in a pretty fabric to match the thread bag.

I use sand. I have never had a problem with sand "leaking" out, but I think doubling the fabric would solve that problem. I used playground sand. Maybe it has bigger grains of sand??

Dina

I bought some sand (think it was called emery sand) at a hardware store that folks add to paint so it isn't slippery. I thought it would be great as it kept the pins/needles sharp and had a good weight. However the sand tends to leave dust wherever it's placed. I could have used two layers of fabric, except these were small and would have been hard to turn. So I have no idea of the best thing to use.

I use crushed walnut shells. You get it at the pet store. It's called Lizzard Litter, found in the snake department. Supposed to keep your needles sharp. I found out about it on this site. Hopr this helps. Also, some people use a piece of steel wool..

I use either tightly packed polyfill or emery sand. Some of the old pincushions from 30s and 40s were packed tightly with either cotton or wool.

I use ground walnut shells that can be purchased in the pet stores. I have found they are popular ansd the pet stores sell out fast when they get a supply. Like them the best. Keep pins sharp.

I use emery. That is what will keep your pins and needles smooth and sharp. It can be purchased online. I can't remember which site. I have made many of them. I might have gotten it from the Bunny Hill website, but not sure anymore.