What do you use to stuff pin cushions
 

I am making a lot of pin cushions for a project and need cheap stuffing material. I have heard that crushed walnuts are good. Is there a cheaper source besides a quilt shop?

You can get that at a pet store. They are use to line bird cages

When I found the crushed walnuts at a pet store it was in the amphibian department. When I called the store to ask about crushed walnuts whoever I spoke to did not have a clue about it but I decided to go look for myself and found it there for lizards, etc. It only came in a 10lb bag so if you are making multiples that should work for you.

I also found the ground walnuts in the lizard section of a pet shop.

you can use sand also

Is it ground walnuts or the shells ground?

It is ground walnut shells.

Just make sure none of the recipients have nut allergies.

I got in a mood last year and made a ton of pincushions and all of them with walnut shells. I really like the weight of them. But as someone else said you need to be careful and put a warning label with them as nut allergies can be deadly. Literally. I was lucky enough to find a 10 quart bag on sale on amazon for $8!!

I've used rice, nice weight and readily available.

I use rice. Sometimes the sand escapes through the seam and afraid of upsetting a nut allergy I don't use walnut shells. I haven't heard of anyone with a rice allergy and they are large enough not to escape.

You can also use clean play sand.

Wool makes a good stuffing because the lanolin discourages rusting. Rotary cut old wool garments into quarter inch or smaller strips.

I use sawdust {old vintage PCs are filled with it} and used, dried coffee and tea grounds.

You can use silica sand also. It sharpens your pins every time you push them in the pin cushion. You can find it at auto supply stores. It is used for sandblasting and then you wouldn't have to worry about nut allergies.

I was at a craft show yesterday and there was a table with nothing but pincushions. All of them were filled with crushed walnuts. There was a sign posted that said : Maybe a danger to anyone allergic to nuts. One customer said the sign was insulting to nut allergy people and made a little scene about it. Wanted it taken down. ? The vendor said well I know one nut I'm allergic too after the customer walked away. LOL

Insulting? It could literally be life saving, not to mention possible legal issues from not disclosing. Agree about the real nut here.

Yes it is ground walnut shells, not the walnuts. I am afraid walnuts would seep oil and turn rancid and stinky over time. I also have heard of folks using sand and steel wool in pincushions too.

It is a huge bags of walnuts that my friend bought at one of the major pet stores. See if there are any friends that would like to divide the bag up.

I knew this board would have the answers. Thank you so much!!!!!

I bought emery sand it was about $4.00 per pound, but sadly I don't
remember what the website was.

You can get a HUGE bag of crushed walnut shells for under $10, at the feed store. I got 25 pounds for under $10.

Harbor freight sells a box of crushed walnut shells.

As the DH "polishes" his brass, he has a HUGE bag of corn cob media for his tumbler. Recently, I used this to fill several pincushions. Worked fantastically, is less expensive than the walnut shells and it removes the nut allergy issue.

Shavings from pencil sharpener if you old enough to still have one:thumbup:

I got emery sand from eBay. It sharpens the needles.

Same for me. Had to go look and find it myself. Had to buy a 10 lb bag.

I use either super fine steel wool or crushed walnut shells. I only use them myself or gift them to family so no worries about allergies.

The last ones that I made, I used kitty litter. Yes, kitty litter, but get a good brand, I think mine was Scoop Away. The weight was good and the abrasiveness is supposed to keep pins sharp, much like the sand idea.

The cat
Otter my cat likes is made from ground corn cobs, would that work for pin cushions?

I only ever use steel wool from the hardware store , it is sold here in big hank for French polishing timber fine grade, don't have to worry about nut allergies keeps my pins sharp and clean if I happen to get glue on them , I have had one pin cushion for over 25 years and it is still going strong .

Good idea!!

The rice and the steel wool!!
Good ideas ladies!

I have seen many recommendations in various quilting discussions. I caution against using tree nut shells ground or otherwise. Even the dust from nut shells can put someone into a severe asthmatic crisis or anaphylaxis. You never know if a person with severe allergies will come in contact with the pincushion. Just picking up the pincushion can cause an allergic reaction. Ok so much for my soap box. I use 4-0 steel wool, inexpensive at the hardware store. I wrap the wool with batting so the pincushion remains soft. The steel wool sharpens pins and needles, so having it in the middle is sufficient.

The pincushion I had that had sand in it, the sand kept eking out like fine dust. I cut it open and it was lined with muslin but the sand still eked out.

I have pincushion that was gifted from neighbor. Heavy with steel wool and "bb" pellets for the weight. Really heavy and doesn't move.

I love the steel wool suggestions, I recently tried using fusible fleece to back my pincushion pieces and find it gives a much smoother finish. This would also give some buffer between steel wool and the fabric, going to have to try it soon. Also like the BBs as weight! Love all the great ideas that are shared here!

what to use to stuff pin cushion...
 

Lots of good ideas already listed. My Aunt made me a pin cushion when I was not very old, and she used hair clippings. That has always been my favorite!! Nice and firm, and great memories of her as my Mom's sister.
Mariah

BBs are a great idea.

I put dried beans in the bottom of mine for weight and use the steel wool from the hardware store. I wrap it all in scraps of my ugly fabric then put the pretty fabric on it.