They are so cute. I suppose I am late in the game with this question, but where does the pattern come from?

rice???

You are just sew busy.....keep on rocking

Absolutely adorable! I use fiberfill or batting scraps in a pinch.

very cute i know a gal that uses kitty litter

In a pin cushion, over time if it is used, will go to powder.

Years ago I made the pin cushion that has the bag for small scraps on it. I am still using it and the pin cushion is filled with silica sand, you get it at what we used to call lumber yards now home improvement stores. They have it in bags can't remember but like 25 lb ones but they usually have one that broke open and will sell it to you by the lb. Can't remember but I bought a med sized paper sack full real cheap. I made a seperate pillow to put the sand in the same size as the outer one. It still works great and keeps my needles sharp and my pins to and the weight keeps it setting on the edge of my sewing cabinet with the bag hanging over. Can't remember for sure what the silica sand is usually used for but it may have been for a sand blaster.
Pattern I had reccomended it.

Really cute!

Google chicken pincushion.Connie in CO

They are so cute.