meanmom

I would not use walnut shells. My DD is severely allergic to walnuts. I am afraid to let her touch my pincushion someone gave me that is full of walnut shells.

Pete

Believe it or not - I have a friend allergic to corn!!!

gramquilter2

I always try to find wool and that seems to be good for pins.

QuiltnLady1

I have used wool roving and have also collected my hair when it has been cut to put into pin cushions. I will make a pocket in the bottom and put some rice in there for weight and sew the pocket closed but I have never used rice in the whole pincushion. I stay away from the walnut shells because DGS is allergic.

QultingaddictUK

There are so many stuffings you can use but the next ones that I make I am going to use wire wool, https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/337981147008990276/ looks so good and of course will keep the pins clean and help keeping them sharp. A very cheap product to buy from DIY shops, just a tip tho' don't let it get wet it will rust!

katydidkg

Crushed walnut shells work best for me. I've found them in the pet dept at a Super Walmart. I use a small funnel to fill the pincushions. I've also tried sand, but the sand and it's dust silts thru the seams and fabric.

zozee

Can I be the naive one and ask why not stuff them with tiny bits of scrap fabric? I made two pincushions like that almost 4 years ago. The weight is great and my pins (also 4 years old) are still so sharp they make me scream!

carolynjo

I have used clean sand in mine and it worked well. It gave added weight to the pin cushion.

Aurora

I use the floral sand from WalMart. I also use a heavyweight muslin that is woven very tightly to hold the sand.

Jeanette Frantz

I haven't made any pincushions yet, but that is something I really want to do. I would be very careful what I use to stuff the pincushions, though. Those who are allergic to nuts (of any kind) have severe reactions to even touching something that has come into contact with nuts. These reactions are very serious and can result in death. Therefore, I would NEVER use walnut shells (ground or otherwise) in pincushions. If you make pincushions and give them away, please be sure that you issue warnings. I am asthmatic (adult onset in 1991). I've dealt with asthma for many years, but I recently had an asthma attack that scared the bejabbers out of me -- I was alone at 10:00 p.m. I almost panicked, but my emergency inhaler stopped the attack very quickly, thank God!