Pincushions are a must for quilters, sewers as well as those who love embroidery. Picking what to put inside the pincushion is pretty important so I thought I’d go over what you can use for the inside of the pincushion.
I am a lover of the pin cushion and don’t think that you really could have too many. After you pick out the pattern thought the next big decision is what’s going inside the pin cushion!
There are a few products that I use all the time. Polyfil is usually the one that hits the top of the list and is easy to find, use and works great for all pin cushions.
Beyond that thought there are a few other fun options. One of my favorite is crushed walnut shells…. oh how I love my shells. I even like the way it smells! (some can’t stand it, which is so funny to me!)
What is pin cushion used for?
A pincushion (or pin cushion) is a small, stuffed cushion, typically 2 inch to 6 inches across, which is used in sewing to store pins or needles with their heads protruding to take hold of them easily, collect them, and keep them organized.
What to stuff a Pincushion with–
Here is what I found:
1. crushed walnut shells (sold in pet shops as bedding for reptiles)(This is my all time favorite!!!)
2. fine bird gravel
3. sand, fine not coarse– this stuff is awesome!
4. wool roving (the natural lanolin is good for your pins and needles)
5. hair from your hairbrush (the natural oil in the hair is good for pins and needles)
6. yellow split peas or lentils
7. dryer lint
8. steel wool
9. bran from a pet shop mixed with lavender (bran has natural oils and lavender has a good scent)
10. water softener rock salt
11. bar of soap
12. polar fleece cut into tiny bits
13. smashed coffee beans
14. old ground coffee
15. pencil shavings
16. fine sawdust,— but not from pressure treated or exterior wood!
17. dry grass clippings
18. husks from oats, buckwheat or wheat
19. thread and fabric clippings
20. “raw” cotton
I have found with a few of these that they might need their own little container before putting them into the pincushion. Especially with the small grains– like the sand and sawdust or shavings.
They tend to sneak out of seams easily and will not make you happy.
How to make your pincushions not leak
Use a lining. As mentioned above, you will want to use a lining for small grained fillers like sand or even the walnut shavings.
Cut a lining the same size as the outside pieces required, and when you are sewing all your pieces together – you’ll add this extra layer.
Make sure you sew a little slower as there is more bulk now that you have added the new layer.
Keep your pincushions dry
Another thing is keeping them dry. You don’t want any of them to get wet or they will cause problems with your pins and needles.
Problems I’ve seen with wet pincushions – rusty needles, rusty pins. I’ve also seen some mold or smell coming from the pincushion that is not pleasant.
They do have a hard time drying out and may end up a little crusty or crunchy. So, avoid getting them wet if you are able to.
What can I put in my pin cushion to keep pins sharp?
Emery sand or crushed walnuts is a gritty sand that’s used inside some pin cushions or pin cushion accessories (like the strawberry on a tomato pin cushion). It helps keep your needles and pins sharp.
Just in case you are pincushion crazy like me…. here are a few you might want to give a try and make!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How should you place your pins in your pincushion?
Try to keep your needles pushed into the pincushion straight. This way they won’t bend as get crimped and are easy to get in and out.
How do you add weight to a pin cushion?
Fill the base of the pin cushion with a layer of rice. This will add weight. Add polyfill stuffing or any other filling you are using to firmly fill the pin cushion.
Where should pins be kept when not in use?
Keep work area neat, use pin cushion for pins and needles when not in use.
More Pincushion to make:
- Arm chair pincushion and sewing wrap
- Thimble pincushion
- Vintage Embroidery Pincushion
- Quilt block pin cushion
- Doily pincushion
Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
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I used rice in small chicken pin cushions for the weight and worked well with pins. Thank you for all the other ideas.
Have never made a pin cushion but have heard that steel wool sharpens needles.
For pincushion innards, I use ground walnut shells or rice to weight the bottom so that the pincushion doesn’t fall over, then pack with super-fine grade steel wool (0-3), and add a layer of batting on top of the steel wool. This general formula works for every size and shape pincushion I’ve ever made.
liz- great suggestions to mix them up for different purposes. the weight is a great thing to keep it from scooting all over!
I swear by felt. Plain acrylic felt works just fine. Holds the pins like a magnet so they don’t fall out.
what a great addition cherie– I hadn’t thought about that and how it works with the pins.
This is my first time visiting your site. Unfortunately I found it very difficult to read because if the intrusive sidebar ads.
Is there a way you could adjust st this?
I made a peacock pincushion where the tail feathers are removeable and can be used as pincushions or pattern weights. It’s held together with magnets.
Obviously you don’t live near the ocean or in a damp climate, much less one where codling moths are a problem! I make and sell and lot of pincushions in my shop on the Oregon Coast.
Crushed walnut shells grow nice little worms that will eat your fabric! *Please* add a caveat on this!
Hair from your hairbrush (the natural oil in the hair is *not* good for pins and needles) It is acidic and attacks the surface, causing pitting and roughness. Hair can be washed if you put it into a muslin cover that become the inner lining for your pincushion. Just run it through with the clothes and add a bit of lanolin to it before finishing your cushion.
Yellow split peas or lentils can attract mice, especially if something gets stored for a period of time.
Steel wool attacks the surface of any needle or pin that’s a different “blend”.
Water softener rock salt melts in a damp environment and will leave you with a puddle!
Old ground coffee is good once it is thoroughly dry. Dry in a dehydrator or oven on low temp. Who wants mildew?
Pencil shavings will get graphite onto your sewing.
Fine sawdust – My go-to on this is 1/2 and 1/2 sawdust and ground-up cedar fronds. Run through a wire strainer and then mix 1/2 and 1/2 with clean sand.
You didn’t mention emery or garnet sand! That’s easily available over the internet. A small emery needle cleaner (pincushion “strawberries”, anyone?) should be attached to your pincushions that are filled with cheaper materials.
I had made pincushions with walnut shells and had to get rid of them due to children with nut allergies. Be careful if selling those or them in a business.
I would be careful of the nuts or wheats for people with allergies