Stuffus pinnius...

I know... I know... you've made the top for your pincushion.  Now what?  

I'll get to some non-pinnie pattern next week but in the meantime, I did promise to get to stuffing, filling and figuring out which is the best.

That's easy.  What sort of pincushion are you making?  

 

The first, last and most important thing to know here is that there isn't really a right answer.  At least I don't think there is.  How the finished pincushion is going to look and feel is very much a matter of personal preference.  While there are some things that will work best if you do things a specific way, even that has a degree of "what you like best".  

So the first thing to decide is this - do you want a light-weight pincushion or one with some weight and substance to it?  Or does that not matter to you?  Do you like a pincushion that is soft, or do you prefer a firm, relatively solid pincushion.  And what is the shape of your pincushion?  And is this pincushion something you actually intend to use, or is this something pretty that will sit on a shelf in your sewing room?  Your answer to each question will then factor into which filling you use and how much you use.  

Personally, I prefer a firm pincushion with some weight to it.  I admit it - I tend to be pulling or replacing pins without really paying attention.  I'm reaching in the general direction of where I think I last saw my pincushion without really looking at it to see what I'm doing.  So a pincushion that isn't going to slide around while I try to remove/insert the pin is a must.  With few exceptions, I want to be able to actually use my pincushions.  That doesn't mean that I actually do use them, I just want to know that I can.

So let me go through some of the options for stuffing - filling.

Stuffing / Fiberfill / Wadding.  This comes in cotton, polyester, and bamboo.  Wool roving, stuffing or batting bits can also be used though I don't see that done very often.  The benefits of the stuffing is that it can be stuffed into a point and it will hold that shape.  For any shaped pincushion, this kind of stuffing is the best to use.

My preferred stuffing is cotton stuffing - Sweet Dreams Cotton Stuffing.  I like the others and I've used them, but the cotton stuffing is my favorite because of the weight, feel and density of it.  I can move it around easily within the pincushion using my knitting needle or stuffing fork, and it will compact down fairly tightly.  I sometimes find the polyester and bamboo fiberfill a little springy - they bounce back at me - and I don't really like the silkiness of the fibers.  (That's simply a personal preference issue.)  I also prefer the feel of the cotton stuffing - it can be firm without being hard, soft without being springy.  

With very few exceptions, every single pincushion I make uses some amount of cotton stuffing. 

For this watermelon pincushion, the cotton stuffing is used to stuff the two ends, and then to fill in along the sides.  After I stuffed the points, I filled the pincushion with crushed walnut shells as much as possible, then filled in the spaces and gaps with stuffing.  The crushed walnut shells will keep settling so keeping a smooth edge and a fully-filled shape - especially along the seams - can be a challenge.  The final proportion of cotton stuffing to crushed walnut shells for these pincushions is about 50/50.   

This tetrahedron-shaped pincushion was filled/stuffed in much the same way.  There is cotton stuffing in the points and the rest is filled with crushed walnut shells.  

Whenever I use a combination of the two fillings, I like using the cotton stuffing to cover the loose shells while I'm trying to stitch the opening closed.  It is also a very good way to keep a tight, firm filling by adding little bits of stuffing as the opening is stitched closed - the stuffing is pushed in under the seam as it is being stitched closed.  

That is especially the case with round pincushions.  I think the biggest challenge with round pincushions is keeping them round.  Using the stuffing fork or knitting needle to place stuffing/fiberfill along the edges is a huge help in stuffing round pincushions.

Sand - Silica or Play Sand.  Sand is a very popular fill for pincushions - it gives a nice weight to the finished pincushion, it is easily found and not very expensive.  You can find both kinds of sand at hardware stores and home improvement stores like Home Depot.  The one caveat to consider is that in recent years, there has been a fair amount of literature warning against potential health hazards from both silica sand and play sand - from toxicity to respiratory issues that can arise from inhaling the fine dust that is part of the sand.

I don't use sand for the simple reason that I generally prefer the results I get from crushed walnut shells.  And I emphasize - the I get.  Other people have made pincushions that I consider "perfect" using sand - the issue is that I don't get those same results.  I find that in short order, the sand compacts down in a way that makes the pincushion a little softer and floppier than desired.  For me.  Only me.  

Crushed Walnut Shells.  This is what works best for me.  It's available from the pet store - e.g., PetsMart and Petco - and it is generally found in the bird or reptile section.  It is sold as cage litter  for birds and lizards, and a 7 lb. bag usually costs about $10.00.  A bag that size is enough for a whole lot of pincushions.  Twenty?  Probably.  I think I need to start keeping track.

This is the jar I keep in my workroom.  (The patchwork cow was a lovely gift.  She keeps me company.  She's got pink horns and hooves, of course she's a girl!)

This is what it looks like - it looks a bit like coarsely ground coffee.  I use the 1/2 cup measure to scoop the shells into the funnel - that is to get the shells into the opening of the pincushion.  A small baking sheet with sides - something like a quarter-sheet or jelly roll pan - is a terrific tray for filling.  Anything that falls out - and trust me, some will always fall out - is caught in the tray and easily put back in the jar.  

Because I like a firm pincushion, I fill and squash... fill and squash... until I've made a huge mess after spilling crushed walnut shells everywhere.  I'm kidding - mostly.  I have done that.  The point is that to get a really good firm fill, I do "pack" the shells a bit.  

I also fill the pincushion to the point that it's almost too full to stitch closed.  At that point, I hold it closed as best as possible and "test" the firmness.  It is going to "relax" down a tiny bit so having it a tiny bit too firm isn't a bad thing.  If you've used a felted wool backing for the pincushion, it will probably "relax" a little bit more.  Adding a little cotton stuffing as the opening is stitched closed will help keep the pincushion really firm - if that's what you prefer.  

The most important thing to remember here is that some will be a little more firm than you want them and some will be a little less firm.  Getting more consistent results will come with practice - you'll know how firm it needs to be before stitching it  closed to get it to finish the way you want.  The really good news is that whatever you do isn't permanent - you can always un-do the stitches to open the pincushion to add or remove some of the fill.  Been there, done that!  Several times.  

Lavender.  If you - or the recipient of the lovely gift you're making - loves lavender, adding a little bit to the fill is a terrific was to make a really unique pincushion.  I love the smell of lavender and one of my favorite pincushions has a little bit of lavender mixed into the crushed walnut shells.  The scent is very subtle - I didn't use much and the scent does dissipate a bit.  Dried lavender like this is fairly easy to find and not overly expensive so if you really love it, it really is a nice addition.  

For the pincushions I've made with lavender, I used about a 1:2 ration of lavender to shells - a generous 1/2 cup of lavender to 1 heaping cup of crushed walnut shells.  I mixed them in a bowl until the two were well-blended, then I filled the pincushion until I reached the desired firmness.  

Sawdust.  This isn't something new, most vintage pincushions are filled with sawdust.  If you know any woodworkers or carpenters, then you've probably got an easy source for sawdust.  If you don't have that kind of source, you should try your local lumber yard or Home Depot.  Dress nicely, fix your hair, put on some make-up and bring a bag, box or bin with you.    

It's like this, my local Home Depot said "no", citing all sorts of potential problems and liabilities while the Home Depot across town happily filled two bags for a friend.  A pretty, petite, blonde friend.  Rather that drive across town to get her to get my bins filled, I called a local woodworking shop.  They were wonderful - they generously filled fill two shoe-box size bins for me.  But they did warn me that some exotic woods contain oils and chemicals that can be poisonous to small children and animals.  (On a side note, calling a woodworking shop to ask if they have sawdust will go down as one of the funnier telephone conversations I've ever had.)    

This sawdust comes from a friend's husband - he likes to build things. 

Those pieces that look a little big really aren't - they're lightweight, fluffy and quite soft.  And truthfully, they look a little bigger in the picture than they do in real life.

The first challenge that comes with stuffing a pincushion with sawdust is actually getting the sawdust into the pincushion.  A regular funnel doesn't really work because the hole is too small and the light, fluffy sawdust just sits in the top of the funnel unless you push it down and through... which is made difficult by the small hole of a regular funnel.  I used a make-shift funnel I fashioned from a sheet of template plastic held together with tape.  I was able to scoop the sawdust into the top of the make-shift funnel and push it through the bigger opening.  The second challenge is that the light, fluffy sawdust has to be smooshed down to "pack" it in.  So the process is stuff and smoosh... stuff and smoosh... stuff and smoosh... stuff and smoosh... a lot.  It's time consuming and there came a point where I was sure it wasn't going to work.  

I also found that the shape was a little odd until it was firm and full.  That's when I found out that I could manipulate the shape relatively easily to make it square, firm and flat.

But the time and the extra work is definitely worth it.  

 

This is a pincushion I bought a few years ago from Stacy Nash, the gloriously talented primitive cross-stitcher.  

If you have a chance to use sawdust, I highly recommend it because the look and feel of the finished pincushion is unique.  Sawdust gives the pincushion a firmness and feel that is hard to describe - it is almost like it were a solid piece of dense foam or cork.  Except that it isn't hard.  While it isn't nearly as heavy as it would be filled with crushed walnut shells, it still has a very nice weight to it.  

This is the first pincushion I made with a sawdust filling.  After hearing from Stacy how she filled her pincushions, I was anxious to try the method so I cut down a needlepoint pillow that I knew I would never finish to make a pincushion.  I've since made three more pincushions with sawdust stuffing and I am a fan.

Emery.  While I don't use emery, it is a popular enough option that I feel it important to mention.  Emery is a fine sand made from grinding a very hard rock.  The sand is used as an abrasive material suitable for a variety of purposes - nail files, cleaning machinery,, etc.  While it can often be found fairly easily in large quantities, smaller quantities are available on eBay and Etsy as "pincushion supplies".  Depending on where you find it and who you purchase it from, it can sometimes be expensive.  The problem with emery is that it is not without some controversy among sewists and pincushion makers.

Emery has been around a long time.  Your first experience with it is probably the same as mine - it is what was used to fill the little strawberry that dangled from the large tomato pincushion.  The strawberry was filled with emery, the tomato was not.  And therein lies some of the problem.  Emery is promoted as a desirable pincushion fill because it sharpens the pins and needles.  The problem is that the pins and needles shouldn't be left to sit in the emery as it "can" corrode the plating, leaving a rough surface that can pull and snag the fabric.

Over the years, I have seen testimonials from people who claim to have used emery for years and year without every having a problem.  And I have seen equally convincing testimonials from people who have had all sorts of problems with corrosion, including snags, tears and ruined projects.  I have no doubt that the stories and experiences of both are true, and that there are many factors that probably affect whether or not I will have a problem with emery.As such, I have chosen not to use it.  Not because I believe it could be a problem but because there are so many easily available, more affordable stuffings that give me the results I am looking for.  

Everything else.  There are a few more stuffings that I've heard in my travels and research.  Rice.  Plastic pellets.  Fabric scraps.  Batting scraps.  Hair - like the kind you find in your brush.  I'll say it for you - ICK.

At this point, you know which stuffings I like and why.  

But there is one last thing to mention, it's about how much to stuff the pincushion.  Even if you like a firm pincushion, there are times when you want to leave a little bit of "squish" room.

If - when - I make another pincushion like this one, I won't fill it quite as firmly before closing it.  I'll leave it a little softer and squishier.  The more firm the pincushion, the less indentation there is when the perle cotton is cinched for sectioning.  The sections do show - and they show more in person than in this picture - they would show even more if I hadn't filled the pincushion quite as firmly.  Live and learn, right?

That's really the point of all this - the more pincushions you make, the easier it is to know how firm to make it to suit you.  Knowing which pincushions to make firm and which ones to make a little softer comes with practice and experience - and it isn't so much that you'll get better as you'll figure out what you like and how to get it to look that way.  The good news is that even if you have made the most incredibly special pincushion ever - E.V.E.R. - but then not been happy with how it was stuffed, you can re-do it.  Carefully remove the stitches closing the pincushion, empty the stuffing and start over.  It isn't like you've painted your great-grandmother's family heirloom dining room table orange.  You can have a do-over.

And/or you can make another one.     

I will babble on about pincushions one more time - a little bit about the whole sectioning thing and round pincushions.  

That's it for today though.  

Thank you very much for the birthday wishes - I appreciate it.  I had a very nice day - I didn't have to cook and I bought a Tiramisu Cake to celebrate.  (I couldn't decide what kind I wanted and I didn't want to bake one.)

Have a happy weekend!

 

Comments

[kathie]

thanks for the tutorials on making and stuffing info for pincushions I just may have to give a few a try now. A bit of shopping for the "correct" supplies and I will be good to go!
Love that cow too funny!
Happy Happy Birthday, sorry I missed the day...
Kathie

[gale]

I know a lot of people like to use walnut shells in pincushions. Please keep in mind that nut allergies are on the rise and with nuts, even contact can be a huge problem leading to reactions and even anaphylaxis. If you make something for someone that may be allergic and use the pins from one of these pincushions, it might be a good idea to give the item a good washing before sending it on. My daughter has a severe walnut allergy and I worry about this a lot. To the point that I have quit doing swaps altogether.

[Brenda]

I am learning so much about pin cushions! I can't wait to make one. Thanks for all the great information.

[Laura]

I use a combination of polyfil and doll pellets for weight. Most of the pincushions I make are for show. I prefer the big magnetic ones for my quilting. (My machine is not computerized).

[Ramona Chester]

I've used the walnut shells and think they are great, but my first try was way to squishy. I had not thought about combining in some cotton stuffing. I am sure emery was used back in the day when pins needed little rough edges smoothed off, but now it is to easy to just go out and buy some more pins if your old ones are getting rough.

[Sandy M]

Thank you so much for the info on pincushions. I recently made my first and it was a mess! I am ready to give it another go and I just might need to do a Morsel! LOL!

[Jocelyn]

Wow Carrie, great post! Now if I could only find some crushed walnut shells! Every time I've been to the pet store, they are sold out. Sounds like some quilters have absconded with the lot. I went to a different pet store recently, and they looked at me like I had two heads. I'll keep looking ;-) With all four eyes.

[Heartsdesire]

Thanks so much, Carrie for all the great information on stuffing a pincushion. I've tried the crushed walnuts and am a big fan. Would love to try the sawdust and have a friend who is into woodworking. I'm sure I could get him to save me some.

[Mary]

These have been very well-written, very informative posts. Thank you! The only thing I can add is a great reason for NOT using rice. It attracts mice and other bugs. As you said about using hair - ICK!

[Archie the wonder dog]

What a great post! I've also shied away from walnut shells as I have a friend with a bad allergy and if I make something for her I don't want to have to keep track of which pin cushion I've used. I don't know if it would affect her but I'm not about to put it to the test! I've used fabric scraps in the bottom of a pin cushion (with stuffing on the top two-thirds) to add weight and that worked quite well but I tend to stick to just stuffing, with the odd curtain weight added if the pin cushion is big but very light. As for the hair - yuck! I could save all the hair Archie moults and stuff a thousand pin cushions a year with it but it's still a grim idea, even if it's free!

[Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts]

Happy belated birthday! I learned so many things from this and your previous post! Thank you! I am slowly catching up on blog reading... Have a great a weekend!

[Mary ann]

I love pincushions. They are just the thing for special friends and when you want to sew but don't want to work on a UFO or start a new project. I like to mix up lavender and crushed walnut shells too and have learned through trial and error that bits of stuffing smooth the edges and make for a much nicer finished product. Now I am off to find the cotton stuffing, I have been using the odd bits from toys and pillows. Thank you Carrie for all the work and photos that have gone into these posts!

[Louise]

Belated birthday greetings from one Libra to another! My husband and I celebrated with ice cream cake. I have really enjoyed your posts on pin keeps . Most of the time I too use the crushed walnut shells, but have also used ground glass. It is a bit pricier but I like the feel of the finished product. Pin keeps make a perfect gift!

[Karen]

Thanks Carrie -- this is a great post! I've used the crushed walnuts before (purchased at the pet shop) - love the idea of the lavender!

Glad you enjoyed your birthday -- hopefully Polly and Sinta are still talking to you!

LOL!
Karen

[Lisa Vancor]

Thanks, Carrie. Now I know what the crushed walnut shells look like. I had some vision of, you know, walnut shells after you cracked them for cookies. I am off to Petco. I have been making pincushions for a long time and I like some sand in them for weight I have coppied a couple of yours and they are pretty cute.
Thanks again for all of your information.
Lisa of Northern California

[Linda P]

I never gave it a thought to add some lavendar - I adore that scent, probably from my grandma, so a memory scent - can't wait to try adding some. I'm the daught of a carpenter,so another scent - I alwasy loved the smell of fresh sawdust! Soooo is everyone you know getting a pinnie for Christmas?
Very Happy (belated) Birthday wishes!
Great post

[Thimbleanna]

I missed your birthday! (Probably due to the advancing age resulting from the birthday I just had, ahem.) I knew you must be a Libra LOL! What a great pincushion post -- I would have never thought to put lavendar in pincushions. I'm a cruched walnut shell kinda girl -- with a little stuffing on top if the pincushion is large to give it some weight but not too much. You have the more gorgeous pincushions!

[Bari Jo]

Happy Belated Birthday! THANK YOU so much for all the info on the pincushions! I have a watermelon one of yours that I purchased at a quilt shop while I was on vacation and I love it - I hope to make one of my own soon - now that I know the tricks!!!! Thanks for all the fun you share on your blog - and I am glad Rosie is doing good!

[Mdm Samm]

Happy belated first and foremost...always nice to know someone who also likes tiramisu as well.. Now I knew about the nutty filler but not sawdust...I like that idea a lot..thx for that...

[RuthWW]

The only time I made a pincushion was when I was in 4-H about 50 years ago. (That's scary!). We stuffed our pincushions with used/dried coffee grounds. They pack similarly to how you say walnut shells do. My mom made hams for tailoring into which she packed sawdust. She still owns them and they have remained firm for the same 50 years.

[Richelle]

You are so cool! I do not think I've read through anything like this before. So wonderful to find someone with some unique thoughts on this subject matter. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is required on the web, someone with some originality!