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Post by flanz on Jan 18, 2020 2:34:30 GMT
Any tips?
I am going to a pincushion swap tomorrow, part of the postponed holiday party for my local Modern Quilt Guild.
I have made a rectangular pincushion, after first piecing and quilting the front, and quilting the solid fabric back piece. I left a 2 inch opening at one narrow end. It was a bit of a challenge "birthing" this baby, but I got it done. I'm going to have to hand stitich the opening closed. Wondering how to best do this to have the pincushion as full/firm as possible. Any tips most appreciated!
And wish me luck. My hand strength isn't great, I've got thick fabric to sew through.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jan 18, 2020 5:06:24 GMT
I have made pincushions with crushed walnut shells before. They have a good weight to them when finished, so they don't slip around on the table while using them. Definitely messy to fill, so I recommend doing it over a dishpan or empty box. If you use a funnel, make sure the hole in the spout isn't too tiny or you will spend a lot of time with a chopstick pushing the shells through the hole. BTDT.
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Post by nlwilkins on Jan 18, 2020 5:11:58 GMT
When I have done this I stuffed a inner bag with the walnut shells and stitched it closed with a sewing machine. Then it went inside the pin cushion. The walnut shells otherwise would escape through the hand stitches. The inner bag did not have to be turned inside out to hide the seam since it was inside.
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Post by flanz on Jan 18, 2020 6:05:10 GMT
When I have done this I stuffed a inner bag with the walnut shells and stitched it closed with a sewing machine. Then it went inside the pin cushion. The walnut shells otherwise would escape through the hand stitches. The inner bag did not have to be turned inside out to hide the seam since it was inside. Too late for me now, but that would have been a great idea! I'm going to have to try to make the hand stitches REALLY close together and go over back and forth, I guess. |
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Post by gale w on Jan 18, 2020 7:30:36 GMT
I've heard of this in a lot of sewing groups. I've never done it (my daughter's worst allergy is to walnut) but I can't imagine how it doesn't actually dull needles. Wouldn't it be like pushing them through wood chips, sort of? Walnut shell pincushion filling is the reason I stopped doing all sewing related swaps and rarely shop at any small b&m quilt stores.
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Post by gillyp on Jan 18, 2020 8:19:42 GMT
I've heard of this in a lot of sewing groups. I've never done it (my daughter's worst allergy is to walnut) but I can't imagine how it doesn't actually dull needles. Wouldn't it be like pushing them through wood chips, sort of? Walnut shell pincushion filling is the reason I stopped doing all sewing related swaps and rarely shop at any small b&m quilt stores. Didn’t pin cushions used to be filled with sawdust years ago? I suppose walnut shells are more readily available and considered cleaner but I’d not considered the allergy aspect. I have an unopened box of walnut shells and lavender which I bought to make two pincushions that I was going to hand sew. It smells smells lovely but your remark about allergies is making me think twice. Who knows who in future might handle them without knowing? |
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Post by gale w on Jan 18, 2020 9:18:27 GMT
I haven't looked closely at them but I pictured it being more chunky than sawdust.
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Post by phoenixcov on Jan 18, 2020 10:42:25 GMT
I seal the opening with a small amount of fabric glue before ladder stitching the opening closed. The inner bag is a good idea for future use. Sand is a useful filling as it keeps the needle tips sharp.
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Post by flanz on Jan 18, 2020 16:58:52 GMT
I've heard of this in a lot of sewing groups. I've never done it (my daughter's worst allergy is to walnut) but I can't imagine how it doesn't actually dull needles. Wouldn't it be like pushing them through wood chips, sort of? Walnut shell pincushion filling is the reason I stopped doing all sewing related swaps and rarely shop at any small b&m quilt stores. Thanks for this important point to consider! |
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Post by flanz on Jan 18, 2020 16:59:29 GMT
I seal the opening with a small amount of fabric glue before ladder stitching the opening closed. The inner bag is a good idea for future use. Sand is a useful filling as it keeps the needle tips sharp. GENIUS! Thanks! |
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Post by craftedbys on Jan 18, 2020 18:17:47 GMT
Has anyone ever filled a pin cushion with steel wool? I was reading a random quilting blog that said steel wool would sharpen the pins every time they were stuck in.
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Post by phoenixcov on Jan 18, 2020 20:09:16 GMT
It does work craftedbys but it makes a sound and feeling somewhat like scraping polystyrene, makes me shudder. I used to make dozens of different pin cushions for craft fairs years ago.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jan 18, 2020 21:11:47 GMT
Has anyone ever filled a pin cushion with steel wool? I was reading a random quilting blog that said steel wool would sharpen the pins every time they were stuck in. Instead of using steel wool, I'd recommend using emery filling instead. It is made from fine metal shavings and will sharpen pins & needles, without the annoying noise that steel wool makes. Emery is what is in the little strawberry that hangs from pincushions. I haven't looked closely at them but I pictured it being more chunky than sawdust. The one I use is a very fine grind, much like the emery would be. There are many grades of Walnut Shells for varying uses. |
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Post by roundtwo on Jan 18, 2020 21:20:32 GMT
I also use sand and an inner lining in my pincushions. I know you said it is too late for this round but would it be possible to stitch up a liner and insert it into the finished outer layer and then sew it closed before sewing the outer layer closed? It would be quite finicky I'm guessing, depending on how big the pincushion is. craftedbys, someone somewhere (maybe a quilting board?) mentioned that a drawback to the steel wool as an insert is the chance of it getting wet and then rusting. I am not sure if that is a thing that happens to many people - I am klutzy enough that I don't risk liquids near my sewing projects so I would never have that problem.
And since I am in the midst of making another one of these, I thought I would share a link to a mini maker station - it has a really cute little pincushion (and the pattern is free!). |
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Post by gale w on Jan 18, 2020 21:59:47 GMT
I've seen emery powder sold on Etsy. I need to make a few pincushions to keep around my sewing area but I'll just use polyfil, probably.
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