Victorian Pincushions- Sew News

Sewing Q&A

December 2003 Sewing Q&A Index
From Our December 2003 Issue

I want to make large, old-fashioned pincushions like Victorian ladies used to use. What was used for the filling that made them so heavy, and where can I find it?
Barbara A.,
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Pincushions were often filled with sawdust and wool roving. Emery was also used and is still used today in the little strawberries on traditional pincushions. Emery is the same material used on emery boards and fine sandpapers and is an abrasive material. When pins and needles are pushed into it, it smoothes their surfaces and helps to keep them rust-free. The lanolin in the wool roving also keeps the pins from rusting.

For sawdust you can saw a piece of wood and collect the shavings or visit your local lumber yard and ask if you can have some--it's best to let it dry out before adding it to the pincushion. Ask for wool roving at your local knit shop, or you can also use wool yarn. If you can't find emery at your hardware store, substitute a good grade of fine sand. Make an inner bag to hold the sand, wrap it with a layer of batting or fiberfill, then add the pincushion outer layer. sawdust, wool roving, sand

December 2003 Sewing Q&A Index

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