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My pins and needles really take a beating, and I’ve noticed that they’re all dulling a bit. So I thought I’d try to make a pincushion that’s also a sharpener.
This is based on those little strawberry-things that dangle from the tomato pincushions. They’re filled with metal filings, and you poke your pins into them to sharpen.
I didn’t have one of these, but I did have some grade 00 steel wool. So I made up a pincushion (the adorable design from Joelle Hoverson’s book) and put this together.
Steel wool comes in pads, so first, I unrolled one…
…And tore it up a bit. (Makes a huge mess, as you can see.)
Then I stuffed my pincushion with it. I got two pads in there, and then had to stop. I probably could have used a half-pad more, but:
…I got worried about how much my raw edges were fraying. (Next time, I’d put some Fray-Check on them before stuffing.) Also, I got worried that my fingerprints were wearing off.
Anyway, then I finished off the pincushion. Yeah, it’s a little wonky.
But, I’ve been testing pins and needles, and it works great! Just a few passes in and out, and they’re nice and sharp again. Cool!
Obviously, this pincushion is way too large for such a project, but I needed an excuse to make it. (You definitely do not want to store your pins or needles in a cushion like this – they can rust.) What would be perfect, though, is those bottle cap pincushions!
You are so flippin’ brilliant it HURTS! :)
You are so flippin’ brilliant it HURTS! :)
Very clever! You know I never knew the lil dangly thing was to sharpen pins….I thought it was decoration! You learn something new everyday!
Very clever! You know I never knew the lil dangly thing was to sharpen pins….I thought it was decoration! You learn something new everyday!
That’s totally RAD!
That’s totally RAD!
GREAT idea!
GREAT idea!
I was wondering, if you want a pin cushion that sharpens and won’t rust so that you could store them also, what about one stuffed tightly with aluminum foil? I know many crafters use aluminum foil to sharpen punches and scissors by cutting it a few times.
I was wondering, if you want a pin cushion that sharpens and won’t rust so that you could store them also, what about one stuffed tightly with aluminum foil? I know many crafters use aluminum foil to sharpen punches and scissors by cutting it a few times.
I get it.. and it’s COOL! :D
I get it.. and it’s COOL! :D
a-dorable.
a-dorable.
my mouth… is open… in admiration. i never knew that’s what the little strawberries were for! but those bottlecap pincushions totally take the cake. :)
my mouth… is open… in admiration. i never knew that’s what the little strawberries were for! but those bottlecap pincushions totally take the cake. :)
thank you! thank you! my tomato didn’t come with a strawberry and my pins are getting old and dull very fast. And I’m glad you said not to store them in there, because of course I would. Yay!
thank you! thank you! my tomato didn’t come with a strawberry and my pins are getting old and dull very fast. And I’m glad you said not to store them in there, because of course I would. Yay!
Ok I’m embarrassed to say that I never knew that is what the strawberry was for. (At least I’m not alone right?) Your idea rocks! Thanks for sharing. I am definitely going to try this one at home.
Ok I’m embarrassed to say that I never knew that is what the strawberry was for. (At least I’m not alone right?) Your idea rocks! Thanks for sharing. I am definitely going to try this one at home.
Thank you ! I might have a strawberry somewhere, if I could remember ! I made pincushions with carded wool inside so pins won’t rust, but I need another one to sharpen. Also, it would be great to have one sharpening and not rusting in one time, aluminium ? where could I find this ?
Thank you ! I might have a strawberry somewhere, if I could remember ! I made pincushions with carded wool inside so pins won’t rust, but I need another one to sharpen. Also, it would be great to have one sharpening and not rusting in one time, aluminium ? where could I find this ?
I want to think that some Victorian pincushions were filled with “brush combings” the hair you clean from your brush and save in a little box on your dresser — only in a Victorian home :) Anyway, I’m wondering if this would work — I know you can sharpen needles by running them through your hair.
I want to think that some Victorian pincushions were filled with “brush combings” the hair you clean from your brush and save in a little box on your dresser — only in a Victorian home :) Anyway, I’m wondering if this would work — I know you can sharpen needles by running them through your hair.
Diane, this just cheered me up so much. How pretty and how inventive. And I love the bottle cap idea. Over to Craftstylish now, to get more cheery.
Diane, this just cheered me up so much. How pretty and how inventive. And I love the bottle cap idea. Over to Craftstylish now, to get more cheery.
Yeah, I got it! ;)
I love your fabric choices. How brave you are to sacrifice your fingerprints in the name of craft!
Yeah, I got it! ;)
I love your fabric choices. How brave you are to sacrifice your fingerprints in the name of craft!
Yes, hair works – I gathered the clippings from a haircut into a pretty handkerchief, tied it up with a ribbon and got an immediate pin cushion that has worked very well at keeping pins and needles sharp and shiny. I was told it has something to do with the natural oils in the hair. Ah, those Victorians…..
Yes, hair works – I gathered the clippings from a haircut into a pretty handkerchief, tied it up with a ribbon and got an immediate pin cushion that has worked very well at keeping pins and needles sharp and shiny. I was told it has something to do with the natural oils in the hair. Ah, those Victorians…..
Well, aren’t you just the cleverest one around?! Your comment about rust has my mind jittering about…doesn’t someone make a scouring pad out of brass? Would that work? Hmmm….
Well, aren’t you just the cleverest one around?! Your comment about rust has my mind jittering about…doesn’t someone make a scouring pad out of brass? Would that work? Hmmm….
Such pretty fabrics, and the link to the embroidery ones are also so cute! I want to make those too!
Such pretty fabrics, and the link to the embroidery ones are also so cute! I want to make those too!
What a neat idea!! I so need to sharpen my pins. Love the design too!!
What a neat idea!! I so need to sharpen my pins. Love the design too!!
Wow! Thank you Diane. Cool idea and I didn’t know what use my strawberry had!
Wow! Thank you Diane. Cool idea and I didn’t know what use my strawberry had!
I’m so lucky to have stumbled upon your blog (from whipup)! Steel wool is brilliant! I’ve been wondering what I can use besides that sharpening “sand” that I hear is very expensive. Love it! **adding you to my bloglines** :-) Thanks!
I’m so lucky to have stumbled upon your blog (from whipup)! Steel wool is brilliant! I’ve been wondering what I can use besides that sharpening “sand” that I hear is very expensive. Love it! **adding you to my bloglines** :-) Thanks!
This is fantastic! (And fingerprints are over-rated…)
This is fantastic! (And fingerprints are over-rated…)
That is brilliant! Adding steel wool to my Lowe’s list…
That is brilliant! Adding steel wool to my Lowe’s list…
Great idea.
I like the warm and sunny fabrics you’ve selected.
I love how you always do such varied projects, you’re always game for something new.
Great idea.
I like the warm and sunny fabrics you’ve selected.
I love how you always do such varied projects, you’re always game for something new.
awesome!!
awesome!!
Brilliant! I am SO sharing this with my readers!
Denise
http://needlework.craftgossip.com
Brilliant! I am SO sharing this with my readers!
Denise
http://needlework.craftgossip.com