Out of all the sewing tools quilters use on a daily basis, pin cushions are among the cutest and most important! We’re willing to bet the first sewing pin cushion you ever laid eyes on was the traditional tomato pin cushion, an oh-so-cute quilting classic. If you knew almost nothing about sewing or quilting, you probably weren’t sure what this cute little cloth tomato was for or why it had sand (or maybe beads) in it. By now you might be a pin cushion pro, and you know the function of the almighty pin cushion is to organize and hold pins and needles, of course!
When it comes to traditional sewing pin cushions, like the tomato, they are usually stuffed with a filling that helps keep pins sharp and snug. There are actually several kinds of filling you can use! Some of the most popular pin cushion fillings include crushed walnut shells, plastic beads, or conventional cotton or polyester stuffing. But what is the best filling for pin cushions? Well, that depends on you! If you want your pins to stay nice and sharp, and your pin cushion to have a bit of weight so it’s not easily knocked off the sewing table, then crushed walnut shells or plastic beads are the way to go.
Some quilters might want to know what the absolute best pin cushion is, and again, it depends on the quilter’s preference! Plus, there are different kinds of sewing pin cushions and holders to explore so that you can find the one best for you. We carry several different types like wrist pin cushions, magnetic pin holders, and even needle minders!
What’s a magnetic pin cushion you ask? It’s simply a magnetic block or bowl that’s magnetized to hold sewing pins and needles. Most magnetic needle holders don’t come in a “cushion” form. Magnetic pin bowls are a popular pin holder nowadays, and we carry those as well! If you’re wondering about needle minders, don’t worry, we didn’t forget that one!
So, what exactly is a needle minder? It’s actually a cute, small, magnetized pin that clips to projects and holds onto sewing needles at the same time. For example, when you’re working on a cross stitch project and need to put your needle down for a moment, the needle minder holds your pin onto your project so you don’t misplace your needle. It quite literally “minds” your needle!
Still confused about how to use a magnetic needle minder? It’s totally easy! All you do is hold the base magnet to the front of your hooped embroidery project, place the other magnet on the back of your project so that it’s attached to the base magnet, and voila! There’s your needle minder, ready to keep track of your needles.