Tuesday 14 June 2016

Plus: A Pincushion


I noticed recently that my pins were getting blunt and you know what happens then – you put it back in the pin container and pick up a new sharper one. And then the next pin you pick up is that same pesky blunt one you picked up before. So blunt pins – is there a way to sharpen them? Off to ask Google.

There are pincushions about that are filled with metal filings that will sharpen your pins and I found a tutorial to make a pin sharpening pincushion using steel wool. Problem was I couldn’t find any steel wool without soap. The next best option seemed to be to use crushed walnut shells as a filling. Internet wisdom is that you can buy this at pet shops but no pet shop near here had any and seemed surprised to be asked. Back to Google and a search on-line settling on Aussie BBQ Smoke. I’m now the proud owner of a 1kg bag of crushed walnut shells!


Did you know that Perth is the third windiest capital city in the world? So says Life on Perth anyway. And wind means dust, especially in summer, so a pincushion needs to be washable. I decided to make a pincushion insert, just like a normal everyday cushion insert with a couple of interchangeable covers. I made two covers from the scraps of the Bravery Plus quilt, using an envelope back to keep it simple. And do they sharpen pins? So far so good. J


Linking with Scraptastic Tuesday


Scraptastic Tuesday

9 comments:

  1. I have some of those crushed walnuts but haven't made the pincushion yet - must add it to my list! Love yours and thanks for linking up to #scraptastictuesday!

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  2. I will have to put this on a to do list. I hadn't really thought about if there was a way to sharpen pins...no I know. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Love your pincushion. I have asked all my local pet shops and they had never heard of it either. I'm off to ask Nicky now where she got hers from in the UK!

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  4. What a cute pin cushion! I hadn't heard of steel wool to help sharpen. You can usually find it with the painting supplies!

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  5. Oh I just love your plus pin cushion!! Such a cute idea!

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  6. Lovely little pincushion. I wish we lived closer then I could split a bag with you. I could do with some walnut shells or steel wool but Ive been having problems finding them in the UK too. Black emery sand is supposed to be the best stuff but have you seen the price?

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  7. Although I use the walnut shells, I was not aware that they help sharpen the pins. You might try the paint section of your hardware store for plain steel wool, that is where I usually purchase it when I am stripping furniture. You will find all weights of it...do you know which weight is recommended?

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  8. I bought my walnut shells from the lizard and snake specialist pet shop in Baldivis. I even got to pet a snake! It was a long way to drive, but I had a friend to visit on the way, and one bag has lasted me ages.

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