Dear Sally and those interested, New Year's Resolution: Make a pincushion for a friend? Quite some time ago, I wrote a memo comparing my large old tomato pincushion with small new tomato pincushions. A simple Arachne archive search did not find it, so maybe the subject line was different. I don't want to look at the over 1,500 memos in our archives that are filed under my name, so will write again. I had bought 2 of the new tomato pincushions from A.C. Moore, a craft store chain that has many products made in China. As a trained textile conservator, I wanted to cut one apart to see what was inside. It was a dense synthetic ball of something like styrofoam. A G##gl# search of styrofoam pincushions brings up many messages, suggesting to me they are popular to make. Not so sure I'd use styrofoam, but I expect anything from my creative hands to last a very long time. Is styrofoam a good material for pins to penetrate? How long will it last? Would the finger you use to push pins into it be injured from the firmness of styrofoam? Lacemakers will use a pincushion in a different way than would a person who is sewing or embroidering. Back to the story of my very old large tomato pincushion that had been in continuous use for over 50 years. The red cover was finally falling apart, and sawdust was coming through the holes. It, too, was cut apart. The inside of this pincushion had over 100 embedded needles of all sizes and for a variety of purposes that had sunk beyond reach! These were harvested, and I am using them because they were undamaged by time in a sawdust tomb. Do you have an old tomato pincushion? What treasures may reside in it? Can they be recycled? Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center
--------------------------------------------------------- In a message dated 12/26/2016 5:05:52 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: Can someone recommend some good pincushions to buy? Preferably in the U.S. I need to collect/make several beginner kits for teaching bobbin lace, and want the students to have good materials so their early experiences are positive....I want functional. Firm filling. Big enough to hold sufficient pins for a project. Able to be pinned onto the pillow... The red tomatoes that are sold with sewing supplies do not have the quality that they did when I was young. They are actually too hard and stiff now... Sally in western Oregon, enjoying some rare winter sunshine - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
