Today, I am beginning to pack for a weekend quilting retreat to the Missouri Star Quilt Co. Retreat Center with my friends in the KC Modern Quilt Guild.
She even included this cute ribbon label inside...
To save on postage, Suz mailed the pin cushion stuffingless (is that a word?). I wanted to fill it with crushed walnut shells but finally settled for sawdust from the my husbands workbench. It works pretty well, but I wish the pincushion were a bit heavier. (Any ideas on how to fix that?)
Now, I just need to get all of my quilting projects prepared and packed. Hopefully, I'll have some finishes to show you next week!
Oh how exciting!! Can't wait to see what all you do while on retreat!!! ....as for stuffing, I used grits, of all things, in my little chicken pin cushions (I thought it quite appropriate :)...they have a good bit of heftiness to them :)
ReplyDeleteOne of my friends just made me one that is similar to this and she used sand to fill it--it is plenty heavy!! I have heard people talk online that the crushed walnut shells can be found at pet stores (I have no idea what they are used for with pets though!)
ReplyDeleteand that is so cool you are going to the quilt retreat. you'll have to blog about it and report back, I'd love to hear about it!!
ReplyDeleteI have used rice to give some weight to my pin cushions and I was gifted one that uses kitty litter (and it works just fine too, except I think it's scented and the scent gives me a headeache.)
ReplyDeleteCarla, do you know any fisherman? I have a little bag of lead shot in mine! I believe it's what fishermen use?! Have a great time on retreat, you'll have a ball! Plenty of photos please! Cute unpicker BTW (wink, wink!)
ReplyDeleteThis is adorable! Thanks for the inspiration for a swap I am involved in!
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you to be going on a retreat. I know how much you're looking forward to it. You'll be wowing everyone there with your Juicy Fruit blocks! I was gifted one of those pin cushion thread catchers, and the maker put a piece of ceramic tile in the bottom of the pin cushion before adding the filler. The tile works really well to keep the cushion flat on the table, as well as having weight.
ReplyDeleteThe pattern I have for these calls for BB's. One small carton should do it and they are pretty cheap too.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful!!! Have a great time
ReplyDeleteCrushed walnut shells, for those who are wondering, are for reptile bedding. ;-) We have lots of reptiles. My LQS sells it in little bags just right for thread catchers, so check to see if yours does...since you most likely don't need a large amount.
ReplyDeleteYou could also put some heavy washers inside, or glue them to the bottom.
Sounds like a great time will be had by all! Can't wait to see what you make. You could always sew curtain weights to each corner.
ReplyDeleteYou can weight it with some very large washers generally found in the nuts and bolts area of your hardware store. Another option is the flat metal plates found in electrical. Both would feel at home with your sawdust. Have a fabulous retreat!
ReplyDeleteYou got lots of great ideas to weight it, I have always wanted to try emery but don't know where to find it. It was pretty typical in old pincushions and kept your needles sharp.
ReplyDeleteThe thread catcher is so cute, have fun on your retreat!
A version of the ceramic tile idea from Linda @ Flourishing Palms, I made myself one years ago and the pattern suggested hot gluing the pincushion to a square of tile. It has served me well for 10 years. It looks like your pincushion may be rectangular, there are so many different sizes of tiles these days. That would save, re-stuffing the cushion part. Washers, lead shot are all good other options.
ReplyDeleteVery sweet. Hope you're having fun on the retreat.
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