Its all about

P
I
N
C
U
S
H
I
O
N
S

Is Pincushion
I
an Oxymoron?

Pin cushions can

be. . . .

. . .funny

 sometimes they
may be sad. . .

They could
be just a bit
Risque. . .

Or just a pretty
plaid!

And then there are the brave

ones. . .

And some so
bright and
bold!

Youll find the

Shabby Chic ones
...

And those antique and

old!

Some were
kept in
parlors,
Others in the
bath

Some were
made for
memories.
..

Some to
make us
laugh!

No matter what the shape or size

The fabric or the hue
Somewhere out there you will find
A pincushion - Just for You!

In the beginning. . . Thorns from the

there were no pins Hawthorne Tree were first
used as pins in clothing.
and hence there were no
Pincushions!

Later wood and bones

were used to fashion
pins.

Iron wire pins

were made as
early as the
1400s in France

Metal pins were costly a treasured

item up until the 1500s they were
kept in small cases made of silver,
metal, ivory etc.

First recorded
instance of a
Pincushion was in
the Tudor era in
England in the first
part of the 15th
century.
Often made of silk
with tassels and
beads

From the 17th to the 19th

century, "pin stuck"
pincushions were made. The
decoration was made entirely
of pins. It was impractical as
a working pincushion since
the decoration was spoiled if
any of the pins were
removed. Beads became
popular too, and the
pincushions were soon filled
with them so that they, too,
became just a decorative

In the male dominated Victorian era

when women had no rights to property
or wealth selling their costly pins
became a source of income and
personal money for women. Hence the
term pin money.

Victorian cartoon denouncing the Victorian wealth gap.

With the advent of the Industrial

revolution; sewing items were massed
produced making them more affordable
and accessible to the masses. The
pincushion then became an item of
necessity.

Novelty cushions resembling miniature boots and shoes were

very popular, also animals with velvet pinning-fabric mounted
on their backs.

More uncommon designs ranged from miniature

furniture like pianos and bassinets.

Miss
Dottie
Dimple
Emery
has
come to
visit
you and
keep
your
needle

During the Victorian era there

was a great deal of emphasis on
the parlor room and it became
the perfect place in which to
display the novelty pincushions
of the era.

Cushions were also frequently

mounted onto other sewing tools
like clamps, boxes and baskets.
Though generally containing
available materials like cotton,
wool, horsehair, or sawdust,
some pin cushions were filled
with emery to help keep needle
points sharp and prevent rusting.

How many of you had one of

A tomato on
your mantle
wards off evil
spirits
late 1800s

Tomato pincushion became

precursor to the modern

If England did it
well. . . . .

France tried
to do it better.

The pincushion crossed the water with

the English to the New World.

Soon Native Americans capitalized on the traditional pincushion

creating intricate beaded designs which they then sold to the English.
This pincushion was made in the late 1800s by the Iroquois Indians.
The Dakota Indians also made beaded pincushions.

Think of me
When the
golden sun
is sinking
And your
mind from
care set
free
When of
others you
are thinking
Will you
sometimes
think of me.

The pincushion continues to play

its part in the 21st century.

They have made their way into

the comics.

They have invaded the world of

technology!

They are
famous!

Theyre

Today the only limit to your

pincushion. . .

. . . is your imagination!