Pins and needles are small, but a dull or rusted one can ruin a seam. A pincushion filled with crushed walnut shell keeps steel points clean because it works as a gentle, dry abrasive. This is not a new idea, and it is still worth making.
Photo by NordWood Themes on Unsplash.
Why Walnut Shell?
Most pincushions are filled with cotton wadding, polyester fiberfill, or kapok. They hold needles, but they also hold moisture. A needle pushed into such a cushion sits in a warm, absorbent pocket, and over time the steel can dull or spot. Crushed walnut shell behaves differently. It is hard enough to put pressure on the point and shaft, yet fine enough not to damage them. The shell’s natural oils help lift light rust, while its surface wipes away dulling residue.
The word ‘shell’ is important. The filling should be crushed walnut shell, not walnut flour and not whole shell pieces. A medium or fine crush is easier to pack into a small cushion and gives better contact with the needle.
The best covers are wool felt and linen. Wool felt is quick to cut and does not need seam finishing. Linen is stronger and can be turned through a narrow opening like a small pouch. Both are dense enough to keep the shell from working through the weave.
Materials
- wool felt or linen scraps, cut into two 4-inch circles or two rectangles about 3 1/2 by 4 1/2 inches
- unscented crushed walnut shells
- hand-sewing thread
- hand needle
- small funnel
- scissors
- cotton tape or embroidery floss, for a hanging loop (optional)
Use unscented walnut shell. Some walnut shell products are sold for pet litter or abrasive blasting and contain deodorizers, oils, or dust. Those are not suitable. Check that the bag says unscented and that the contents look clean and dry.
Making the Cushion
1. Cut and Prepare the Cover
Cut two pieces of fabric. If you use linen, place the pieces right sides together and sew a 1/4-inch seam around the edge with a backstitch or a firm running stitch. Leave an opening about 1 1/2 inches long. Clip the seam at the curves, turn the cover right side out, and press the edge lightly. For felt, place the two pieces one on top of the other and whip stitch around the edge, leaving the same opening. Do not turn felt.
Photo by Melvyn Swingler on Unsplash.
2. Fill the Cushion
Put the funnel into the opening. Work over a tray or sheet of paper. Add the crushed walnut shell a spoonful at a time, tapping the side of the cushion as you go so the shell settles. Fill the cushion until it feels firm but still gives slightly when pressed. If it feels like a stone, too much. If the shells shift loosely, not enough. The seam should close without strain.
3. Close and Finish
Tuck the raw edges of the opening inside and close them with a ladder stitch. Tie off the thread firmly. If you want a hanging loop, fold a 5-inch piece of cotton tape in half and stitch the ends to the seam near the closing stitch. A loop of heavy thread works too. Keep the loop short enough to hang from a drawer knob, a peg, or the edge of a sewing box.
Using the Cushion
Keep the pincushion where you can reach it while you sew. Push needles and pins into the cushion when they are not in use. Before threading a needle, draw it through the filling once or twice. The walnut shell will buff away the first signs of rust and smooth the point. If a needle has been stored for weeks, this quick pass helps it slide through fabric again.
Do not soak the cushion or use it near a steamer. Walnut shell is dry by nature, but the cover is not waterproof.
A Note on Emery
Walnut shell is a gentle everyday cleaner. For needles that are already rusted, a small emery pincushion is more aggressive. Emery is a natural abrasive powder, and pincushions filled with it have long been used to clean needles. Make the same cushion, but fill it with fine emery powder instead of walnut shell. Because emery dust can be inhaled, fill the cushion slowly, avoid stirring up the powder, and keep it away from young children. Use it when a needle needs real scouring, not as a day-to-day home for fine pins.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not use scented or treated walnut shell. Added oils coat the needle and attract dust.
- Do not pack the cushion too full. Walnut shell is less forgiving than fiberfill; an overstuffed cushion will make the needle hard to push in and pull out.
- Do not leave the cover damp. If the cover gets wet, empty the shells, dry them in a warm place, and refill the cushion.
- Do not use walnut shell if you have a tree nut allergy. Use an emery cushion or a plain wool-filled cushion instead.
Photo by Ritesh Tamrakar on Unsplash.
A walnut-shell pincushion is a small thing, but it earns its place in a sewing box. It takes an afternoon to make, uses scraps already on hand, and keeps every needle ready for work.