pincushions

A pincushion is a small soft cushion used in sewing to store pins and needles safely and conveniently. Traditional pincushions are made of fabric stuffed with soft filling such as cotton, wool, sawdust, or kapok, and often feature a shallow depression to hold pins.

They come in various shapes, with the tomato-shaped red pincushion being iconic and widely used as a decorative item, while other designs include circular discs and elongated, pocket-style cushions. Some pincushions incorporate emery or abrasive material to aid in sharpening pins, while magnetic versions use a magnet to hold pins.

Construction materials vary, but common fillings are wool felt, cotton batting, or polyester fiber; covers are typically linen, cotton, or felt. Care involves keeping the cushion dry, occasionally replacing stuffing or washing the cover, and ensuring the pin area remains accessible and free of moisture to prevent rust on pins.

The tomato or strawberry-style cushion has strong associations with Victorian-era sewing rooms in Europe and North America, where such decorative items were popular as both functional tools and household furnishings. Pincushions remain common in modern craft spaces and are often collected as vintage or decorative objects.

In botany, the term pincushion also refers to pincushion flowers, the common name for certain Scabiosa species and related genera, which have dense, globular flower heads resembling a pincushion. This botanical use is separate from the sewing tool but shares the same descriptive imagery.