Over the last year, estate sales have turned up pincushions tucked into sewing baskets, resting on dressers, or sitting proudly on a craft table. In one case, I uncovered an entire collection from a single dedicated pincushion collector, each one a tiny window into someone’s sewing life.
There are dolls whose skirts double as pincushions. Strawberries, both petite and oversized, handmade with care. A classic red tomato, its emery strawberry still attached. A mouse. A cat. A shoe. A little cushion that seems to have been a travel memory, a magnetic 1980s piece, a vintage Chinese pincushion with ornate detail, even a star-shaped cushion made by hand. And my favorite, an old-fashioned wristlet, made to be worn while you worked.
Together, they feel like more than objects. They’re companions, each with a story.
A Practical Tool with a Personal Twist
At their core, pincushions are utilitarian: a safe, handy place to store pins and needles while sewing. The tomato-shaped pincushion, for example, became iconic in the 20th century, included with nearly every beginner’s sewing kit. Its attached strawberry wasn’t just decoration, it was filled with emery, a mineral used to sharpen needles.
But sewists have always gone beyond practicality. Pincushions became decorative, collectible, and deeply personal. They were often handmade gifts, passed down in sewing boxes, or souvenirs of travel and life events. The materials, shapes, and embellishments reveal as much about the maker as about the user.
What Your Pincushion Says About You
There’s something fascinating about how the pincushion you use reflects your personality:
The tomato traditionalist: Practical, rooted in history, always ready for the basics.
The animal lover: A mouse, cat, or dog pincushion signals playfulness and joy.
The doll pincushion fan: A love of charm and whimsy, with an eye for things that feel handmade.
The heirloom holder: Oversized strawberries or carefully stitched stars hint at a respect for tradition and history.
The innovator: Magnetic or wristlet pincushions? You value function and ease while keeping hands free for the creative work.
Each pincushion tells a quiet story about its maker and user, whether it was a carefully chosen gift, a homemade heirloom, or just the tool you reach for every time you sit down to sew.
Collecting with Care
What I love most about finding pincushions in estate sales is how they connect us across time. They may seem like small, simple objects, but each one represents hours of creative labor and a life threaded through fabric and pins. Saving them, collecting them, and using them is a way to honor that history while keeping the craft alive.
If you’ve ever found yourself drawn to an unusual pincushion, or if you’ve stitched one yourself, you’re part of that lineage. They may be small, but they’re powerful little reminders that the details matter.
✨ Do you have a favorite pincushion? Is it the one you’ve always had, or something quirky you found along the way?
🧵 Pincushion FAQ
Q: Why are pincushions shaped like tomatoes?
A: The tomato pincushion became popular in the Victorian era. Tomatoes were thought to bring prosperity and keep evil spirits away, so a tomato-shaped pincushion was both practical and symbolic. The small strawberry attached is often filled with emery, used to sharpen pins and needles.
Q: What is the history of pincushions?
A: Pincushions date back to at least the 16th century in Europe, when they were known as “pyn pillows.” They served as both functional sewing tools and decorative household objects. Over time, they became highly creative, appearing in shapes like animals, fruits, dolls, and keepsakes.
Q: Are vintage pincushions collectible?
A: Yes. Collectors seek out unusual shapes, handmade designs, and pincushions tied to specific eras or makers. Victorian and early 20th-century examples can be especially valuable, while midcentury novelty shapes (animals, dolls, travel souvenirs) are beloved for their charm.
Q: What are common types of pincushions?
A: Popular forms include the classic tomato, strawberries, dolls with skirt pincushions, animal figures, wristlet pincushions, magnetic versions, and handmade heirloom or novelty shapes. Each reflects the style and needs of the crafter who used it.
Q: Do people still make pincushions today?
A: Absolutely! Many sewists and fabric artists make their own pincushions, often from fabric scraps or upcycled materials. Modern makers blend function with creativity, treating pincushions as small, personal works of art.
