Pin Cushion Mania

I admit it ~ I am completely obsessed with my sewing pins and pin cushions.

The reason for this obsession is simple:  Different pins have different purposes.  Use the wrong pin and you could ruin your project.

The thing with pins is they sort of all look alike and if you just throw them in a pin box you are likely to use the incorrect one when you get ready to sew.

So, to better keep up with my pins, I’ve devised an inexpensive system.

When you purchase sewing pins, they usually come in a plastic box and look like this.  A disaster if your pin box gets knocked off your sewing table and falls onto the floor.  I make no confessions, here!

There are 75 ball point pins in this box, each 1.5” long.  These pins have a specific purpose.  They are designed for sewing on knits.

If I were to use a Universal pin, it would leave a small hole in my knit fabric.  If I use a ball point pin, it doesn’t leave a hole.  You always want to use ball points when sewing with knits.

But, these pins look just like my other pins, so I need a way to keep them separate.  To keep my ball points separate, but available for knit sewing, I purchased a purple tomato pin cushion for $1.00 at Joann’s (w/coupon).

I labeled it with a fine point Sharpy.  That’s how easy it is.

I use this cute little bird pin cushion to hold my round-head universal pins.  These pins are 1.75” long and need something deep to stab into.  To make your own pin birdy, click here.

I use my Universal pins whenever I sew with woven fabrics.  I keep these pins separate because of the yellow head which can melt if I iron over the pin.

Anytime you sew on sheer fabrics or silks you need to use extra sharp pins.  I keep these guys on a magnetic pin cushion.  Since I don’t use them that often, they can stay put in a drawer or on the back of my sewing table.

OK, I wasn’t completely honest, here.  These pins are S-H-A-R-P and I always draw blood when I over-handle them.  The magnetic pin cushion is the best choice for a blood-free project.

It would be easier if all of my pins were on magnetic pin cushions, but I’m always a little concerned about having magnets close by my computerized sewing machines.

Since these pins aren’t used every day, they are fine on the magnetic pin holder.

Let’s not forget sewing machine needles.  If you use a heavy duty needle for something like hemming jeans, you don’t want to just toss it after one use.

Here’s my way of keeping up with barely used machine needles.  An inexpensive pin cushion and a fine point Sharpy are all you need.

I really like the tomato pin cushions for keeping all of my pins organized.  For one, the little strawberry has a purpose.  It is filled with emery sand and will sharpen your pins.

The best reason for using them is that they come in a variety of sizes and colors, making it easy to keep your pins separated.

It might seem like I’m overly compulsive with things like pins.  However, when you tackle projects like making jeans or adding piping to a pillow,  then pin management makes all the difference.

And, that makes pin-a-holics, like myself, very happy.