PINCUSHIONS, PYNPYLLOWES, PINKEEPERS, and MAKEDOS

I am crazy about pincushions…a lowly serviceable item that we all have in our sewing rooms. Have you ever counted how many you own? The oldest one that I own from my life experiences was given as a favor at the mother-daughter banquet in my home town of Shiloh, Ohio when I was about 9 years old. It is a little felt hat that is actually a needlebook made by the ladies of the church. It is amazing that I still have it given how many times I have moved over the years.

I am a collector by nature and of course have collected a few pincushions here and there. If you count the half dolls, I have probably collected 25.

The first record of pincushions appeared 15th century in England. Since metal pins were very costly and considered precious items, ladies kept their pins in small boxes made of silver, bone or ivory. During the Tudor era, simple stuffed shapes started to be used to house pins. These little stuffed treasures were made of silks and linens and were decorated with tassels and laces.

By the 18th century, new materials were used to house these little “pynpyllowes.” They were embellished with fancy threads, beads, knitted silk and other fine things. During the Victorian era, which is my favorite era, pincushions remained very popular and decorated parlour mantels in Victorian homes. Ladies made their pincushions into shapes such as fans, shoes, dolls, teacups, fruits and vegetables.

Today, the tomato with a strawberry attached is the icon of American pincushions. The attached “strawberry” is filled with very fine grit that is used to sharpen needles. Check out Martha Stewart’s web site. She has tomato pin cushion patterns along with cherry tomatoes.

At NEORQC I learned how to make two new pincushions. First, I took the Peony class from Sue Spargo and made a wonderful pincushion complete with a bird atop it. Then, as a surprise, my friend Rene ( who is a pincushion Nut) made a strawberry “makedo” pincushion for everyone eating at our table for the weekend. Last year she gave us an acorn “makedo.” I happened to have a tiny hedgehog pincushion which I gave her. These are made by the owner of Lacemaker in Cortland, Ohio.

“Pincushion Mania” has hit!!!!

If you are a “pincushion nut” like my friend Rene and me, go and count your pincushions. What a wonderful link to the past with ladies of the 15th century. And do check out our modern day links with Sue Spargo, Martha Stewart, Helen Gibb, Clotilde, The Lacemaker and Vintage Vogue. Happy stitching ladies.