Mark C. Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 Ok maybe you never have thought about them but if you did here is how they are made or at least one way to make them. I used to make these and do not anymore due the fact that the market died. I made hundreds of them each year in the 70’s -80’s and 90’s. My guess is folks stopped sewing about 2001. Maybe it was a few years later. If they develop an App for sewing on the I-phone, maybe sewing will come back someday. Since I’m one the sons of a mother who taught home economics for a lifelong career I know a bit about fabric and sewing. This is the only pincushion I kept from 3 decades of making them. Most where glazed in solid colors. A few had these cobalt cats and some pigs and a few dogs as well as a few other animals but the lions share where solid glaze colors. All where fired to cone 10 and all porcelain? The glazes where snappy bright. The holes that hold the string are optional ( they work without this touch) and if you make a tool like the one shown which is laminated plastic it will make the holes space out perfectly-they now sell this tool on the market now from some supplier(MK?). I made mine before that existed in the 70's. It makes the 6-hole space very quick.Just drop in center of circle form and use a needle tool to score some light marks for the holes. You throw the base and let dry a tad them add the holes –I use a brass hole maker to cut the small hole in the clay when its just right moisture wise. Dry, then fire as normal.I suggest cleaning the glaze from the holes with a needle too or (small drill bit-best) before firing so they do not clog up The fabric is 10-to 12-inch squares-I used to but only remnants as cheap as I could fine prints and solids. I used polyester batting as the stuffing. I got mine free from a local manufacturer who used large amounts and would give me the non-perfect stuff-I got it by the truckload literally. To assemble you would cut the batting and stuff it into a piece of ladies pantyhose (I got large amounts of these at thrift shops). You would cut the legs into 3rds and stuff the batting and tie it off into a ball. These where covered with the fabric and color matched to the glazes-I use about 15 glazes not counting combos. Matching it up is an art as well. I use a 3.5-inch neoprene rubber bottom on them to keep them from sliding around-I bought these by the hundreds. These where a big hit especially during the holiday’s as gifts. Now that you know how to make them you can make a few yourself .I considered writing a piece in a magazine about these but this is easier and more direct. My last suggestion was never responded to anyway. Those editors must be a touchy bunch. I gave up this form over a decade ago.They still are cute and you never know somebody may still sew? Happy pinning Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiselleNo5 Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 I sew and so do at least a dozen other people in my family, including my dad! This would be a cute gift. Especially easy to make it look like an animal or something. I could see these being popular! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugaboo Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 My Mom is part of a Quilting Guild and a Quilting Circle. My aunt makes hand made purses from vintage fabrics. I can sew and do so as needed, mostly when I can't find what I want in the store and have to create it myself. Around here there is at least 1 Quilting Guild that I know of so somebody out there still sews. Thanks for sharing Mark. T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 i one this. i just got a very old early electric Singer sewing machine, but i have never had a decent pin cushion. thanks,Mark! Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 Well there seems to be a few still that sew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Fireborn Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 That is awesome. Very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 I love these. I sew a lot, never used a pin cushion. I've always used a magnetic dish. which is great for picking up pins after you've pulled them out and left them all over the sewing machine, but not so good for just grabbing one pin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Beller Diesel Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 Those are cute! I think they need to make a comeback. I know lots of crafty ladies that would love these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 I would ask if you make one or 30 (that was my run always on these ) please post photo of it so I can see it. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 I just bought a new sewing machine, actually I purchased two. The first one was a computer with a needle and thread, I got tired of reading the manual every time I wanted to use. My sister was in town and was complaining about her old machine, I told her I had a bargain for her. The next machine is like my old machine, heavy duty all mechanical, no computer. yea! Denice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 ( The first one was a computer with a needle and thread,) ​hey I have a laptop and needle and thread as well-I never called it a sewing machine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claygram Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 what a clever idea! I still have my 50-year old machine and it is like new. Made clothes for myself, my children and quilts for my grandchildren and so much more. then i found pottery ...maybe will try a few of these for fun--thanks mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surubee Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 Thank you Mark! Those look like they could be fun to make. I plan to start out by trying out one for myself as a test project and see how it goes from there. I also need to make a present for a quilting friend - (she already has enough mugs!) - so this would be perfect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 Mark, My Montana friends have old enamel Singer sewing machines. My house warming gift from my best friend is a beauty of a Singer cabinet machine like the one I used when learning to sew.- burning my finger on the hot lamp shade. My friend's husband suggested finding an LED bulb. Brilliant solution. Very excited to be moving, looking for fabric for making curtains. All part of nesting. My studio will be in a heated garage and the kiln shed will be in 12 x 19' shed. We are so happy to be moving back to Montana and in a town where we know lots of people...and artisans. I a going to make my sewing bee group PIN CUSHIONS! What a nice contribution to my friends.My Singer has some killer engraving on the metal parts. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiselleNo5 Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 I love these. I sew a lot, never used a pin cushion. I've always used a magnetic dish. which is great for picking up pins after you've pulled them out and left them all over the sewing machine, but not so good for just grabbing one pin. I wonder if you could make a magnetic one out of ceramic?? Maybe you'd have to make it super thin .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiselleNo5 Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 I would ask if you make one or 30 (that was my run always on these ) please post photo of it so I can see it. Mark I promise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted November 7, 2016 Report Share Posted November 7, 2016 Where did you get the neoprene circles? Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2016 When it comes to self stick neoprene you can get them at Aftosa or Axner. I have had many forms that sell better with neoprene bottoms I have a manufacture make my 2.5 inch circles for my sponge holders but the minimum is $350 with set up charge. The price in large quantities is under 20 cents for these smaller ones. I tend to order 3,400 at a time for the sponge holders-I'm on my third order. I also used to have a supplier import them from from china but he gave up neoprene and only does jewelry items now.Those where prices very low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted November 8, 2016 Report Share Posted November 8, 2016 Thanks! I have no plans for such a quantity. I'll look around. maybe those silicon bumps on the bottom would work. I use them on my wall tiles to avoid marring the wall. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2016 I can mail you one as I have lots-just Pm me the details Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2016 Please post a photo of all your pincushions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 8, 2017 Report Share Posted January 8, 2017 One of the holes plugged up and I found that a Dremel tool set on the slowest speed and with a pointy diamond hone opened it up fine Thanks Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted January 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2017 I may have missed saying that you need to ream out the holes after glazing before firing with a drill bit or needle tool. That way the glaze will not fill the hole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 8, 2017 Report Share Posted January 8, 2017 I did ream out the holes as per your recommendation before firing, I guess I didn't do a good enough job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted January 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2017 I used to run a drill bit thru the dryed glaze and remove it all. It seems that very few glazes would ever fill them up again. That bit was the full size of the hole.Thanks for posting a finished photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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