Interesting Artifacts: Pincushions

I'm working on another article for Classic Sewing Magazine and in-between stitching projects I thought I'd share some of my "antique sewing implement" collection. What else do you call the ephemera of past stitching and sewing notions? Every piece of my collection makes me think of the hands that originally held the object and used it to make lovely garments and embroidered items. 

Today I'll focus on Pincushions, something we stitchers can not do without!

This little gem below is made of blue velveteen, encircled with gathered cotton lace (now yellowed with age) and happily embroidered with the recipients initials LFB. Recipient refers to the still-attached, barely discernible Christmas gift card addressed to Louise Blakemore and dated 1912 (which can't be seen in the photo). It's adorable with the attached green ribbon hanger.

 Next is the hand crocheted one that measures almost 8" tall and 7' at its widest point, and is about 2" thick. The pincushion form inside has been hand stitched out of cotton muslin. The decorative crotchet shell stitch on the flounce is in variegated blue/ivory (or was it white originally?). There are little loops on the top to hang it on something. 

This little grass basket pincushion is woven in two colors: green and grass (for lack of a better color) that is now a golden color. Two little silk bows are on each end. There is a little 1/4" wide spoke (again maybe not the right choice of words, but I don't do basket weaving) on one long side, visible here,  that could possibly have been a way to secure this little beauty to something else. 

The cushion itself is a long fiber satin that originally was a deep peach/orange color, the top having faded with age and light exposure. The pincushion measures 2" tall, 3 3/4" wide, and 1 1/4" deep.

 The last one (and not the last in my collection) is made from a machine-made lace square doily with hand applied narrow cotton lace around it. Two silk ribbon bows (with knotted loops) are at each corner holding a silk satin ribbon loop to hang the pincushion and large enough to hang over a door knob.

 The cushion base is made, interestingly enough, from two pieces of 3" wide silk ribbon that were stitched together down the ribbon selvage, then folded over and under to make the cushion, all hand stitched, of course. The back still has the pins and safety pins attached as when I purchased it. Inside is another cushion that's inserted into the silk ribbon cover, probably made from muslin. It's completely hand stitched. All in all, a very interesting and beautiful pincushion!

I hope you've enjoyed a view into my antique collection. Stay tuned for more to come!