Old-fashioned pin cushions are actually a pain in the, ‘er, butt. To put away my pins, I need to focus on pushing each one in to the classic stuffed tomato, which takes too much time and effort.

Sally Schneider / Improvised Life

I was sewing one day, frustrated by the classic pin cushion’s flawed design when a small magnet happened to be in my field of view. (Incredibly useful, magnets are all over my space, stealthily holding things in place)…

Sally Schneider / Improvised Life

I slowly pushed the magnet toward some pins, testing out the mysterious threshold of change, the distance at which the magnet would suddenly attract pins…

 

Sally Schneider / Improvised Life

Sally Schneider / Improvised Life

Yes!

For me it’s a way better pin cushion; it holds more pins in less space and is way cooler looking. Since the pins flex, I haven’t had any problems with being stuck, though I do handle it gently, using it as a built-in mindfulness sparker.  (Eventually I discovered that if I just aim the pin point at the magnet, it leaps to the magnet, leaving the stubby end out.)

Sally Schneider / Improvised Life

And when the evening light catches it, it makes a lovely little sculpture…

 

Sally Schneider / Improvised Life

 

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One thought on “Annals of Everyday Invention: Magnet Pin Cushion Sculpture

  1. How did you know I needed this!?!?! I was also working on a sewing project when my pin cushion (actually not even that old) gave up the ghost – and most of its stuffing. I resorted to sticking pins into my shirt sleeve to get the job done. Magnets – a WAY BETTER idea!

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