Collecting: From Tomato Pincushion for Sewing to Collectible

I have always been a collector. So I thought I would share a bit about items I find, incase you are interested in them too. So let’s talk about collecting, from tomato pincushion for sewing to collectible, these little finds are too cute!

You’ve probably seen these before, in Grandma’s sewing machine cabinet, or a tin full of buttons. Classic tomato pincushions are popping up everywhere, as old sewing tools become more and more popular in the vintage collecting world.

Not only are they adorable (cause everything is cute when it’s little, right?) but they are so fun to hunt for. You never know what you will find, but I’m sure, if you decide to grab a few, you will find the perfect place to store them. That’s the beauty of collecting items that are small.

Why collect tomato pincushions?

Around here we talk a lot about personal style and buying what you love. So if you’re a sewer at all, you may be drawn to these little cuties. After all, for practicality, you need a safe place to store your pins and needles.

But the shape, color, and size variety of tomato pincushions make them the perfect candidate to collect. When you are searching for something vintage, patina is a big deal, and these little nuggets have their own personalities.

The classic red tomato cushion

Everyone’s Mom and Grandma, at one point, probably had the classic red tomato cushion to put their sewing pins in for storage. The emery beads inside of the cushion, keep them sharp and ready for use.

But with a collector’s mind, these can become a new little obsession. They are affordable, easy to store, and if you ever want to use them for their purpose they are at the ready!

I don’t use mine for sewing anymore, and when I find them, sometimes they are even without pins. If the pins are especially old, I will keep them in the cushion. But mostly, I will take them out since I am more interested in the decor appeal of the item.

Finding different fabrics

When you look around for tomato pincushions, you will begin to notice the variations. I love ones that are in their tattered, original condition and are discolored a bit. You can tell that they have lived a good life.

I have found cotton ones, and velvet ones. Sadly, I have even found and passed up on some homemade ones that were done with calico prints. Of course, I am regretting leaving those behind. So I urge you, if you like them and find them, then buy them!

Choose a variety of sizes

The tomato pincushions come in all different sizes. Many times I find them with the strawberry emery missing, but I still love their shape, so it’s a win for me either way.

When they are stored together in a collection, having a mix of sizes looks really great together. Plus varying them, in sizes, makes for a super cute tomato stack! I simply pin a few together to keep them attached, and they look adorable as kitschy art on a shelf.

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What can I expect to pay for a tomato pincushion?

When I am out hunting for vintage, many time I can find them for $1-2 at estate sales. Once they hit antique shops, you can usually find them for $4-8. Shopping online, I have seen them listed anywhere from $10-25 a piece!

Why is there a strawberry on the tomato pin cushion?

The little emery-filled strawberry hanging off the side of the tomato pincushion is meant to sharpen the pins and needles that are used. Many times they are missing from the pincushion.

What are tomato pin cushions filled with?

Classically, pin cushions are filled with emery beads or emery powder to aid in sharpening. But many now are filled with cotton or wool filling, poly fill, or even ground walnut shells now. Other odd things that they have been filled with over time include; steel wool, sawdust, or even sand.

The history of the Tomato Pincushion

• Why a tomato? – According to old folklore, a tomato on the mantel ensured prosperity by warding off evil spirits. So when winter came, with no fresh tomatoes, people got creative and made tiny stuffed ones.
• Why a pincushion? – This was for practical reasons purely, as it was the perfect place to store pins and needles safely. Needles were quite in demand, so this also became a way that you could show off your collection.
• How old is the tomato pin cushion? – Actually pincushions go way back to the middle ages. But they became more popular in the Victorian era, as it was often proper for young ladies to sit around and sew in groups. So pincushions stocked on parlor shelves were a show of importance of the craft.

Display ideas for a tomato pincushion collection

I keep my collection in my home studio, where I am surrounded by fun things I love. They are displayed in cartons, glass jars, dishes, and even on spools. There are so many fun ways to display them. I love to create a stack of them, where I just pin them together to keep them in place.

I hope you have enjoyed this little collection and that you will stop by again for more blog posts about collecting. For more inspiration, follow me on these platforms.

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Let me know in the comments if you have any tomato pincushions! Or I would love to hear about what little things you collect.

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