A Vintage & Antique Pin Cushion Guide w/Values

In the world of sewing, the pin cushion plays a vital role. Used to hold straight pins and needles, no assemblage of sewing notions would be considered complete without the essential pin cushion.

In this article we’ll consider some historical information involving these quaint collectibles, as well as take a look at a large variety of examples while also establishing their values.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

History of Pin Cushions
Various Pin Cushion Materials & Values
Unusual Pin Cushion Shapes & Values

Pin Cushion History

It wasn’t until the mid-1800’s that pin cushions became a necessity, since prior to that, a seamstress kept her extremely pricey pins safely in a small container of some sort. The Industrial Revolution brought with it machinery that could mass produce pins, thereby dramatically reducing their price.

For the average housewife, cushions took the form of a simple, handmade round or square stuffed with sand or sawdust. Gradually they took on all sorts of shapes and sizes, constructed from a variety of materials: fabric, ceramic, metal, wood, celluloid, and wood.

They would have looked something like this example made of blue plaid wool with a matching piece of fabric on the bottom.

When you think of pin cushions, do you automatically think of the red tomato type? You’re not alone, but you may be wondering how the ever popular tomato shape came into being.

Why tomatoes and not apples or pumpkins?

During the Middle Ages, placing a tomato on a windowsill was thought to ward off evil spirits. As the story goes, homemakers began making them from fabric so as to continue placing a “tomato” on the sill even in winter, Peppermint Mag.

Over time, its functionality as a pin holder became obvious and the tomato pin cushion was born.

Often you find a small strawberry attached by string to the tomato. They are filled with emory and are specifically used to sharpen dull pins and needles. The pin is inserted in and out of the strawberry in order to sharpen it.

Pin Cushion Materials

Fabric

Many fabric pin cushions that I come across in the wild are handmade made by seamstresses to suit their fancy.

I daresay this pink satin example falls into that category. The colors indicate to me that it dates to the 1940’s or 50’s. Value: $4-5

This homemade cushion with frilly lace trim and pink floral fabric likely dates to about the 1960’s. Value: $3-4

I’ve come across several cushions just about this shape and size with thread embellishments on each corner. It makes me wonder if perhaps a magazine contained instructions for something like this pink corduroy pin cushion. Value: $1-2

This charming example is made from a scrap of antique crazy quilt. Don’t you just love it? Value: $10-12

Doilies

I’ve seen these heavily stuffed, oblong pieces described as pin cushions or hat pin holders. As they are quite different from the average pin cushion, I’m tempted to go with “hat pin holder,” but decided to include them since many antique sellers disagree with me. Value: $15-20

Here’s another pretty example made from a lovely blue embroidered doily. I came across it in an antique shop. Priced: $12

Wood

Some pin cushions contain wooden elements, like the two below.

I sold this marvelous band box and fabric pin cushion on eBay in 2018 for $13.50. I recently stumbled across it listed in an old (1994) Shaker Workshops catalog for $17.50.

Value: $18-25

This antique wood and velvet example dates to the late 1800’s. The olive color of the velvet and oxidation on the bottom of the wood help to date it. It’s possible that it’s a “make-do” pin cushion made from a candlestick. Value: $20-25

Native American Baskets

As Native American’s lost more and more land over the years, and began to lose their way of life as a result, they learned how to support themselves in a capitalistic society.

One of the ways they did this was by using their skills with weaving, pottery, beading, and basketry to create souvenirs for their white colonizers.

Many antique sellers are unaware that charming little pin cushions, like this one, were made by Native Americans out of woven sweet grass. I attribute this style (and those below) to the Northeastern Woodlands tribes. Value: $12-18

Another sweet grass example with bow decorations. Value: $12-18

I came across this charming sweet grass and ash splint cushion at an antique mall in Pennsylvania. The curly ques are known as “porcupine twists”. Value: $15-22

Related Article: Native American Basket Guide

Native American beaded “whimsies” like this one are sometimes referred to as pin cushions, so I decided to include this pretty heart-shaped piece (with a beaded tulip design) in the article. Value: $50-60

Metal

For whatever reason, sterling silver shaped shoe pin cushions experienced a heyday during the Victorian era among the wealthy.

Shortly thereafter, clever manufacturers began fashioning them out of pot metal for those unable to afford sterling. The men’s shoe you see above is an example of one. Value: $12-20

This metal pill-box style pin cushion has the benefit of allowing other sewing notions to be stored inside of it. Value: $10-12

I discovered this metal and velvet pin cushion at an antique mall not too long ago. The pretty floral design of the gold metal frame compliments the deep blue of the velvet. Value: $20-30

I recently came across this early 1900’s ad for a metal clip-on pin cushion/thimble and thread holder selling for just 25￠! I’d love to come across one of these someday.

Ceramic

This cute ceramic pin cushion (a little blurry) celebrating “Mother” dates to the 1970’s.
Value: $6-10

Celluloid

Celluloid was all the rage when first developed in the 1920’s and manufacturers used it to create all sorts of items, like this pincushion, along with clocks, frames, vases, vanity sets, and more. Value: $8-15

Related Article: What is Celluloid? An In Depth Guide

Lucite

Designers used Lucite (another early plastic) to create products like pin cushions and jewelry that often contained floral elements. The above pincushion contains small rose shapes that compliment the red velvet cushion. Value: $12-20

Pin Cushion Shapes

Tomato-shaped pin cushions come in colors other than red! This olive green example with gold ribbing likely dates to the 1970’s. Value: $6-10

Porcelain half-doll pin cushions enjoyed great popularity in the early 20th century. The colonial era doll above dates to 1910, according to Wil who kindly gave permission for me to use his image. This pincushion and many other amazing antiques can be found in his shop. List Price: $56

When I first came across this piece a few months ago, I thought for sure it had been handmade. However, after some research, I found several almost identical versions on eBay.

The one above, made of charming satin fabric (with a composition head) has a unique embellishment: a tiny baby doll in a pink crocheted outfit pinned beneath her armpit.
Value: $18-25

Here’s another example I came across while shopping in PA last month. This gal, made of wood, has a folk art quality about her. Value: $18-25

Here’s another example of a shoe-shaped pin cushion in a 1920’s or 30’s style. Value: $12-18

This little charmer, a yellow ceramic “house-shoe”, likely dates to the 1950’s. Value: $8-15

And finally, we have a wooden cushion shaped like a rocking chair that also holds spools of thread and scissors. The cushion-y part is made of stuffed feed sack fabric featuring pink and blue flowers on a beige background. Value: $15-25

Related Article: A Feed Sack Fabric Guide

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Conclusion

I hope I’ve opened up the world of pin cushions for you and that you find them as intriguing as I have.

Have you bought or sold any pin cushions recently? Are they good sellers for you?

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