I began
making pincushions as part of my needlework thirty years ago. Looking at
discarded or tattered pieces pf handmade lace, chenille flowers, vintage silk,
wool and cotton thread begins the creative process and inspires unique form and
vision for each piece. Because the process is new each time, it's a joy to
evolve each cushion into its own pastiche of once cherished vintage textiles.
In the past, pincushion themselves were important household objects. Prior to
the sixteenth century, pins were so valued that they were bequeathed in last
wills and testaments. They were carefully stored in closed boxes. During the
sixteenth century, more pins and pillows were made on which to store pins.
These cushions were called "pyn pillows." During the eighteenth century,
knitted cushions, carved ivory baskets, and silk-covered pocket pincushions
became desirable. Throughout history, these cushions have been made for many
purposes, i.e., for the birth of a child, a christening, or wedding. They have
been called pin tuffets, pin pillows, pin poppets, and pincushions. They have
been very decorative or plain and practical. Pincushions have always been
exchanged between mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and friends.