SafePlants

The Humble Pincushion: A Sewist's Best Friend

A pincushion is a small, indispensable tool for anyone who sews. Typically ranging from 3 to 5 cm (1.2 to 2.0 inches) in diameter, it serves as a safe and organized storage solution for pins and needles, keeping their heads readily accessible.

Considerations for Pets

• Pincushions contain sharp objects (pins and needles) that could pose a hazard if ingested or if a pet comes into contact with them.

Considerations for Children

• Pincushions contain sharp objects (pins and needles) that could pose a hazard if ingested or if a child comes into contact with them.
• Some pincushions contain small parts, such as beads or embellishments, which could be a choking hazard for young children.

Quirky Facts

• The tomato pincushion with a strawberry accent is a classic design that remains popular today.
• The strawberry attached to the tomato pincushion isn't just for show; it's an emery that helps keep pins and needles sharp and free of burrs.

Alternative Uses

• The term "pincushion" can also be used informally to describe a person with many body piercings.
• "Pincushion" may also refer to a distortion effect in photography that causes images to appear pinched at the center, often associated with telephoto lenses.

The Pincushion Cactus

• The text mentions that the term "pincushion" can also refer to certain cacti. Specifically, the genera *Escobaria* or *Mammillaria* are referred to as pincushion cactus.