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  1. #1
    mommadeb's Avatar mommadeb is offline Senior Member
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    Question My Pins Are Getting Dull

    I do a lot of paper piecing (foundation piecing) and my sewing pins are getting dull. Any ideas on how I can sharpen them so they are like new? They are not that old. I've only been using them for about 6 mos. Can I just put fine sand in something? Thanks for any input.
    Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.”

  2. #2
    donnah818 is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: My Pins Are Getting Dull

    I have an old pin cusion with the little red strawberry filled with emery( I think) anyway it sharpens pins and needles. You know the one that looks like a tomato
    Those who sleep under a quilt are wrapped in love

  3. #3
    Sandy Navas's Avatar Sandy Navas is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: My Pins Are Getting Dull

    Deb, try this: http://www.craftypod.com/2008/07/07/...e-idea-get-it/

    Or, take a fairly large piece of aluminum foil and fold it over and over into a semi-compact 'block'. Start sticking your pins into it when you remove them from your sewing project. The aluminum will also help keep them sharp. I heard that some people use this method to keep their rotary cutter blades sharp, also.
    Be warned. I am BORED.
    This could be dangerous.

    When you get cold just go stand in the corner.
    They are usually 90 degrees.

    A giraffe's coffee would be cold by the time it reached the bottom of his throat.
    Ever think about that? No? You only think about yourself??

  4. #4
    Sandy Navas's Avatar Sandy Navas is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: My Pins Are Getting Dull

    Deb, try this: http://www.craftypod.com/2008/07/07/...e-idea-get-it/

    Or, take a fairly large piece of aluminum foil and fold it over and over into a semi-compact 'block'. Start sticking your pins into it when you remove them from your sewing project. The aluminum will also help keep them sharp. I heard that some people use this method to keep their rotary cutter blades sharp, also.
    Be warned. I am BORED.
    This could be dangerous.

    When you get cold just go stand in the corner.
    They are usually 90 degrees.

    A giraffe's coffee would be cold by the time it reached the bottom of his throat.
    Ever think about that? No? You only think about yourself??

  5. #5
    sewmuchjan's Avatar sewmuchjan is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: My Pins Are Getting Dull

    All so I have my Grandma's Tomato Pin Cushion and it is filled with sawdust and works real good still after about 90 years. Not sure where the little strawberry went to but it keeps my needles and pins sharp.

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    Jan G
    Jan G


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    THE BEHINDER I GET!!!!

  6. #6
    coffeebreak's Avatar coffeebreak is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: My Pins Are Getting Dull

    I have that dull pin problem too and a tomato pincushion and haven't noticed that it has sharpened them any. But.. I will try the foil idea....when I was scrapbooking, my punches would get dull and I'd punch through double foil about a dozen times and that did sharpen the punches! Plus...to make them glide smoother..I punched them through wax paper and that did help them slide smoother so maybe it will work on pins. Hadn't thought about that! Gonna try it!

  7. #7
    Sandy Navas's Avatar Sandy Navas is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: My Pins Are Getting Dull

    NOTE to Karen: I posted twice for YOU. Thank you very much.


    Cackle, cackle, cackle . . . hee hee!!
    Be warned. I am BORED.
    This could be dangerous.

    When you get cold just go stand in the corner.
    They are usually 90 degrees.

    A giraffe's coffee would be cold by the time it reached the bottom of his throat.
    Ever think about that? No? You only think about yourself??

  8. #8
    Cathy F's Avatar Cathy F is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: My Pins Are Getting Dull

    I took a embroidered pin cushion class at my local quilt store and they were filled with crushed walnut shell which is supposed to keep the pins sharp and from rusting. Smith Street designs carries the pin cushion fillers but the quilt store said you can purchase it in pet stores as it's used in lizzard tanks and much cheaper. You can also google it and they sell it in bags online. Here is a picture of some I made for my quilting friends.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails My Pins Are Getting Dull-resized-pincushions.jpg  

  9. #9
    Blondie's Avatar Blondie is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: My Pins Are Getting Dull

    I purchased some emery from a gal on etsy some time back. I use it in my pincushions of course - works great.
    Sandy, I had heard about the al foil but had forgotten. Thanks for the reminder.
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  10. #10
    mommadeb's Avatar mommadeb is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: My Pins Are Getting Dull

    These all sound like great ideas-I may try them all. Thanks everyone!
    Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.”

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