Pins & Needles

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INSPIRATION 2014 #71: Have you ever found one of these ~ or do you even know what they are? Well, these are not just regular pincushions ~ they are considered Layette pincushions. I guess I wouldn't call them regular anyway as they are very hard to find and if found are usually very expensive. This type of pincushion was made in the 17th and 18th centuries ~ when pins were a much more important part of everyday life. As pins were used for fastening clothing, for sewing and for other needlework, pincushions were used more often too.

If you look carefully, you will notice that the designs are formed with pins ~ these were made as presents for a new mother and given after the child was born ~ giving a gift before the birth as we do today, was not the custom as many mothers and children did not survive childbirth. There was also a superstition that "For every pin a pain" and "More pins, more pain" would mean additional pain during childbirth, so another reason to wait until after the child was born. One more kind of collection I would love to have!