This 1906 pincushion craft takes on the form of an umbrella and is made to hang. Women of the past kept pincushions in just about every room in the home. In the bedroom, they might have had a pincushion hanging off their mirror frame and another pincushion hanging where the husband would get dressed in the morning.
Shaped Lika an Umbrella
Pincushion Made of Old Pieces of Silks and Velvet
A pretty, and at the same time durable, pincushion may be made in the form of an umbrella. It will, perhaps, meet the needs of those who when renewing their toilet table accessories, want to use up old pieces of silk and velvet. Its shape makes it particularly suitable for hanging upon the mirror frame.
To construct, obtain first of all a wooden stick (such as a pen holder), upon the end of which fix with a glass or colored bead, and stick this through the center of a circular pincushion.
Then cut out 16 triangular pieces of cardboard to form the folds of the umbrella, and cover each one on both sides with silk, velvet, or any convenient material.
Then sew them together as in the diagram, taking care to keep the ends as close together as possible, and bind them firmly round the stick with a band of narrow ribbon to form the ferrule.
Attach the umbrella to the cushion firmly with glue or strong thread, and finish each point with a fancy pin of some kind.
The alternate folds might be of contrasting shades; but it would look better to keep to one color for the outside and another for the lining.
The cushion should be of the same tint as the latter. Finish with a bow of ribbon tied to the handle.
Source: The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]), 28 Dec. 1906.
