Shaker Box Pincushion - Black with Printed Pattern

I made this oval pincushion by hand using my #00 Shaker form and templates. The sides are maple, the black fabric is a strong quilting cotton, and the inside stuffing is made with batting with a fine steel wool centre to help you keep your pins sharp. At 2.75" long, this is one of my tiniest offerings, and it is an adorable companion when you're sewing. As with my full-size boxes, the hand finish gives it a soft and durable sheen. Made by me in Toronto.

The overall pincushion size is 2.75" long, 1.75" wide, and about 2" tall. The oval shape, gothic swallowtail fingers, and hardwax oil finish of this traditional Shaker box make it a beautiful and unique way to hold your pins.

More about the process:

After milling and preparing the material, which is sourced responsibly from high-quality wood from local studios, I cut each swallowtail finger with a knife. The sides of the box and lid are soaked and bent around a form, following the Shakers' traditional methods, and the fingers tacked in place with fine copper nails. After a 24-hour drying period, the bottom is fitted and glued in place, and I am ready to add the finishing wax to the outside. Finally, I cut and tack the cushion into the shell.

My environmental values:

All of my Shaker boxes are made from responsibly-sourced wood given a second life—I buy short boards of North American maple, walnut, and cherry from other wood studios that aren't able to use such small pieces. By the magic that is water, heat, and traditional woodbending, these are turned into reproduction Shaker boxes.