Old-fashioned pin cushions are actually a pain in the, ‘er, butt. To put away my pins, I need to focus on pushing each one in to the classic stuffed tomato, which takes too much time and effort.

I was sewing one day, frustrated by the classic pin cushion’s flawed design when a small magnet happened to be in my field of view. (Incredibly useful, magnets are all over my space, stealthily holding things in place)…

I slowly pushed the magnet toward some pins, testing out the mysterious threshold of change, the distance at which the magnet would suddenly attract pins…

…

Yes!

For me it’s a way better pin cushion; it holds more pins in less space and is way cooler looking. Since the pins flex, I haven’t had any problems with being stuck, though I do handle it gently, using it as a built-in mindfulness sparker.  (Eventually I discovered that if I just aim the pin point at the magnet, it leaps to the magnet, leaving the stubby end out.)

And when the evening light catches it, it makes a lovely little sculpture…