Casgliadau Arlein

Decorative pin cushion in the shape of a six pointed star, made using pieces of fulled wool, of the type used for military uniforms.The top side is constructed diamond shaped patches of red, grey, brown and navy wool approx 3cm long and 1.5cm wide. They are arranged with the points coming out from the centre and sewn together with an overstitch using a light brown cotton thread 2 Z spun S plied. The sides of the diamond patches are lined with black and transparent glass beads secured with steel pins. The cushion is firmly stuffed with loose un-dyed wool and backed with dark brown fulled wool, the back is made from 3 pieces, 1 large and 2 smaller sections forming two of the stars points attached with overstitch. There is a slash in the back which was presumably made to add the stuffing. The slash is sewn up with a doubled thread (the same as used for the patchwork) using an insertion stitch. The edges of the star are sewn with an over stitch using the same light brown thread, there is also a tacking stitch made along the join using a different light brown cotton thread 4 Z spun S piled.

This star-shaped patchwork pincushion was made by the donor’s great-aunt in about 1880. Pincushions of this period were often decorated with beads, pins or sequins.