Do you have this tomato pincushion? Ever wonder what the little strawberry is for?

The little strawberry attached to the tomato pincushion is filled with emery powder and, similar to an emery board for filing your nails, the gently abrasive powder removes burrs from the tips of sewing needles and pins.

Why a TOMATO??

The ever popular tomato pincushion is said to have its roots in the Victorian Era when homeowners would put a fresh tomato on their mantel to guarantee prosperity by repelling evil spirits. When tomatoes were out of season it is believed families would improvise with a red fabric covered ball filled with sawdust or sand which then became a place to store pins. Although this history can’t be officially verified, it is interesting to imagine where this little tomato originated.