While looking at Biscornu designs by cuties it occurred to me that unless I am mistaken you could use any quilt block design to make one. Since I don't quilt but downloaded a lot of quilt block designs I have lots. Is my thinking right? I am not familiar with them. What do I stuff them with other than batting and would one of those copper scrubby things for pots and pans be good inside to keep pins sharp or not? Just ideas that pop in my head when I just woke up and am not thinking straight yet. Ideas from anyone? Thanks for reading and any tips! Hugs, Debra

Biscornus are great fun to make.... ask Aussie Lyn (mi30kaja), our Biscornu Queen.
You can use any balanced, as in square, design but I believe the original biscornus were stitched in red cross-stitch patterns as in a true European style.

I'd just been viewing the sets of redwork quilt blocks for $3/set at Stitch Delight ... http://www.stitchdelight.net/prod... .... for one example, with a plan to make some biscornu tops to make pincushions for my friends at the up-coming quilt camp, when I saw your message.
I had planned to deviate a little and sew the tops onto plain darker bottoms.... 1) to save time .. and .. 2) to save the worry of getting the bottom stitched design grubby. This probably would make the end result not a true biscornu but that doesn't worry me.... I'm normally outside the square anyway.

Thanks for asking this question as the answers regarding the fillings are very interesting.

I rather think the 4x4 size biscornus attached to wide elastic would make excellent wrist pin cushions.
AlmaG.

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by leenova54 23 Jul 2012

All good ideas! Since I can only do 4x4 the ones I have in my files should give me plenty of ideas. Just gotta go back in and find the directions, lol. I know about starting one square corner in the center of the next side but not sure if they can be sewn from inside till you get to the last side.

I've been thinking on the same lines as you with the quilt blocks. Haven't tried many yet though. I use the border from a biscornu design added round the edge.
And rather than the copper scrubby which I think would be too coarse - try fine steelo (just not the soap filled kind!) You can get very fine steel wool from the hardware store. Mine is by Briwax and 0000grade. It is used for furniture finishing. I put it in the bottom of my biscornu and if I want to shine my pins I stick them in the bottom a few times :)

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by leenova54 23 Jul 2012

I think I have some in the basement from when I refinished an end table. Man you girls are good!!

Debra,At your local Harbor Freight you can find the crushed walnuts and the loose sanding sand (in LB bags). This is sometimes called emery sand. At HF it retails for a lot less than at quilt store. I would send you pictures but someone pinched my camera, now I have to find a cheapie. Stella

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by leenova54 23 Jul 2012

Wow, we have a Harbor Freight just down the road a bit, I'll stop there for emery sand and maybe my Mom will get one for Christmas too!

Hi, Debra. I am not sure how to make them, but there are some wonderful answers here and I will also try one. Hope yours turn out to be lovely. Have a lovely day.****

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by leenova54 23 Jul 2012

Ah, I am a simple woman with simple wants, lol! All that simple stuff is too expensive too!

You have your answers from some of the best - so I will just wish you a great day and leave you with a * and a HUG.

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by leenova54 23 Jul 2012

Thanks Shirlene. Here is how bad I am, I had $20 Kohl's cash to spend today and it took me 2 hours to finally decide on a bathroom rug and towels that were already cheap, so they were free!

Any square design will work but you will be happier if all 4 quatrants are alike or similar. I stitched one with a different cross stitch owl in each corner and pumpkins on the bottom piece.

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by leenova54 23 Jul 2012

Thanks for the tips.

Thanks for asking I have been wondering the same thing myself. I did make a couple of the Biscornu from the free ones on cuties and they turn out lovely. I stuff mine with sand blasting sand that was suggested to me by a lady from our quilt store and that works fine. I found mine at Trator Supply Store. Let us know how the quilting designs work out. Hugs & Stitches, Liz

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by eteaff 23 Jul 2012

Thats Tractor Supply Store. Sometimes my fingers go faster than my brain. LOL

by leenova54 23 Jul 2012

Considering how long it takes me to start anything I might have one done by Christmas!

Of course they can, especially if they have interesting corners.

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by leenova54 23 Jul 2012

I'll be looking for my favorite in my designs. Cuties have given me so many!

Debra ,What a great idea

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by leenova54 23 Jul 2012

Thanks, I don't hit one often but now and then, lol!

Of course you can! It does help if they have a bold square outine, then you can stitch them up from the outside and get nice crisp corners.

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by leenova54 23 Jul 2012

That's what I thought. Already done in perfect squares.

Hi Debra, I love this idea! I have made pincushions using felt, which gets so dirty. I have some rock polishing sand which I would use if I could put a thin layer on top. Maybe use a lining or some kind of center. They used to put this stuff in them along with sawdust. Live Laugh Download Stitch!

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by leenova54 23 Jul 2012

Thanks, I have an old "Tomato" pin cushion that has been hanging around for years, could empty it!

I would think any design would work. You could try the scrubbies but I think they might wear the fabric and cause holes. However, by that time you may be ready for a new version anyway! How about trying sand (very dry).

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by leenova54 23 Jul 2012

Didn't think of that, thanks!