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Museum object · Tools and Equipment

Pincushion from a sewing basket from the Rock Rest Tourist Home

mid 20th century

Kittery, York County, Maine, United States, North and Central America

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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A pincushion found in a sewing basket from the Rock Rest Tourist Home. The pincushion (2011.12.9.2a) is small and rectangular in shape. The front features an embroidered design with several gradient purple flowers on connected, vine like stems, set against a tan, cotton background. The back is a single piece of plain, lavender cotton textile. The two sides are held together with green and purple threads closed in a decorative overcast stitch around all four edges. The front of the cushion holds various types of pins, needles, and other sewing findings that include: a silver tone [S] engraved stickpin (2011.12.9.2b), a large gauge sewing needle (2011.12.9.2c), a small gauge sewing needle with white thread (2011.12.9.2d), three safety pins (2011.12.9.2e), a pink pearl head pin (2011.12.9.2f), a white pearl head pin (2011.12.9.2g), a red head applique pin (2011.12.9.2h), a silver ball head pin (2011.12.9.2i), a chrome ball head pin (2011.12.9.2j), five silver dressmaker pins (2011.12.9.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2011.12.9.2a-o

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