I never set out to reinvent the sewing pin. I just wanted to make sewing feel easier for more people.
A few years ago, I noticed something interesting. When people were buying our Magnetic Pin Cushion Wristbands, I started getting messages like, “These are a game-changer for my arthritic hands” or “I bought this magnet pin cushion for my mum who has arthritis but she loves to sew and she loves it” and “So much easier than fiddling with a traditional pin cushion.”
It made me stop and think. If inserting a pin into a traditional cushion is difficult for some people—because of pain, mobility, or reduced dexterity—then surely the pins themselves are also a problem. Tiny heads. Slippery plastic. Awkward to grip. Why hadn’t anyone designed pins that were actually comfortable to hold? Why hadn’t anyone created larger, softer, easier-to-hold pinheads? Something grippy. Something that felt good in your hand.
It seemed so simple. So obvious. And yet... it didn’t exist.
From Sleep-Deprived Sketches to Silicone Solutions
The idea for SiliPins started forming in the haze of newborn life—sleep-deprived, juggling three kids, but fuelled by the kind of creative energy that doesn’t let go.
At the time, I was in the trenches of early motherhood. I had just had my third baby, and life was a constant rotation of feeding, settling, sleepless nights, lunchboxes, school runs and survival. My business was still relatively young and growing, and I was doing my best to keep up with everything: customer emails, product development, inventory management, marketing, and the never-ending to-do list that comes with running a small business and a household and being there for my husband who runs his own business as well.
Most days felt overwhelming and I had many Zoom meetings whilst holding my new born daughter in my lap, or having her sleep on the bed or the table while I worked.
Baby Penny keeping me company while I worked; and asleep on the table whilst my husband and I worked (while we were on holidays!)
But even in the thick of it, the idea for SiliPins kept nudging at me. I'd find myself jotting notes down, sketching pinhead shapes between nap time and school pick-ups, and talking through the concept with anyone who would listen. Every conversation lit me up. Because every person I spoke to seemed to have the same reaction: Why doesn’t this already exist?
I didn’t want to let it go.
Working with a newborn in my lap while the older children are at school; and attending a conference in Sydney with newborn Penny and a broken foot!
Industrial design was a whole new world for me. I didn’t even know where to start, but I knew I needed help turning my idea into something real. I interviewed multiple designers before finally connecting with an incredible woman who just got it. She understood the vision right away.
Product design mood board and metal pins that helped spark ideas and inspiration
I handed her my mood boards, rough sketches, and a brain full of half-finished ideas, and over the next eight months, we brought SiliPins to life, one prototype at a time. We tested grip, size, shape, comfort, aesthetics. We tweaked the silicone softness. We went back and forth until we landed on the final design. Something modern. Functional. And most importantly, something that made sewing feel better.
3D printed prototypes and getting closer to the final design
The Pin That Took Forever to Find
Designing the head was one thing. But sourcing the perfect pin? That was a journey all its own.
I needed a pin that was:
- Strong
- Ultra sharp
- Rust-resistant
- Made from magnetic stainless steel (because not all pins are, and yes, that’s why some don’t work with your magnetic pin cushion but that’s a blog post for another time)
- The right length and width
Testing silicone colours and metal shaft lengths
Turns out, this specific combination was hard to find and sourcing the right one took months (and months) of back and forth. At one point, the whole project stalled. I questioned whether I had the energy to make it all come together.
But deep down, I knew this mattered. With the support of people around me and a reignited determination, I picked it back up.
Why Silicone?
Choosing BPA-free silicone for the pinhead was an easy decision. It’s soft to the touch, which makes it easier and more comfortable to grip. It’s also heat-resistant, which means you can safely press right over the pins without worrying about melting or distortion. And of course, it’s durable and long-lasting, making it a more sustainable alternative to plastic.
Luckily, I already had a trusted silicone supplier from our Magnetic Pin Cushion Wristbands. Together, we created the SiliPins moulds, tested different thickness of silicone, refined the process, and worked through (many more) prototypes until it was finally right.
Testing first stage 3D printed prototype; hand drawing logo to show manufacturer how it should look; and quality control ensuring length is correct before final sign off.
Three Years Later…
SiliPins are now real. They’re here.
And I couldn’t be prouder.
This project took over three years. It’s been a huge investment of time, energy, and yes—money. All while running a business, raising three kids, and ensuring I show up for my family and husband’s business too. It’s been full-on.
But I believe SiliPins will make a genuine difference.
They were originally designed for people with arthritis, mobility challenges, hand fatigue, or tremors but through the design and development process we knew they’d be beneficial for everyone who sews and now we’re hearing from all kinds of makers, kids learning to sew, beginners building confidence, professional sewers who need speed and efficiency. The initial feedback that we’ve received is these pins are a joy to use!
They’re soft. They’re sharp. They’re inclusive by design.
And they just make sewing… smoother.
I'd Love to Hear From You
If you give SiliPins a try, I’d love to hear what you think. Your feedback helps us to improve and continue to design tools that feel good in your hands and make your sewing time more enjoyable.
Email me any time at zoe@sewyourway.com.au.
Let’s build a more thoughtful, inclusive, and joyful sewing world together.
With love,
Zoe x
Founder, Sew Your Way