[#5] [#4] Flat-quilted pincushions Possibly made by or for Amy Burningham (1708-77), Hampshire 1740s Celebrating the birth of Amy Burningham's son Henry, these pincushions were handed down to the first-born son of every generation, eventually coming into the possession of Henry's great-great granddaughter Mary. Pincushions were customary presents to a new mother. They were given after the baby arrived, as there was a superstition that given before, they could increase the pain felt by the mother during birth. Silk V&A:T.37, 38-1969 [20th March 2010] The eighteenth century home of the Burninghams was Hussey's farm. Henry's son, Thomas Burningham, became a wealthy landowner, and built Froyle House near Alton, Hamptonshire. The estate extended to nearly 1050 acres, including gardens, parkland, woodland, five farms, small holdings and cottages. Most of the household contents remained in the family until the mid-nineteenth century. Pincushions in the eighteenth century were both functional and decorative items. They had been in general household use from at least the sixteenth century, and were popular as courting and wedding presents, as well as New Year's gifts. The methods used to create them varied. Flat-quilting is where two pieces of cloth are stitched together with no wadding in between. A single or double line of stitching creates the pattern. Pincushions were also customary presents for a new mother, and frequently filled with pins that enhanced the stitched design or spelled out poignant messages. Wishes of good health were common at a time when infant mortality rates were still high. Such pincushions were presented after the baby arrived, as there was a superstition that if given before, they could increase the pain felt by the mother during birth. Square pin cushion of cream silk satin. The top is flat-quilted in running stitch in cream silk thread. A square is set on point at the centre, and the remainder of the ground is divided into a grid of small diamonds. Within the central square are a circle and four squares, all further divided with geometric patterns. The pincushion originally contained pins in each of the diamonds, but these are all missing. The edges are trimmed with a silk fringe and fly braid. Square pin cushion of quilted silk satin, England, 1725-1750