"Was a pincushion whose pins spelled out a welcome and a blessing to an impending baby a common possession of Victorian women?"

Apparently that was a Victorian custom:

Layette pincushion spelling out a welcoming blessing

Layette pincushion in the V&A Museum

"Was a pincushion whose pins spelled out a welcome and a blessing to an impending baby a common possession of Victorian women?"

Apparently that was a Victorian custom:

Layette pincushion spelling out a welcoming blessing

Layette pincushion in the V&A Museum