Let’s talk pins! We will look at three common pins used in sewing: silk pins, glass head pins, and quilting pins. Sometimes we just need a pin quickly, and mostly any pin will do. However, when we are planning a garment sewing project, glass head pins are almost always the best pins for the job. Let’s explore everything you need to know about pins.
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Pin Types
Dritz 3009 Quilting Pins, 1-3/4-Inch, Yellow (500-Count)![""]("//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sewwhatsfabul-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B001UAM3UY")
” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener nofollow”>Quilting pins have a long, thick shaft which can leave holes, marks, and pulls in your delicate fashion fabrics. While perfect for pinning through multiple layers that are common in quilting, they are not the best choice for garment sewing.
Silk pins with their narrow shaft are short, 1 1/16 of an inch or smaller with a small head, can be difficult to hold. They do not have a super sharp point. They can be troublesome to pin through some tightly woven fabrics and can damage your fashion fabric.
Glass head pins are perfect for almost every garment sewing project on your to-do list. They have a fairly narrow shaft and a sharp point making them the perfect choice for pinning pieces together. They are 1 3/8 inches long with a ball head making them easy to grasp. The long length helps to hold your edges together for seaming.
Pinning Tip
Make sure you pin perpendicular to your seam. You will get a better hold and it will be easier to keep your seam allowances matched up. Additionally, you can pull them fairly quickly as you sew along the seam. Also you can baste with them in the fabric if they are perpendicular to the edge.
Proper Pinning
Proper pinning and selecting the right pin for your project will make your sewing project more enjoyable. It will also lead to a more successful sew – no pin suck in your machine, edges stay put better, and they won’t ruin your gorgeous fabrics.
Everything you need to know about pins doesn’t need to overwhelming. Just stick to glass head pins and you’ll do great!
Happy Sewing,
Sandi Barrett
I prefer quilter pins for all my sewing needs and have been using them for sixty years. The pins with smaller heads are always harder to get out of hems and such so I don’t use them unless that is all I can find.
I had no idea there was a difference between pins! You have such valuable info!
Glass head pins…interesting. Thanks for sharing your expert tips!
I had no idea there were different types of pins. This was very interesting to learn. Thanks for sharing.
Another point, pressing as you sew makes a huge difference in the completed project, and glass head pins don’t melt when ironed. <3
Great information! I honestly didn’t know there were different types of pins to use while sewing!
This is great information! I would not have known about the different types of pins!
Great tips! You always give the best advice!
I didn’t realize there were so many different pins and that they were actually used for different processes.
Good tips. I never realized how much pins differed.
I appreciate your information, while I haven’t done much sewing or needle work in a long time, this was a very helpful refresher course.
Great info! So overwhelming going through older sewing kits wondering what everything should be used for!
I’ve always wondered why there were different pins. Good to know what they are used for!
I use glass head pins for my quilting and sewing projects. Thank you for the breakdown!
Super helpful info. I personally prefer longer/quilting pins.
ooh good info. I always wondered what the difference was and how to utilize each pin optimally. Thanks for sharing.
Very cool! I don’t know anything about sewing so I love these tips!
I don’t always remember to pin perpendicular to the seam. But now I will!
Funny – when I read the title, I thought, “Oh, good! Info about Pinterest!”
As a former embroiderer and quilter, and sewing of easy things like drapes – I appreciate your insights about pins. I used to have my grandmother’s old pin cushion shaped like a tomato – remember those? Are they still around?
I do remember the tomatoes and I see many students with their grandmothers tools and pincushions.
I didn’t know there was so much to pinning. I usually just stick them in the fabric and hope for the best! This is great info though and I’ll be using pins differently in the future!
Great lesson on pinning! My great aunt was a seamstress and showed me how to pin when I was quite young. I inherited her old Singer when she passed. I’m hoping my daughter will use it someday!
Great info! I know the importance of pinning. I used to sew most of my clothes and clothes and toys for my kids. And my mom is still an excellent seamstress. I have such vivid memories of her from my childhood, with pins held in her mouth!
I know nothing about sewing, so posts like these are really helpful!