Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Go to Page: 1 of 52 of 53 of 54 of 55 of 5

Which direction do you pin? Just told I have been doing it wrong for almost 40 years.
svetlana   Intermediate IL USA Member since 12/30/06 Posts: 355	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/16/11 8:00 PM I am not a beginner in garment sewing but I am in quilting. but I thought that a beginner could benefit from the answer to this question. Is there a "right" direction to pin? I was pinning pieces together in my quilting class and the instructor looked at my project and said that she hadn't seen anyone pin that way. I have always pinned with the pin at right angle to the seam line with the heads to the right. My sewing partner had never said anything to me, but she is totally left handed and used to having the way she does things look different from other folks. She sets her pins with the heads to the left. I am ambidextrous and just started pinning my way when I started sewing. Is there an advantage to pinning with heads pointing to the left.? Not an earth shattering question, but an inquiring mind wants to know. ------ Svetlana
AliceM Advanced IL USA Member since 4/30/05 Posts: 1550	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/16/11 8:05 PM None that I know of. Most of the time I pin vertically parallel with the seam line. Why? Thats just the way I do it and it works just fine.
Warbler   Advanced VT USA Member since 4/15/07 Posts: 2580	Login to reply to this post In reply to svetlana Like this post Date: 5/16/11 8:11 PM I don't think it matters if the pin heads go left or right and I do think it is based on whether one is left or right handed. I pin with the pins perpendicular to the seam with the heads to the left. It is easier for me to pull them from the seam before that section gets to the machine bed. If you sew with a serger, then the pins should be parallel to the edge and on the left side of the seam allowance, so they are nowhere near the needles or knife. I am so paranoid about hitting a pin with the knife, I never use pins when I serge seams. ------ Janome MC6600 Bernina 240 Juki MO735 Singer 201-2 Singer 221-1 Singer 15-91
CM_Sews Intermediate CA USA Member since 9/18/04 Posts: 1476	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/16/11 8:18 PM If you are concerned about sewing over pins, there is somewhat of an advantage in pinning 90-degrees to the seam line with the heads to the left, in that you can keep the "pointy" end of the pin completely removed from the actual stitch line and you can leave in the pins as you sew, and the needle won't hit the pins. In theory, anyway. Sometimes I do it this way; depends on the particular task I'm doing. I'm right-handed and usually pin the way you described: Right angle to the seam, with the heads to the right. The advantage is that it's easier for me to remove pins as I sew. I'm right-handed and the pin heads are facing into the harp of the machine. Easy to grab each pin as it approaches the needle and drop it into a bowl or onto a magnetic pin holder. The fabric is all to the left of the needle, so I'm not dragging pins across fabric as it's being sewn and perhaps pulling or distorting the seam line. Sometimes I pin parallel to the seam line, too. Depends what I'm doing. And, no, you're not doing it wrong and I'm amazed that the instructor has NEVER seen anybody pin 90-degrees on the seam line, pin heads to the right. CMC
GoSewGirl   Advanced NY USA Member since 4/14/04 Posts: 396	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/16/11 8:27 PM If you've been pinning your fabric a certain way for 40 years, it must be working for you! And who decided what was the *correct* way to pin? There is something very silly to me about the idea of *correct* pinning anyway. Really. I usually pin perpendicular to the seam line, with the heads of the pins facing the cut edge of the fabric. I'm right handed and I use that hand to remove them so I don't sew over them. I do this with my serger also. Sometimes I will pin parallel, on the seam line, and go in and out of the fabric twice, with pins nearly touching each other. This is what I call pin basting, and I use it when I want more control, sewing slippery fabrics, when making bras, etc. I don't know if it's *correct* or not, but I'm not too worried about it and it works well for me. So, I say, pin however you like and tell the sewing police to go pick on someone else! Edited to add: I agree with the above post that it's surprising that your instructor has never seen anyone pin like you. How old and/or experienced is the instructor? -- Edited on 5/16/11 8:31 PM -- ------ Liz
tourist   Intermediate BC CANADA Member since 7/23/07 Posts: 5417	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/16/11 8:28 PM I pin that way all the time. I recall being taught to pin parallel to the sewing line for hemming, but other than that, it was at right angles and I have no recollection of direction. ------ http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
Michelle L   Intermediate MO USA Member since 1/20/08 Posts: 1293	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/16/11 8:38 PM Confession time....my grandmother taught me to pin perpendicular to the seam because it was easier to sew over the pins that way. I had never even heard that you shouldn't sew over pins until I joined this board. I still only remember to take them out before I get to them maybe 1/3 of the time. ------ Michelle http://cheapandpicky.blogspot.com/
bestgrammy OR USA Member since 8/29/06 Posts: 2318	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/16/11 9:10 PM I've seen and used all the various ways of pinning that has been mentioned...but never ever heard that there is only one way that is the "correct' way and all the other ways are "wrong". Does the instructor have a dictator-type personality?
AnneM Intermediate MA USA Member since 7/30/02 Posts: 6556	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/16/11 9:14 PM I most often like to pin with the head off the fabric, which would generally mean to the right of the direction I am sewing. I find it easier to pull the pin out while sewing that way, since the head is in the air, not on the fabric. If I am going to sew over my pins, I'd want to do it the other way - head to the left. Not that I would ever sew over my pins. ------ With a great wardrobe that's still in the flat-fabric stage.
solosmocker Advanced NY USA Member since 1/23/06 Posts: 1256	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/16/11 9:19 PM Most of the time I do it exactly like you do. What I would like to know is what is the instructor's method of pinning? Sounds like she might be in the minority around here. ------ http://lasewist.blogspot.com/

Go to Page: 1 of 52 of 53 of 54 of 55 of 5

Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Printable Version

* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.