Comments on: To pin or not to pin

By: Lisa Bloodgood

Lisa Bloodgood — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:24:47 +0000

Lately I’ve only used pins in sewing to match the starting point of each piece to the other one. I use 2 pins so it doesn’t rotate, but don’t pin other than that unless it’s something super slippery or troublesome.

By: Pattern Puzzle: Bonkuk Koo

Pattern Puzzle: Bonkuk Koo — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:30:41 +0000

[...] Alternative title: Pattern puzzle: the pinning and praying edition, but not praying because you’re pinning but pinning because you’re praying. Oh bother, that makes no sense either, it’s just not this. [...]

By: Phyllis Carlyle

Phyllis Carlyle — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:50:47 +0000

While I agree that fewer or no pins are better, your example shows a bad way to pin: parallel to the edges and too many of them. I was taught in my textiles and apparel construction classes to pin into the corners and perpendicular to the edges to avoid the very problem you are illustrating.

Of course, in the industry, they use oaktag traced or marker drawn patterns, so pins are neither used nor needed. Now that I use computer printer paper patterns for my custome sewing, I only use 2-4 pins to hold each piece in place. If I was using tissue patterns, I might add a few more. With my cutting table against the wall, I prefer not to use weights.

Phyllis Carlyle
M.S. and B.S. Textiles & Apparel
Former patternmaker/designer

P.S. This website is great.

By: I.D. and O.D.

I.D. and O.D. — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:44:52 +0000

[...] Forum « To pin or not to pin Vanity sizing: generational edition [...]

By: Karen Hart

Karen Hart — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 23:16:55 +0000

I use cat food cans as weights,they’re perfect and I (almost) always have a dozen on hand

By: kate setzer kamphausen

kate setzer kamphausen — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 04:57:57 +0000

For weights, I use antique/vintage irons. They have a handle, are well-balanced, are perfectly smooth on the one side, and cost me $11 for three irons! Got the idea from my patternmaking teacher, who uses irons for weights in her own studio, and kept an eye peeled forever after in vintage/junk shops. I highly recommend them!

By: Oxanna

Oxanna — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 03:50:09 +0000

I pop in again and there’s a wealth of posts.

All of this is very interesting. When I first started sewing, I used pins by the dozen. Now, I use them far less, and I’ve changed my method of pinning. Obviously, pinning along the length of the pattern (in-and-out) was too time-consuming and it shifted the fabric. So I just stuck the pins in straight through the pattern, fabric, and cardboard mat. This works far better, but not as well as pattern weights. Which I should go buy, actually, instead of grabbing half-full lotion bottles and rolls of heavy tape. (Anwen: I’ve discovered that shears make *excellent* pattern weights! ;D)

By: Nancy W

Nancy W — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:49:56 +0000

Very interesting. When I used to sew in a previous life, I pinned incessantly. Now, I rarely use pins, although I have them in all weights and lengths. I use them sparingly, but often use them to mark “match points” Thanks for the visual on the length differences. For cutting, I use weights and a rotary cutter most of the time; however, lately I’m becoming reacquainted with my shears.

By: Alesia

Alesia — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:42:10 +0000

This is interesting and timely; I’m making an evening dress from a late 19teens/early 1920’s Butterick pattern and it illustrates where to place weights for cutting!! So what did I do- I went out and bought weights to use and a rotary cutter. Great article.

By: Anwen

Anwen — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:03:26 +0000

This is fascinating! I do use pins, but very sparingly (a couple on the grainline when I have made sure the stupid damn pattern is on the stinking grainline, one in each corner) and I am always somewhat obsessive about making sure that the pattern and fabric still lie flat – if the fabric is inconsistent with that aim (e.g. very bulky) then I remove all but the damn grainline pins* and go for weights only. Well, I say weights, I mostly mean random bits of flotsam and jetsam grabbed from nearby shelves, such as 10p pieces, my mobile phone and (if I’m really not thinking straight) my, er, rotary cutter…

*yes, this may perhaps be a sign of addictive behaviour, or something… just, you know, once I have managed to get the pattern straight, I daren’t risk it escaping!