This is how I learned to pin when I was 10 years old (above). The problem with this is that sometimes I'd hit the pin with the needle, and that can really mess up the machine.
Recently I visited Jackie of
CV Quiltworks and noticed that she pins like this (above). She probably removes the pin before sewing over it.
Now I pin like this. It works just as well, and I don't hit the pin. Why didn't I think of that years ago? How do you pin? Pin pointing to the right, pointing to the left, pointing forward like me, or some other way?
I try not to pin, but when I do need to the vertical way is how I do it too.
ReplyDeleteI pin the way Jackie does! I don't want to EVER sew over a pin! I must admit, I don't always pin... and when I do, it's usually where two seams meet.... but as I "mature" and develop "patience"!!! I find that my quilts come out much better when I pin! Do I love to pin? (hah!!!!!) NO!
ReplyDeleteSame here, I pin like Jackie. I use glass head bridal pins for all of my piecing and fork pins for butting up two seams. Both pins can be sewn over, although I do remove the bridal pins sometimes if it looks like the needle will hit it bang on! Fork pins are superfine and are meant to be sewn over so the seam does not shift.
ReplyDeleteI guess it would depend on whether you are left handed or right handed. As I'm a righty, I prefer the pin head to be where I can pick it up easily.
Why didn't someone show me this sooner - thanks for the tip - I pin when I have to, prefer not to and sometimes sew over pins - new method fabulous!!! Happy stitching!
ReplyDeleteI pin like you in the first picture but not as close to the edge so the pin don't go under the foot and you don't hit them with the needle.
ReplyDeletecheers
Christine
I'm a random pinner, although I've never pinned vertically. Good idea that I'll have to try.
ReplyDeleteI don't pin very often, but when I do pin I pin like Jackie!!
ReplyDeleteI pin like Jackie and remove the pin before getting to it. I used to sew over them but once the needle bent the pin and caught it in the throat plate...well it was an ugly mess. Your new way to pin makes so much sense.
ReplyDeleteI pin like Jackie but I have tried doing it the way you are now doing it and I like it!!!!
ReplyDeleteI solve the pin problem by rarely ever pinning, but when I do it is like your first picture and I take them out before I get to them. It is funny as a friend and I just got into this discussion the other night. She pins a lot and pins like Jackie.
ReplyDeleteHe, he, I pin like me! I was taught that way and remove them before I get to the needle. I think I was taught that way because I am right handed and it is easier to remove the pin with your right hand if the head is in that direction.
ReplyDeleteIf I need to match points, I pin like the first photo. I use thin enough pins, so if I accidentally hit one, nothing breaks. I pin borders like photo 3.
ReplyDeleteWow I have done it both ways like in the first 2 pcitures, but now I think I will try your new way!! Love the example shots!
ReplyDeleteAre you left-handed, that you learned to pin with the pin head on the left? I learned to do it with the pin head on the right (right-handed), and to never, never stitch over the pin. Anyway, when I'm working with cotton on cotton, I rarely use pins.
ReplyDeleteI was told by a teacher to never, ever run over a pin while sewing as it ruins the timing of the stitch and you have to get your machine timed more often. So, I hardly ever pin. When I do I always stop to remove the pins as I get to them. Think I'm going to try the sideways pinning, looks like a great way!
ReplyDeletePins? We're supposed to use pins?
ReplyDeleteIt depends on what I'm working on. When I'm sewing on binding I tend to put the pin left because it holds the fabric better. Most often it's with the pin the right for piecing. Now for sewing down raw edge applique I tend to put the pins in the middle of the piece I'm sewing around.
ReplyDeleteGreat question! I'll be back to read more answers.
Of course, I love when I don't have to pin at all!!!
I pin like you pin but i have the end of the pin just come through at the quarter inch mark. That way if the needle hits it, it is just the very tip of the pin and usually slides off. All I really want to make sure is that I match at that quarter inch mark anyways.
ReplyDeleteYep, I pin like Jackie and take them out. It's certainly slower that way than when I don't pin at all, but inevitably, neater. I'll give your way a try, though!
ReplyDeleteNope I never pin. I use dots of elmer's washable school glue to hold everything in place. glue, press, sew
ReplyDeletehttp://sandyquilts.blogspot.com/2008/05/elmers-washable-school-glue-and-quilts.html
I pin the way Jackie does, when I need to pin. A broken needle flew up and hit the side of my face once and there were no pins involved. I'm not taking any chances, I remove those pins before they get close to the needle.
ReplyDeleteI pin the way you did in the first picture. I think it's an ingrained habit now and will be very hard to break if I tried to.
ReplyDeleteI pin like Jackie, that way I can secure seam allowances on the underside that are point 'up' so they don't get flipped by the feed dogs, and still pull the pins before sewing over them.
ReplyDeleteIf I pin I do it the same as Jackie. I never sew over pins, it is bad for your machine and can break the pin/needle and fly up into your face. I wear glasses, but I don't want to have to use safety glasses. It is just too expensive to repair the machine or worse me.
ReplyDeleteI put my pins on the side that will be up... and the head of the pin hanging off the edge... does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteI pin like Jackie, I too dont sew over pins, something I was taught not to do in school and our home ec teacher would GASP if someone did afraid of us tearing up the machines.
ReplyDeleteI pin like Jackie, too. After removing a pin, I can use a stiletto for extra control. I also occasionally use basting tape, a double-sided sticky tape, in the seam allowance for super control in critical situations. Don't have many of those, thank goodness.
ReplyDeleteLOVED reading the comments!! Ann-Marie was really funny!!
ReplyDeleteI stitch right over them, ka-thunk! Can't you hear my machine now?? Good thing it's an older mechanical machine that can take the abuse.
I use 2" flat head heat resistant pins (learned that lesson right quick) and I pin the way you now pin, just in from where I need to stitch. That way it doesn't matter what I'm doing the pin in my cushion is the right pin for the job.
ReplyDeletePinning is a basic act of piecing. I pin, and sometimes I break a needle. Hereinafter, I resolve to remove all pins or use the type of pin that you can swallow.Thanks for bringing up the topic - it is most critically basic.
ReplyDeleteI learned a very cool trick from someone who loves to match her points. Pin from the right, with the pin at a diagonal. The point of the pin points to the upper left, northwest. Then you can sew just up to the pin and remove it easily.
ReplyDeleteI pin like Jackie and pull the pin as I come to it....so does your way keep the layers from slipping and do you remember to remove the pin before it jabs you?
ReplyDeleteI have always been a huge pinner and can't break the habit....even when it probably wouldn't matter.
Happy Sewing
I pin from the right, like pic # 2, and remove before the machine goes over them (after breaking a few needles . . . ) but I'm thinking your method in pic #3 is much better!
ReplyDeleteI pin with the point facing the raw edges but far enough away that the needle won't hit it. I also pin it right before the seam. It seems to keep the seams lined up better.
ReplyDeleteI never pin and unfortunately my quilts look like I never pin. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen the hinged presser foot was introduced years(?) ago we thought its purpose was to "sew over pins" anyone else remember?
ReplyDeleteI was taught to pin like you were, back in the 1960s. Now I pin the same way, but I put the pin over further to the left so that it doesn't extend into the seam allowance. That way I won't run over it with the needle.
ReplyDelete