How to Choose Sewing Pins

Sewing pins are an essential tool for holding fabric together. Choosing the right type and size of pin can help make your sewing easier. Pins come in a variety of lengths, diameters and styles. Some even have decorative heads, such as flower shapes, or come in different colors so that you can color-code your projects (like by using one color of pin for the front and one for the back so that you can easily tell them apart). You can find sewing pins in the notion section of most fabric stores; you can also order a wide variety of pins online.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric store

Choose Sewing Pins

1. For most sewing needs, choose pins that are about 1-1/16" to 1-1/4" long and have heads that are easy to grab ahold of. Many sewing pins sold in fabric stores have rounded, colored plastic heads that are much easier to grasp than small metal heads. The large colored heads also make the pins easier to see as you’re sewing.

2. For small sewing projects, such as postage stamp quilt pieces and doll clothes, you may want to use smaller pins, sometimes called appliqué pins, that are about 3/4" to 1" long. These pins are also available with colored plastic heads that make them easier to work with.

3. For quilting, choose extra-long pins of about 1-3/8" to 1-3/4", with rounded plastic heads and extra-strong shafts. Long pins make it easier to pin through several layers of fabric and batting, which is useful in pinning a blanket for quilting.

4. For silk and delicate fabrics, choose pins made especially for silk. These pins have extra-fine shafts and sharp points, so they’ll glide through the fabric without leaving holes.

5. Use safety pins for turning strips of fabric right-side out, and for holding quilts together. You may want to buy a pack of safety pins in a variety of sizes, so that you’ll always have what you need. Curved safety pins are useful for pinning quilts, since they’re easier to insert.

Tips & Warnings

• To store your pins, you’ll want to use a pincushion. This makes the pins much easier to access than if you stored them in a box. You can buy a variety of plain and decorative pincushions at fabric stores, including magnetized pin holders and pincushions that strap onto your wrist. Or you can make your own.
• Keeping your pins sharp and in good shape will help making your sewing easier. Discard pins and replace them when the pins get dull or bent.
• Be careful when working with pins. If you drop a pin, you may want to use a magnet to help find it.