PINNING FOR SEWING

Pinning your seams ensures you can move pieces around your sewing area without having them move, and pinning prevents pieces shifting as you sew. You want to pin your fabric perpendicular, or at a right angle, to the fabric. This means the pins hang off the edge of the fabric.

You can then stitch really close to the pin before removing it, and it is easy to see, so it’s unlikely you’ll accidentally stitch over it!

PINNING FOR CUTTING

If you are pinning your pattern pieces for cutting, you do not want them hanging over in the same way because you may end up cutting through them. In this case, pin parallel to the edge of your pattern pieces and save your blades from damage.

PINNING FOR OVERLOCKING

If you are pinning fabric together to sew though your overlocker or serger, avoid pinning perpendicular to each other, like you would on a sewing machine. The reason for this is that you tend to sew super fast with an overlocker, and it is very easy to forget about your pin until you sew over it, cutting it and probably blunting/destroying your blade! Pin as you would for cutting and remove them carefully after you having finished your sewing.

It is important to think about why you are pinning

PINNING FOR CURVES

When pinning a straight edge, use as many pins as you need to hold your layers together. However, when you pin curves, you will be pinning two pieces of fabric that want to move in opposite directions. This is where you will need lots more pins.

PINNING DRUNKARD’S PATH CURVES

This block is a fun one to use, but many people are put off by the intricacies of stitching it together. The solution is surprisingly simple – use plenty of pins. Start by marking the centre points of the curves and the quarter points (halfway between the edge and the newly marked centre). You can easily mark these points by folding each piece in half and fingerpressing a seam.

Start by marking the centre points of the curves and the quarter points (halfway between the edge and the newly marked centre). You can easily mark these points by folding each piece in half and fingerpressing a seam. Pin the centre points of the pieces, fabric side together, then pin the ends and the quarter segments

Gently ease the edges together until they match up and pin between the quarter segment and then between each of these pins too, just to be safe. You are then ready to stitch slowly around the fabric, removing the pins as you go.

PROTECT YOUR PINS

When you have a beautiful collection of pins, you want to look after them. The best way to do this is with a pincushion. You can make pincushions designed to keep your pins sharp by stuffing them with wire wool. Discard any of your pins if they get bent, unless you are keeping them separate to create a gorgeous display. A damaged pin can lead to damaged fabric. Look after your pins and they will look after you!

PRETTY PIN KEEPERS

• Bohin velvet pin cushion bracelet, £13.99
• Simplicity magnetic pin bowl, £11.99
• Prym kitty magnetic pin keeper, £5.49

Shop all pin cushions at CraftStash

CAN YOU SEW OVER PINS?

You can sew over pins most of the time, but you should really avoid hitting the pin for a number of reasons:

1. If you hit the pin, you will move it in the fabric, possibly tearing a bigger hole in your fabric.
2. Broken bits of pins and needles can go flying and get embedded in your project, the needle plate, the carpet, and, heaven forbid, you!
3. You can break your sewing machine needle too. I have even heard tales from a sewing machine servicer friend about people having to have the timing on their machines reset because they stitched over a pin. So avoid this costly mistake and take the pin out!

You can remove the pin a stitch or two before you reach it. This way your presser foot is on top of the fabric and is holding it in place on its own, therefore you can remove the pin without the fabric sliding.

FIND OUT MORE

Discover more about Sarah at www.sarahpayne.co.uk and keep up with her latest projects at www.sarahlpayne.blogspot.com

Love patchwork? Check out the Quilting & Patchwork Encyclopedia!

If you liked this, you might like...

Top 5 Ways to Make Patchwork Easy

Sustainable Sewing: 5 top tips for garment care

Beginner's Guide to Embroidery