Thread: Reminder about sewing over pins

I thought I never sewed over pins...hum...but I had to have at least once. I had my yearly tune up on my Bernina 153 in April.

I had only been sewing straight stitch, then I wanted to do a zig zag and stitches were not showing up on the right side of the stitch.

We took my machine in this morning and timing was off - I was told I had to have sewn over a pin and nicked the needle thus throwing off the timing...good news all fixed and only a $25.00 service charge..great LQS (Sun Valley Quilts - Sun City, AZ) glad I purchased my machine there years ago now. I am back in business

Yes, I purchased fabric, a charm pack, marking pen and template plastic.. That is the way it goes

Judy in Phx, AZ

Well you probably hit something but not necessarily a pin. If you have been doing a lot of FMQing you can clip the needle plate if the needle is pulled slightly off from quilt drag. Glad you are all fixed up.

I feel your pain. I accidentally sewed over a safety pin that was sandwiched inside the center of my tablerunner. It too me half an hour to remove the pin w/needle nose pliers to wiggle it out.
My Babylock Symphony is only 6 months old so I was afraid I broke it. I ended up removing the throat plate (after a little oil ) then totally cleaned out all the fuzz balls inside. New needle , replace the walking foot and test stitch. Luckily both machine and tablerunner saved. You can be sure I will be checking work more carefully before I quilt again.

Guess I have been really lucky in my sewing life. I sew over pins all the time and other than the odd broken needle, have never had any other issues. Glad your situation worked out so well.

Originally Posted by NJ Quilter

Guess I have been really lucky in my sewing life. I sew over pins all the time and other than the odd broken needle, have never had any other issues. Glad your situation worked out so well.

Same here. I've always sewn over pins with no more issues than a bent pin or a broken needle.

Cari

Originally Posted by cathyvv

I think the mechanical machines are less prone to damage when sewing over a pin. It's those new-fangled computerized machines that can't take it.

I think you're right - I'm pretty sure I've even seen vintage sewing machine manuals that instruct you to sew over pins.

I am in the habit of NOT doing that, though, ever since I broke a needle doing that as a teenager - thankfully I was being good and wearing my glasses because I heard the broken-off needle tip go "click!" against my lens when it broke! Yikes!

I use clover clips and glue now anyway, about 90% of the time. I bleed a lot less that way! LOL

My Bernina 710 is going in for its 1st check up in Oct. I have a cert. for 1st maint. check free but on the cert. it says the value is $195.

Originally Posted by Sewnoma

I think you're right - I'm pretty sure I've even seen vintage sewing machine manuals that instruct you to sew over pins.

The hinged presser foot on all machines today was invented for sewing over pins and seams.

Cari

Originally Posted by cathyvv

I think the mechanical machines are less prone to damage when sewing over a pin. It's those new-fangled computerized machines that can't take it.

But what would I do without mine?

I have both, by the way, and use both. Leaning more and more to the mechanicals for piecing. If only they had automatic thread cutters!!!

Just what I was thinking. I'm glad I have both. I do like the computerized features on my Brother 450Q but also love my old Singers, including my Touch 'n Sew, which despite their reputation, has always been great.