Argument over sewing over pins!
 

I NEVER EVER sew over pins, and impress upon my pupils to do the same then I had a visit yesterday from my gentleman volunteer for Project Linus quilts, and we started discussing needle breakages, I had just broken 5 in one evening, don't ask, and he said he rarely breaks needles just on the odd occasion when he sewed over a pin and hit it!

I was horrified, his wife agreed with me, but his reply was, what is the difference in hitting a pin and hitting a foot or the sewing plate, you know when you have the wrong one in!

I didn't have an answer, do you?

All the needles I have are the right ones for all 3 of my machines. I used to sew over pins, but the damage to the machine isn't worth it. One problem with sewing over pins is sometimes the needle isn't broken just bent. That could upset the timing on your machine. I have had the needle and the pin break and go into the hole in the sole plate. Lucky not to have any damage but a terrible time getting the pieces out. Not worth it, IMHO.
Sue

I used to sew over them all the time and rarely had a problem. Then I got my Kenmore and if I sewed over a pin it would break the thread at the very least. I got tired of rethreading the machine so I started taking them out. I had a teacher who said no, you are not supposed to sew over them but also said if you put them in at an angle they won't hit the needle. I try to put my pins in now at an angle just in case I forget to take one out. The only time I can't put them in at an angle is when I'm piecing and I need for two seams to match up. The biggest difference in hitting a pin, or foot or the sewing plate is that the last two cost more to fix or replace. Hitting a pin can cause your needle to bend and then ruin your plate; it's just not worth it.

Well, when you hit the foot or plate you know something is not right. You've got the wrong part in, have it in wrong, something's not lined up properly. When you hit the pin you've deliberately left something in the way. I occassionally leave a pin in and usually don't have a problem. But, honestly, it's usually because I'm being lazy. If I really want to leave the pin in to make sure I get the stitch in the correct place I sew really slowly and take the pin out immediately before the needle goes in the fabric. Many years ago I sewed over a pin and it broke the needle and thread. I tiny part of the needle flew up and into my eye. It stayed down in the pink part of my eye-where you pull the skin down under the eye (if that make sense). I wore contact lenses and was used to putting my fingers in my eyes so I was fortunately able to get it out without too much trouble. I still prefer to wear my glasses when I sew, just in case!

I use very long (and thin) pins so I can insert them so the tip of the pin falls short of where the needle will hit. That said, sometimes I insert one a bit too far and it's far enough that the needle may glance off of it. I've never broken a pin or needle from hitting a pin.

On the Sally Collins video she sews over pins all the time and said that machine speed is the difference between sewing "over" pins and breaking/bending them. I noticed she uses the same long thin pins I use.

So possibly just slowing the machine down is the answer, coupled with very thin pins.

I typically run my machine at a fairly slow speed unless I'm FMQ'ing. I think that is a product from my 7th grade Home Ed teacher yelling "quit racing those machines!!".

I sewed over a pin ONCE, needle broke in two and hit my glasses....it I had not been wearing glasses at the time, the broken needle would have gone into my eye. Since that day I have never sewn over a pin, it is not the damage to the needle, or sewing machine or whatever, what about your own personal safety !!!!!!!

My Mom would shutter if she knew how many times I have sewn over pins. Its my single worst habit. But I do at least slow down when approaching a pin.
In my defense , there are times when matching up a really tough area.. its just seems like the best method to keep it all exactly in place till its stitched.

My rule for sewing over pins is sometimes I sew over pins, sometimes I take them out. I never break my rule. LOL

I would think possible cost would be the difference. If you mess the timing up there you go. Now if you break a pin and it flies in your eye I would think that could cost you a fair amount too.I guess it's like this. Why do something that could cost you when it's easy,and no skin off your tail to avoid. You are going to have to take them out at some point anyway,why not then?

I only leave the pins in when I can't get it to stay in the right place any other way. In those instances, I slowly sew a stitch length away from the pin/pins, then hand crank the machine over it that way if it does hit a pin it's barely touching it and can be moved enough to sew past it.

A lot of times I will pin to the left of the needle so that I can pull the pins back some without totally removing them.

The only time I broke a needle was when I was free motion quilting and ran over a safety pin. I took the machine apart and did a good cleaning and oiling. Then started relying more on spray basting rather than pin basting.