Sarah in Brooklyn

Just curious - I was watching a video tutorial the other day and the woman pinned *everything* even tiny little pieces. I don't pin that much. I have a 1/4" foot and the machine does a good job of keeping things straight. What it doesn't like is sewing over pins! So if I don't have to pin, I just don't. Anyone else have thoughts about this?

JulieR

I pin as much as I need to and no more. If it's a forgiving pattern, forget it. If it's a fiddly little thing then I probably would pin, but I also probably wouldn't tackle a fiddly pattern with my machine

cabbagepatchkid

I like to pin if the seam is long. I also like to pin at any seams that need to match. I don't sew over the pins, though. I take them out just before they go under the needle.

I learned to pin, way back in Jr. High home ec class, so it may be just a habit for me. I watch Bonnie Hunter quilt on "QuiltCam" and have never seen her ever pin anything so it can be done but I prefer to pin.

feline fanatic

I pin just like Cabbage patch, long seams like borders, where seams intersect and need to match, curves I pin alot, and anytime I need to ease in I pin.

toolazy

Like feline fanatic and Cabbagepatch. Maybe a little less on the Pfaff (dual feed) -- I can do a full-length drapery sized seam with no pins, and can manage areas that need just a little easing. It's a good thing, because that dual feed hates sewing over a pin LOL.

On the Singers, I pin rather more. They don't care if you sew over a pin although every now and then I forget to take them out, hit one dead on and the needle breaks.

romanojg

It depends on what I'm sewing. If there are seams that but up to each other and I want them to be spot on, I pin. If its a fabric or a seam that may need pins to stay put, I pin. You aren't supposed to go over any pins and some machines are worse than others about it. I had a teacher once who said to put your pins in at an angle and you'll never break a needle on them. I try that (except for butting seams) or try to put the pins down far away enough from the seam allowance but close enough to do the job.

Sucia

I usually only pin for intersections and long pieces where edges might slip apart. I do pin to mark what goes with what. After 2 strokes I am easily confused. What did you ask?

EllieGirl

It all depends upon the length. If it's long I usually pin about every 4" because that's what I feel most comfortable with.

auntpiggylpn

Works for me!

Louise Houghtaling

I only pin where matching is important and NEVER go over pins. My dealer told me that I could mess up the timing on my machine if a pin was hit. Whether that is true or not, it made me much more careful....just in case!