Old hen

I've been searching for half an hour and to no avail! Which pins do the best job when piecing? I don't need advice on how to choose a pin, just tell me what pin works best for you. I've tried many, but still think there must be something that works really well. Help!

DebraK

I like the long, thin, flat, flower head pins.

Mary O

silk pins with glass heads...go in smooth

Tartan

The flat flower head pins are my favourites. They lay nice and flat for doing OBW sections. I have sewn through the flower and it didn't break my sewing machine needle or mess up the machine timing. Not something I recommend but it happens.

dunster

Sometimes I use a flat flower-head, other times I prefer a sharper pin. Sometimes I want it longer, sometimes shorter. It all depends on the application.

Jan in VA

These are my faves. They are very sharp, thin shafts. I keep mine in one of those wool pin cushions to keep them "lanolinized" to prevent rust. They are $11.95 at Amazon, where I got this picture.
http://www.createforless.com/Clover+...FYZaMgodGSsAhw

Jan in VA

Lilrain

The smaller the shaft diameter the better. Easier to get through the fabric layers and also does not distort the fabric at seam joints nearly as much.

susie-susie-susie

I like the long (1 1/2 inch) glass head pins, but I rarely pin anything.
Sue

janRN

I've almost stopped using pins. I switched to the red binding clips and find my seams lay flatter when sewing. I do use a long, sharp flower head pin to match the points of triangles (put straight in, perpendicular, to the block) then put a clip on each side close to the pin, remove the pin, then sew. The clips slide off easily as I get to them and I'm not pulling pins out and moving the fabric. The clips also have a 1/4" mark on them so I can double check my seam allowance.
I primarily paper piece and was bending pins and distorting my pieces until I started using the little clips. Now I use them even when not paper piecing.

mdall

I too rarely pin anything anymore unless prepping lots of pieces prior to a project that I intend to travel with to a meeting. I have lots of pins in different sizes. I have the ones with the flat, flower heads on them. The typical ones that you used to see mom use, and all of them I have in different sizes to fit whatever I am working on. Just try some out and see what works best for you.