Beware cheap straight pins
 

I had a strange experience this afternoon. I had put a straight pin on a block just to mark the top, and apparently, I accidently ironed over the pin as I was pressing my seams. Later, when I went to remove the pin, it wouldn't budge! The pin has a ball top, and it evidently was painted, not solid plastic throughout. The paint must have melted and stuck to the fabric. I got it off w/o much of a mark, but all those pins went into my "dead needle" jar for disposal. In the picture below, you can see the little bit of paint on the shaft, which is a telltale sign. I have no idea where or when I got these pins, unfortunately.
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Yikes, I am sorry about the glob. My thrifty friend doesn't understand why I pay the high price for quality when usually the bargain will work. A local 4H leader said she used only glass head pins, you never know where the iron will strike.

I bought a large container of Pins at Michaels and they were so dull. I took them back. Everything is getting cheaper and cheaper made, not price.

This is why I prefer glass heads.

thanks for the heads up

It was recommended to me to try Clovers fine patchwork pins. They have a glass head. I really like them a lot,except when stick myself. They are really sharp!

I am careful about this, but many on this board may not be as aware. thank you for mentioning this real problem.

Honestly there isn't any quality basic notion that will break the bank so why not buy the best. Fine glass head pins are worth it.

I never paid that much attention to my pins. I didn't know about glass heads. I will definitely check that out.

The pins with the yellow ball on top melt, too. They are widely sold in large quantities as quilting pins.

clover glass head long shaft--worth the money

the price of the good glass head pins can be greatly reduced if you use a Joann's coupon on them, or wait till notions are on sale.

I have had the worst experience with Dritz straight and safety pins- Very dull. Will never buy them again.

There are certain things I do spend good money on. Glass head silk pins is one of them. If they aren't abused by sewing over them, they last forever. I bought my last package of 100 pins about six years ago at about $8.00. They still work. I think that is a great investment.

Over the years I have bought cheaper pins and they are all gone now.

I do use colored pins on my design board and keep them separate from the silk pins.
peace

The flower-top 'flat-top' pins melt too, just like the ball ones. And they are supposed to be whoopie-do best-in-class from LQS. Some of my LQS pins, right out of the package, looked a little tarnished in spots. And they definitely don't go through the fabric as easily as the glass-head pins which are my favorite.

The glass-heads are nice and long, they don't melt, they are slightly narrower in diameter than the flower-heads and very sharp and smooth. Straight from Joanns.

Same here. I bought some at Joann's and they are the worst. So dull I can hardly get them through the fabric. I will probably use them for something like the "quilted" Christmas ornaments just to get rid of them.

I use the button head pins which are made to be ironed over. I use them with fusible applique.

I have only used the glass head silk pins for years. They are very sharp and thin so they slide in and out of the fabric easily. I have used them since the 70's. They are a little pricey but I still have most of the pins I purchased in the 70's.

I am always on a quest for the finest pins in the store. Many of the pins at J's are dull. I never had the experience of pins melting. That could be a disaster! I think I will try to buy some of the flower pins.

Thanks for the heads up too. Never quite thought about that happening.

Tkx for the info...

And beware that cheap pins can rust. Always buy a metal that will not rust.

A cpl. of wks. ago there was a discussion on here about pins. Some mentioned "patchwork" pins while others talked about "quilt" pins. I've looked for them since but can't remember which people felt were the best. I really love a long, narrow shaft & want to get the best ones first so I don't invest in pins I won't care for. I always thought the flower heads were the big thing til I bought glasshead pins. They've seem to disappear around here for some reason. I hope somebody can talk about the benefits of ea. soon.

Pat G

You can sharphen ay dull straight pin or safety pin by putting it in and out of steel wool. That's what I did witht the large safety pins that my sister bought me one year for Christmas. I just put them in and out of steal wool annow they are real sharp!

Also, some of these ball pin heads will melt and stick in the steam slots of your iron if you happen to iron over them. Ask me how I know!

My mother used to run the points of safety pins through her hair to make them easier to go through fabric. The oil in the hair lubricated them, I guess. I still do that sometimes.

I too use only glass head pins, it isn't worth the hastle with the plastic ones, and some of my pins are REALLY getting old

I usually by the quilter's glass head pins or the flat flower variety that makes it easier to iron over them. I don't think I have ever had the problem that you had. I have occasionally "lost" the head of the pin, guess it went off to "pin" heaven, but nothing like your problem with the pin melting into the fabric. Weird.

I only use glass head silk pins or the flower head pins, I have accidentally sewn over flowerheads without breaking a needle. LOL
Pat

I had some pins that went into the fabric smoothly but caught on the fiber when pulling them out. They also went in the garbage!! Brand name pins usually don't have those kinds of issues.

FYI - Clover's flower pins say "Head is not heat resistant. Do not apply iron directly." Considering that I generally keep my iron at a hot setting (cotton/linen), I wouldn't want to use any plastic headed pin.

Here is a link to Clover's line of glass head pins. My preferred pins are the Clover patchwork extra fine (40 mm). If I use the longer ones ("quilting" pins), I stick myself too much. http://www.clover-usa.com/search?q=g...y=0&t=products (first page only)

Thanks for the information. I've never melted a pin. DH is a mechanic & he hates spending $$ on pricey tools, but he does not like to spend his $$ twice on cheap tools.

I purchased a box of 300 pins about a month ago, made by a known company. When I tried to use them they wouldn't go through the fabric. I e-mailed the company, thinking that maybe it was a bad batch. They sent replacements and I couldn't believe they were the same way. I gave up. Now I have 600 flower top pins that won't go through butter. Will not purchase this brand again, needless to say.

Most pins - Clover's flower head ones included - come in different thicknesses to address different jobs. A thick pin, meant for heavy fabrics, wouldn't work well on lighter fabrics. The flower head ones are supposed to go through the machine easier, but aren't we all taught that we really shouldn't be sewing over them anyhow? Whatever, lol. For those who like them, just be sure to get the finer ones. But also remember, there are lots of manufacturers of the flower head ones, too.

Another brand I've seen recommended is Iris. I didn't like those at all. Like many things, we've all got our preferences.

Pins really can make a difference. I like the fine glass head pins...I buy Clover brand...usually buy the "silk pins."

I love the Clover pins. They are expensive but they are sharp with glass heads.

I get the flower and button pins from Nancy's notions. They have never melted, but they are thicker than the silk pins.

Flowers and Butterfly's do make me smile though!

Me too! I thought I was the only one. But remember the old diaper pin trick? Stick them in a bar of Ivory soap!

These are my favorite as well!
I had used some flower head pins a few weeks ago and forgot they weren't my glass head ones. Needless to say, I ironed over the top on one. The flower part melted and came off on the bottom of my iron. Ya, those have been 'put away'.