I do not sew over my pins - learned the hard way it's not too great on the machine!!

Pins? I don't use them when I'm sewing. My piecing is all so simple that I don't have to. Maybe someday if I ever try one of the more complicated patterns.

Nope, I learned the hard way years ago, that it throws the timing off. Took me 2 or 3 times of having it fixed, to learn. That was with my old White machine. I've never done it since, so have no idea about the newer macihnes. Too chicken to try it! lol!!
:)

Oh gosh--I'm making those Triple Irish Chain squares and there are 36 seams to pin in every other square. Eeek. I used to sew over pins--with my old singer. But--with my Baby Lock, I stopped. I'm afraid it'll do too much damage if I hit one direct--again. :roll:

Definitely don't sew over the pins. I use to, but after breaking needles, bending pins, causing the fabric to tear, I decided it was easier and cheaper to take the pins out before getting there.

no i try not to sew over my pins..when i was still using the flowerhead pins i missed taking one out and all of a sudden there was this huge bang..i stopped sewing and looked to see what had made the noise but couldnt find anything so carefully and slowly started sewing again. It wasnt until i checked the other side to ensure no birds nests etc i found a flower head pin that the machine had gone over and sewed the plastic head into the seam!
i now use the super fine pins and they are heaven to use and just glide in so easily but being super fine they also bend if you accidentally run over them.... :oops: :oops: :D

I looked in Joanne's for finer pins, but didn't see them. Are they a special order item?

I'm not sure I know what you mean by throwing the timing off. What happens?

When the timing is thrown off, the needle will no longer pick up the bobbin thread or the machine will skip stitches as you sew. Might do other things too, but those are the ones I know about. Timing is not something most people can do at home; requires an office visit to the sewing machine doctor!

I think the fine pins people are referring to may be silk pins. These are long, slim pins that do not have glass or plastic heads -- very plain. They are more expensive than other pins, but well worth the money IMO. They are made very fine so as not to leave holes in silk fabric. They are the only pins I will use for piecing. Even though they are slim and fine, I still remove them as I come to them and wouldn't dream of trying to sew over them. I have broken my share of needles and bent my share of pins trying to do that. Got scared when part of a broken needle hit my eyeglasses and vowed never to try to sew over pins again.

Thank you Prism 99.