To use or not to use when cutting fabric for quilts?

I don't use pinking shears. I find it makes it too difficult to get that "perfect" 1/4" seam. I never know whether to use the inside or the outside of the "pinked" line as the edge of the fabric.
As for jellyrolls and turnovers that come cut with pinking shears, I find them hard to work with for the same reason, and I don't like all the lint that they create. I have to take the loose pieces outside for a good shake before I start using them.
IMHO

slow process. you could cut your blocks much faster with a rotary cutter. pinks are very hard on the hands when doing a lot of cutting. let us know what you decide.

I agree. I just used up a bunch of charm pack squares in a scrappy quilt that had pinked edges. Drove me nuts trying to get that 1/4 inch seam. Never again. I will really pay attention to how fabrics are cut rather then just the fabrics themselves from now on!

Just found my Gma's pinking shears. The handles are well worn, so she pinked. I would love to find a good reason to put her pinking shears to good use. It is obvious she loved them as they were in the original packaging with lots of use.

Back when Grandma quilted or sewed, she probably needed to pink edges to help stop fabric raveling. Pinking is not as necessary nowadays.

I, too, agree that pinking is difficult when trying to get that quarter inch seam, and that it creates a lot of lint. They do, however, make a pinking rotary cutter blade for those who are determined to do so.

I used to pink a lot when I sewed clothes. I haven't since then.

Yes I to think they where used more often in regular sewing
then they are now a days :D

Sometimes people used felt for ornaments or whatever - the pinking shears made the edges look a little more interesting.

It did help minimize fraying of seams - now sergers are relatively available and work better to make professional looking seam finishes.

I mainly use pinking shears on corduroy and velvets.

Rotary cutting only for quilting (unless its fussy cut). I use pinking shears when I am sewing dresses or other clothing that has an easily raveled edge like linings some of those are monsters they unravel so much and so quickly making it hard to sew.

Exactly! The last time I used them on a quilt was for satin and silk blocks.

the best reason for pinking your edges is NO FRAYING! if you are going to pre-wash it is a great way to avoid all the strings, just pink the edges before putting in the wash. pinked edges keep everything nice and straight without fraying.

I use my pinking shears to cut the raw edges of my fabrics before I wash them. It keeps them from unraveling. It also immediately lets me know when I see the pinked edge that the fabric has been washed. :wink:

I would never use them, however, to cut my patches, etc. It would definitely be much too difficult to get that 1/4" seam.

the only time i'd use pinking shears is maybe on fabric edges i need to wash. not to cut to piece.

I don't use Pinking Shears. I would think it would be hard to sew an accurate 1/4" seam. :-P

My best discovery for pinking shears is to use them when cutting forms for applique, especially flower heads, leaves and circle centers for flowers. I find that it reduces the bulk when turning the edge over.

The best place for my pinking shears is in the drawer under anything so I can't see them. I will use the pinked rotary blade though!!

I never use pinking shears for anything, absolutely hate them. LOL

I would not use them

This is a good idea - thanks!

That is what I mainly use my pinked rotary blade for, a lot easier on my hands and wrist.

I use a pinking rotary cutter when I wash flannel. Otherwise... not so much.

I never use them for piecing only sewing clothes or accessories. As far as the pinked edges on the charm squares - there is no difference to me using them as oppossed to straight edge. They are so perfectly cut, you just match the points, use your 1/4" foot along the outside of the point (this is your straight edge), and sew. No big deal.