SueSew

Crocee just posted this link for how to pin in another thread on the Board, and I checked it out.

How to pin fabric
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK_79KdJVIg


This instructor pins along the seam of the fabric, at right angles to the seam, just like I do, but she does it backwards to my way:

she lays out the fabric with the seam facing right and the bulk of the fabric on the left (fine!)
but then she sticks the pins in from the right, not the left.

I pin with long thin glass-head pins from the left, and I do so that the 'meat' of the fabric is securely pinned as flatly as possible and the pinpoint comes up about 1/8 " from the edge of the fabric. Then I carefully pull each pin back to the left as I sew; the fabric generally stays pinned and there is less disruption to fabric placement than pulling out the pin entirely.

Is this my left-handedness showing, or do I have a (pin ) point?

Well, please weigh in with your thoughts. I appreciate and learn every time I read these posts!

Thanks!

coopah

I didn't watch the whole video, but from the first picture, I'd say that I do it her way. Probably because to remove the pins, I use my right hand and it's easier for me to grip the pin heads that way. Do what works for YOU! :-)

ManiacQuilter2

I don't think it really matters as long as the quality of your work is not affected. People who are left handed do things differently from us right handed people so I wouldn't worry. If it works for you, just stick with your method!!

Holice

I don't. I get better accuracy pinning parrallel to the side. Also less chance of sewing over the pin. Everyone has the best way for them. Don't think you are wrong just because someone shows you a different way. It might work for u and it might not.

paulswalia

I pin like the video - maybe you pin the other way because of being a leftie. I don't think it matters on straight seams, but having been a garment maker before becoming a quilter I know that on curved seams, like setting in a sleeve, pinning the other way would make it hard to see the pin in the bulk of the rounded shoulder seam and make it hard to find pins to remove them.

Misty's Mom

I pin the same as you. I'm a lefty too and it just makes sense to have the pin positioned so that I can remove it before it gets to the needle.

PaperPrincess

I agree with ManiacQuilter2. As long as you are satisfied with your results, you are good to go. You do need to use fine pins so you don't move the fabric when you pin. Also, from garment construction, we were taught to pin on the table like the video. Don't hold the piece up in your hand. I usually pin with the head to the left, even though I'm right handed. I also occasionally use the Sally Collins method and pin parallel to the seam, like Holice does. I do this with a really complicated block.

pocoellie

That's how I do my pinning, so I think it has to do with you being left handed, I'm right handed and everyone I know, that's right handed, does it the same.

nativetexan

I pin with the head of the pin to my right since I'm right handed and it's easier to remove them as I sew along.

mariatherese

I pin like you do. I'm right handed but still do it from the left.