ccthomas

i had a heavy pair of pinking shears. Every time I tried to do an edge with them, my thumb would ache. I thought it was because I was trying to pink edges left handed. I donated them so a right-hand person would be successful.

Pat1969

I had the same problem. And I am left handed too. I don't know what I did when mine.

b.zang

This is an interesting thread. I'd forgotten about my pinking shears languishing in a notions drawer. When I began quilting, I pinked the edge of fabric before washing. I've become lazy about pre-washing and forgotten to pink edges when I do. I'd like to think I'll go back to the days of washing and storing when pinked edges indicated washed but I'm trying to avoid buying more fabric.

I'm quite interested in pinking seam allowances. I've just finished a quilt of alternating denim and string squares. The denim is shredding something awful. I wonder if pinking will help.

peaceandjoy

Mine rarely see the sight of day. A name tag project our guild did, a seam in clothing once in a blue moon... They will definitely last me the rest of my lifetime. They are heavy. Ginghers.

QuiltingPandaBear

I bought a pair a couple years ago when I first started sewing/quilting, and have yet to have a use for them. A good lesson on stocking up on tools before I have a need for them.

One thing I am trying to work on in general is not finding something I want to make, then running out and buying the supplies list. I have dozens of these projects (home repair, crafts, etc.) where I have done so and never done the thing. ADD maybe? Now I try to buy only what I absolutely need to start, then get what I must when I reach another step. Also check in along the way and ask myself if I can make do with something I already have.

The other way leads to a spending-guilt cycle, which is why I have pinking shears that have never been used and enough doorknobs to replace all the internal knobs in my house sitting in the garage for a couple years now. I need a supervisor.

quiltingcandy

My pinking shears are at least 50 years old (Wiss brand to match my scissors). They worked well for years but then I wasn't sewing much and didn't use them at all. Now they are so stiff, I can't use them at all. I thought about taking them to a person that sharpens scissors but decided using the rotary blade version was easier and better for my hands. My grip strength isn't what it used to be 50 years ago.

peaceandjoy

Did you try a drop of oil on the bolt? That should loosen them somewhat.