abc123xyz

While watching a video the other day I came across a woman who was matching seams then quilting. She used double straight pins to pin where two seams intersect and she claimed this helped her to match seams more accurately. I like to have my seams match perfectly and I am wondering if these pins might be a help to me as well. I am wondering if others on the forum might use these pins for that purpose and if you thought this improved your sewing and made it easier to match the seams. I have tried to nest the seams as suggested but I feel that I still need further help. I somehow find myself avoiding quilts that call for matching the seams. Your comments would be appreciated. I am asking about pins that are more or less hairpin shaped and not referring to two pins placed together. I did not know about these pins until I researched after watching the video.

Onebyone

They are called fork pins. I never had any luck using them for seams or anything really. It may be just me. I still have the package I bought decades ago. I machine baste any tricky seams then if right, stitch them.

quiltingcandy

Pinning did not work for me for matching seams - I use a dab of the Elmer's stick school glue and a Clover clip. By the time I am ready to sew - the glue is dry and the seams don't move.

Lyncat

I put a pin just after the seam. It keeps the seam from getting pushed a little with the presser foot. I stitch right up to the pin and then remove it.

Sewgood

I tried the "double head" pins. I didn't think they were sharp enough for the job.

aashley333

I pin on the front side of nested seams, When stitching, I push down on pin at seam before removing, then gently guide that seam under the presser foot. A fork pin wouldn't work for me because I remove them before stitching in order to save my needle.
My seams are super flat because I:

• use wooded roller, then
• hot iron, then
• clapper with a weight on top

debstoehr

I love fork pins. I use them all the time. I really like them when sewing long rows of blocks together.

quiltedsunshine

I got some, and tried them out. They were so thick, I didn't like them.

I do the same as Lyncat, "I put a pin just after the seam. It keeps the seam from getting pushed a little with the presser foot. I stitch right up to the pin and then remove it. "

peaceandjoy

I agree with quiltedsunshine that the forked pins are too thick. The ones I tried were Magic Pins. I like some of their pins (aqua head), but these didn't work for me. Luckily, they were in a trial pack with another style of their pins, so didn't waste a lot of $ to test them.

If I have a really fiddly intersection, I do better with two straight pins, one just before and one right after the seam intersection.

abc123xyz

Wondering if there is a difference in thickness of the fork pins. Some might be made very fine and others more sturdy. Just wondering. It might depend on where you purchase them. Anyone know the size of those they love?