Pins used for piecing....

[Jenny C.]

Help...what size / type of pin is suggested for piecing? I see that extra fine, glass head pins are desired but what size?
This is my first time to post anything so bear with me.

[Frances L.]

Patty,
Clover makes two different ones with blue and yellow heads. I've had several teachers (including Alex) recommend these ones. I'm getting rid of the big ones with the hard yellow heads and replacing them with these. I really like them because they don't distort what you've taken the time to line up correctly.
Frances

[Frances L.]

I use extra fine glass head pins that I bought at JoAnn's - I can't remember if they are Clover or not but they have yellow glass heads. As I remember it I just went and looked and bought the finest ones I could find with glass heads. I can really tell the difference when I am peicing - the fine ones slide in better and don't distort the fabric as much as the clunky ones. I really need to sort my old ones out now - I still use those for utility sewing such as hemming jeans so I can't just throw them away and I keep getting them mixed up, lol.

[Frances L.]

I use Clotilde's IBC pins. They are thin flower head pins that are 1 7/8ths inches long. Here's why. The flower head pin lays flatter than any ball topped pin. The exra length creates less distortion when I move the pin to enter the fabric the second time. The thinness of this pin makes smaller holes in the fabric and is more accurate when pinning points. Do not assume all flower head pins are the same. Not so. The only place I have found them is thru Clotilde.com. Others are not quite as long and are much thicker in the shaft. The heads of these flower head pins from Clotilde are white on one side. I just checked the website and the are marked down too. Hope this helped. Betty Ann in Sunny Fl

[Betty D.]

Thanks, Betty Ann. I've had the "thinness" issue with my flower-head pins. Love that they lay flat, but they were too thick compared to the glass-head pins. I'm off to get my Clotilde catalog right now to order some! Betty D

[Betty D.]

I have just ordered the pins and freezer paper on line. Thanks for the information on the pins...

[Jo H.]

I am always on the lookout for the next perfect pin. Thanks for the info. I ordered some also!

JoJo

[Jo H.]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I just now found where your answers were....this is fun. I'm going to Clothilde.com right now.
Bye from Central Illinois!

[Jo H.]

I love the CLOVER PATCH WORK PINS... a little over one inch long, very fine with glass heads.... used them making my DD's silk wedding dress... use them now for my patchwork.

[Jo H.]

I did not know about the blue and yellow (Clover) ones. I use the red and white Clover ones which are very fine especially for piecing.

Is there a size difference between the sets of colours? and how much?

cheers
Jeanine

[Jo H.]

Hmm, I don't know. I have the yellow and they are not as fine as the glass head pins I have. Maybe someone else will know.

[Pamela O.]

Glass head silk pins are usually listed as super fine or 0.5mm shaft. Length is 1 3/8 inch.
I just compared my Clotilde IBC glass head silk pin listed as super fine 0.5mm (package of 250) with the Collins fine, sharp 0.5 mm shaft (package of 200). Both have white, no melt heads. I tried both on batik and see no difference.
Yes, I agree with Alex--I am a pin snob and proud of it.

[Judy M.]

I love those Clover pins with the blue and yellow glass heads! I think I've got every size of pin made and I still need to use the other ones at times--but for piecing, hand or machine, those fine Clover pins are excellent! Judy in Torrance

[Judy M.]

They are my favorite too. I buy them whenever I see them, which isn't often. The only complaint I have is that they are fine and do tend to bend, so occasionally, they need to be thrown out. Well worth the little bit of extra that they cost!

[Judy M.]

They are my favorite too. I buy them whenever I see them, which isn't often. The only complaint I have is that they are fine and do tend to bend, so occasionally, they need to be thrown out. Well worth the little bit of extra that they cost!

I too have been using the 0.4mm ones that tend to bend. Last time I went to buy some, only the 0.5mm were on the notions wall. I bought those but haven't tried them yet. I'm wondering if they bend as much. (I could conduct that "research" soon since I have two weeks off!)

Kay Ahr in Nevada USA