Pins!

[Bumblebuncher]

I have always bought Prym and the ones from a few years ago are much better quality than now.
The penultimate ones were blunt, the glass pin head fell off or had snags in them.  Bought some more the other day and they are just bending when I try pushing them through more than two layers of fabric.
Does anyone recommend any other make that are a bit more sturdy?

[Ouryve]

I use clover silk pins when I need a fine pin but I'm struggling along with an old set of plastic headed pins from Hobbycraft when I need something sturdier because I 've yet to find a replacement thst I like. They've ended up too thick or too long or not smooth enough.

[Kad]

I love pins that are very fine and quite long for most sewing and usually get mine from Cotton Patch, which is a P&Q shop but has lots of pins AND gives the necessary details - length/diameter/glass or plastic heads.
When I'm feeling rich I buy Merchant & Mills ones 

[BrendaP]

I agree with you, the quality of Prym stuff isn't what it used to be.

Clover are probably the best, readily available, brand at the moment.  They are Japanese made and their black and gold hand sewing needls are excellent, really smooth and sharp.

The other Japanese brand that gets good reviews for its pins and needles is Tulip but I was disappointed with the needles I bought, dull steel colour and nowhere near as smooth as the Clover needles.  I've also managed to break the eye of two of them, and I wasn't stitching anything particulary tough.

[Bumblebuncher]

I use clover silk pins when I need a fine pin but I'm struggling along with an old set of plastic headed pins from Hobbycraft when I need something sturdier because I 've yet to find a replacement thst I like. They've ended up too thick or too long or not smooth enough.

It's the sturdy factor I am trying to find!
Trying to shove a pin through eight layers of fabric yesterday for Grandson was a headache, he was laughing at them all bending and they were the new ones.  Once I delved deeper into the old ones they were going through ok.
@BrendaP  and @Kad  I will have a look at the ones you mention, hopefully I will find some with oomph readily attached!

[Ploshkin]

Pins these days bend so easily, I'm always throwing them away yet I still have the little, pin head pins that I used at school and I can't recall ever bending one.  I don't use them now because I prefer visible heads.

[Tamnymore]

I recently bought some Hemline pins - not cheap though this is a budget brand. I was surprised how many broken pins and 'thick' pins and otherwise faulty pins there were.

[Acorn]

I've had Dritz pins that I've been very pleased with.  Looking back, I bought them 5 years ago, so they've certainly done well, but can't necessarily speak for current Dritz pins.

[Ohsewsimple]

@Tamnymore I’m not a fan of Hemline make. It’s annoying that the damn stuff is everywhere. 
I use Iris Silk Pins and have had a tin for yonks.  Nice and fine and go through most stuff.
But if you’re doing 8 layers @Bumblebuncher it’s a bit of a tough one.  Can you use clips instead?

[Bumblebuncher]

@Ohsewsimple In the instance today clips wouldn't work.  I was trying to sew straps and buckles onto an arm bracer so there was nowhere for clips to go. I ended up just holding it in place while sewing with my very nervous finger near the needle 

[Kad]

@Ohsewsimple In the instance today clips wouldn't work.  I was trying to sew straps and buckles onto an arm bracer so there was nowhere for clips to go. I ended up just holding it in place while sewing with my very nervous finger near the needle 

In this instance a tiny dab of fabric glue can really help. Less messy than a 'speared' finger end   

[Bumblebuncher]

In this instance a tiny dab of fabric glue can really help. Less messy than a 'speared' finger end   

In this instance I realise what an idiot I can be at times 

[BrendaP]

It's the sturdy factor I am trying to find!
Trying to shove a pin through eight layers of fabric yesterday for Grandson was a headache, he was laughing at them all bending and they were the new ones. 

Generally the finer the pin the easier it will bend!

For sturdy you need at least 0.60mm diameter, if not 0.70mm.

Clover do 0.70mm flowerhead pins with plastic ends and 0.60mm with glass heads.

[Ohsewsimple]

In this instance I realise what an idiot I can be at times 

We’ve all been there!