The Sewing Place
Tools of the Trade => The Haberdashery => Topic started by: snoozi soozi on December 04, 2019, 16:48:22 PM
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A few of my pins have 'gone rough' - they don't slide into fabric very well. What causes this?
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They shouldn't have rust on them. Have you used them on anything involving adhesive? They could be sticky.
As soon as I have a pin that is defective in any way I throw it away - I have a sharps box on the window sill.
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Have you been sewing over them? They get roughed up that way too.
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I don't think they're rusty but now you mention it, I may have pinned a pattern piece that has been sellotaped together. I'll give them a wipe ;)
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@Deafoldbat yes, I do sew over pins, doesn't everyone? Should I sit on the norty step? ><
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I'll shuffle along and make space for you @snoozi soozi... ;)
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No, it’s very dangerous to sew over pins. At best you might put the timing out on your machine....expensive mistake. At worst, the pin or needle could break and fly up towards your eyes. :o
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I only sew slowly over pins and not all the time :o ;)
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I made myself a wrist pin cushion, with velvet covering a foam rubber dome. I stopped using it as I found it blunted pins.
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I made myself a wrist pin cushion, with velvet covering a foam rubber dome. I stopped using it as I found it blunted pins.
You need to fill it with sand instead as sand apparently keeps pins sharp!
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I've had batches of cheap pins which are rough, and they can really pluck, and damage fabric.
Some I bought in the cheap Chinese shop in Tenerife - they were very prettily displayed. Others came as gifts, and you don't realise until you try using them how terrible they are.
Like Plosh, I keep an old vitamin containers for dud sharps - reduces accidents.
Jessie
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Sorry, every time I see this fred I can't stop myself thinking, "Rough pins do shake the darling buds of May". Apols. to Shakespeare, W.
I'll get me coat :ninja:
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I sew over pins that are perpendicular to the fabric but only if absolutely necessary - I'd rather remove them before they or the needle break!
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New pins can also be rough. I buy the 5000 Iris bucket and still have rough and unsharpened pins throughout. And pins do get dull from use.
I don't generally sew over them, not that I an a purist on this count but because of college/type of machine.
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You need to fill it with sand instead as sand apparently keeps pins sharp!
My mouse pin cushion has emery sand in the base and it does keep the pins sharp. As it was for wearing on my wrist I wanted something lighter, but it didn’t work.
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Pins and needles do rust/corrode over time and the damage is not visible to the naked eye.
Ran over a pin once when I was quite young and my mom dug the tip of the machine needle out of the corner of my eye....I NEVER intentionally sew over a needle! (I'm slightly OCD regarding safety.)
I pick up a new box of decent quality pins every few years and try to keep them separate from older ones, just so I can use for silks, etc.
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Yes I'm naughty too - I sew over pins. I bought a big box of cheap pins recently (Hemline, since you ask) knowing that they would be a bit rubbish and guess what? They are. Most are OK but a number are a bit bent, others don't seem to have points and a few have those rough points that some of you have mentioned. I've learned my lesson! :S
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@Esme866 wow you were lucky there. I find if you take your time and slow down as you approach a pin you can sew 'over' it, if you get my meaning >< A lot of the time I hand-turn the needle so can pre-empt any strikes