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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
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From: HeatherL
Date: 09-05-2004, 10:32 PM (1 of 13)
| Do you use them? If so...for what, and do you recommend them? I remember my mother and grandmother owning them, but I'm not sure whether this is a doodad I would actually use. |
User: HeatherL
Member since: 03-13-2004 Total posts: 102 |
From: stitchmd
Date: 09-05-2004, 11:16 PM (2 of 13)
|
They used to be used a lot more before sergers to finish off a seam allowance with a non-ravelling edge. Some fabrics will still ravel, even when pinked. They are also good for trimming curved seams, as they make an edge that is all little notches. |
User: stitchmd
Member since: 02-25-2003 Total posts: 226 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 09-06-2004, 09:07 AM (3 of 13)
|
I have pinking shears that I never use. When we were cleaning out my mother-in-law's house after she died last month we came across a pinker that once belonged to her mother-in-law (had to be, she's the only one that ever sewed in that family and she lived with them for 20 years). You mount this thing on the table, put the fabric in and turn a crank that pulls the fabric through and pinks the edges with a wheel that has a zigzaggy edge to it. Very cool. I brought it home to keep with my 100-year-old treadle. If I ever have to live without electricity I'll still be able to sew! Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 09-06-2004, 06:15 PM (4 of 13)
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I never use mine except maybe for a craft or two. They are expensive and heavy Henckels!
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: beachgirl
Date: 09-06-2004, 06:46 PM (5 of 13)
I have 2 pair of pinking shears. One is Ginger that I bought & other is Wiss brand that was my Mom's. Both are great but I do prefer the Ginger as they aren't as heavy. Yes I do use them but not as much as the dressmakers or rotary cutters. There are times you need pinking shears or maybe I just watched my Mom so much that I think I do. Theresa 
|
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 09-06-2004, 07:22 PM (6 of 13)
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I know my mom had some and I got in big trouble for using them (on paper of course). Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: mamahoogie
Date: 09-06-2004, 07:47 PM (7 of 13)
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I do use mine. I like them for notching and grading seams. Violet I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
|
User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: paroper
Date: 09-06-2004, 07:53 PM (8 of 13)
|
I used them a lot in high school, before we had a machine that would zig zag. I still occasionally use them. The way that we were taught to use them was to stitch a line of stay-stitching about 3/8 of an inch from the edge of the garment and then pink the edges. We did not cut out with pinking shears to make sure that the edges were straight. We would sew the stay-stitch line and we would sew the seams first. That way we had a true edge to follow while we were sewing. The stay-stitching was to help guarantee that the fabric would not ravel.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: MaryW
Date: 09-07-2004, 12:33 PM (9 of 13)
I just cut out a fleece vest for my grandson. I wish I had used my pinking shears because the seam edges won't be serged. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
|
From: NanCee
Date: 09-07-2004, 01:16 PM (10 of 13)
| I've used mine like Violet & Pam have and pinked some fleece but I found that the fleece seemed to dull them. I cut through folded up foil and that seems to sharpen them up. I havent had them to get sharpened. I had some good cutting shears done and the fellow ruined them. |
User: NanCee
Member since: 04-15-2004 Total posts: 76 |
From: MaryW
Date: 09-07-2004, 01:24 PM (11 of 13)
|
I don't use them on knits, they make one royal mess.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
|
From: SBEAR
Date: 09-15-2004, 09:22 AM (12 of 13)
|
I have them but I wouldn't rush out to buy them. They are very pricey, and you can just zigzag or serge the edges of your sewing instead. You should never never try to cut out patterns with pinking shears, as they are not accurate enough and you won't be able to see your markings. To my mind they aren't useful enough to justify the expense! |
User: SBEAR
Member since: 09-15-2004 Total posts: 31 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-15-2004, 12:51 PM (13 of 13)
|
Here is the way I think about Pinking shears.. If you HAVE to finish the seam edges, that is a place to use them.. I think that is the easiest way to finish those seams that are prone to ravelling..I have had mine for more than 15 years.. I was so pleased to find Left handed ones when I bought them..I need to have them sharpened now.. Thank goodness Hancocks has a good sharpener that visits there periodically for a couple of days and does all the sharpening.. I have never heard of any problems with him..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
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