Pins for English Paper Piecing Patchwork
How to Choose the Right Pin in English Patchwork
Jul 16, 2009
Choosing the correct kind of pins to use whilst making the patchwork is as important as using the right equipment for the job in the other areas of this craft.
Dressmaking Pins
Ordinary dressmaking pins are perfectly suitable for the work. The reason they are used initially is to pin the fabric to the paper template whilst it is being basted in place. Once the basting is done the pin is removed.
How Many Pins to Use Per Piece
Only one pin is necessary, the needleworker should not fold the seam allowance over the template and place a pin in each seam. Pins CAN leave tiny holes in fine fabric which may become obvious if placed in every seam. These will remain unobtrusive and disappear with use if only one per patch is used.
Fine glass headed pins approximately one inch long are best. The glass heads will be easy to see when pins are dropped and so it will be easier to find them and pick them up. Like needles, dropped pins in various parts of the anatomy are not usually appreciated by family and friends! It's a good idea to use a pincushion rather than a box because the pins will be held in place and if the pincushion falls to the floor there won't be a major picking up session. If the worker is using a box of pins, try to put the lid on between each use. Alternatively, take one or two pins out and then replace the lid till the pins are put away.
Quilter's Safety Pins
Once the quilt top is completed an excellent choice for fixing it to the backing fabric and layer of quilt wadding is Quilter's Safety Pins. These are one inch long nickel plated pins which will be sold by your quilting and patchwork store. They can be placed about six to eight inches apart to hold the layers in place while the work is tied or quilted, and will be removed once this is done.
The advantage of using safety pins rather than dressmaking pins for this part of the work is that they cannot come out of the work or migrate into the quilt and disappear. Because safety pins are closed, the quilter will not end up with scratches on his/her arms and there is far less risk of safety pins becoming lost in the furniture or on the floor.
Number of Safety Pins Required
For a large quilt about 500 to 1000 will be needed, and it will be necessary to spend a couple of evenings crawling over the floor putting them in place. However it's well worth the cost and the effort and makes the job of preparing the patchwork for quilting very much easier.
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