This post is about pinning in general - while I do talk specifically about The Violet Quilt Pattern, these tips can be applied to any patchwork project.
I am a big believer in pinning when piecing your quilt blocks. If you pin, you will get better results than if you don't pin. There are lots of different pin options out there, but my favorites are these Clover Fine Patchwork pins. They are very thin and slightly flexible. They also hurt like @#$* if you step on them, so I don't recommend that.
You may not be as zealous about pinning as I am, and that's fine. I've said it before: I'm not the quilt police. However, my method gets consistently good results so I am going to share it with you and you can use it if you wish. If you don't want to go quite this crazy with pins - at least pin at the places where you have seams that line up - that is the most important place.
When I pin (and I pin EVERYTHING that I piece) I place a pin at the beginning/end AND at every seam intersection AND every 2 inches. It is a lot of pins, but I just turn on an audiobook and pin a big batch of pieces at once. It is one of my favorite parts of the process.
I'm definitely a pinner. Perhaps not to the same extent as you, but it's interesting to read how you do it. I do the same. Pin at the beginning, end, then center, then all the seams. Actually, as I write this, I realize I really do it almost exactly the same way. lol I'm going to check out the pins you use, though, as I'm not terribly happy with the ones I have.
ReplyDeleteSounds like we both are excellent pinners! These pins are really great - I discovered them a few years ago and buy a pack about every year or so to replenish.
DeleteI am a pinner.Ifeel more secure that way.
ReplyDeleteMe too - I think it leads to fewer mistakes that need to be corrected.
DeleteI pin as you do. I also like Clover Fork pins for intersections. They are superfine piano wire. Check them out.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried them, I will definitely check them out. Thank you!
DeleteSo funny you talk about stepping on pins. I teach a 4h sewing group at my house and at the end of every meeting I have them get down on the floor and check their area for dropped pins. They all know my quote “ if my husband finds a pin on the floor we can’t sew here anymore!”
ReplyDeleteI also put a little magnet strip on their machines so they have a better spot to keep pins.
Thanks for the great article.
I love that saying! I almost always wear slippers in my sewing room and even when I don't, the pins tend to be flat on the floor. But it has happened a couple of times!
DeleteGreat information. I am a pinner also. If I miss pinning as I fer distracted and forget to check I find my seams don't line up.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!! And pins do end up on the floor. Have a grest day Julia