The Comparison of Pins & Clips

What functions do each serve?

For securing things, some individuals favor clips, whereas others choose pins. Pins are my go-to for the majority of my projects. For fleece fabric, bias tape, and projects involving batting, I use clips.

Photo by Mariia Stepanova on Pexels

Pins

There are numerous ways to use them. These are ideal for binding two fabric pieces. You can sew near them and remove them as you progress. These are for draping your patterns.

The thin, sharp, heat-resistant qualities of glass-head pins make them ideal for preventing damage to delicate fabrics. Their common materials include rust-resistant nickel-plated steel or piano wire. They are smooth for hand-sewing; satin pins are also useful.

Ball-point pins work well on knits, jersey, lingerie, lace, and similar stretchy materials. They are less likely to leave lasting marks and are smooth for both insertion and removal.

Risks of sewing over pins

Sewing over pins is ill-advised as it can lead to needle breakage and damage to bobbin case parts. While it saves you from removing them during the process, it risks bending them, disrupting the machine’s timing, and damaging the fabric.

If pins strike a needle, it can shatter, leading to eye and face injuries. Using a serger/overlocker with pins can break the machine and cause severe damage.

To make removal easier, always insert pins perpendicular to the seam, with their heads pointing to the right. When you encounter a pin, gently rotate the handwheel before taking it out. Refrain from focusing on the needle’s eye, which can cause errors and eye strain.

Because I primarily use a hand-cranked sewing machine, I’ve gotten into the habit of removing pins as I go. I only use my domestic machine to finish the seams with zigzag.

Photo by Auhtor

Clips

They excel at handling bulky projects, ensuring the fabric remains stable. They do not warp the fabric, which is beneficial for leather, vinyl, and delicate materials. Sewers with limited hand dexterity find this easier.

Photo by Author. Clover large green clips

Accurate seam allowance markings, including ¼- and ½-inch, are among its best features. Bright colors are easily visible, which prevents them from being left behind in the garment. Use large clips to ensure the quilt batting extends beyond the fabric.

Purple Quilter’s Perfect Clips and Taylor Seville seam markings. Photo by author.

For superior quality, I suggest opting for Clover or Quilter’s Perfect clips over those found on Amazon. I bought a few unbranded ones from Amazon, and they break easily. Prioritize quality above all else.

Risk of clips

You must remove them an inch before the presser foot, so you cannot sew over or near them. The weight of these items can cause lightweight fabrics to sag. These won’t work for marking darts, the middle of patch pockets, or holding down tricky appliqués. The clips will melt and ruin your project, so they’re no good for pressing seams.

Photo by author.

If you’re using a generic one, don’t leave it on delicate stuff like velvet, faux leather, or satin for too long, or it’ll leave a mark. A snag on the machine or garment can make it slip out of place, leading to misalignment.

Conclusion

Appreciate you reading it. Happy start to June! The following post will compare pre-cut vs. rolled parchment paper.