Pinning Tips Pinning Units Without Points or Angled Seams When joining seamed pieces without points or angled seams (Diagram 1), butt opposing seams together and pin at an angle to secure. (Diagram 2, "right handed" --- Diagram 3, "left handed") VERY IMPORTANT ... take at least one stitch past the seam line before pulling the pin. This will insure that the seams do not separate as you sew over them. (If you have pinned as shown in the diagram, there will be room for one or two stitches before having to pull the pin.) Diagram 1 Diagram 2 Diagram 3 Pinning Units With Matching Points There are two steps involved when pinning seamed pieces with points that must be matched (Diagram 4). (Make sure seam allowances are opposing before pinning units together.) Step 1.) Referring to Diagram 5, insert pin through the 'wrong' side of the fabric where the two seams cross and form a point. Carefully insert the pin through the next unit, 'right' side of fabric, at the tip of the point. Push the pin through both units until the head is flush with the fabric. Step 2.) Holding the first pin securely, insert another pin on each side of the point, through the seam allowances. (Diagram 6) Notice how pins are turned in opposite directions. This technique helps to keep the points aligned properly. After pinning securely on each side, remove the center pin. Begin sewing at the edge and continue until you are as close as possible to the first pin. Do not sew over the pin. Remove the pin and continue sewing until you are as close to the second pin, without sewing over it, as possible. Remove the pin and continue sewing to the other edge. (Hint: sew one or two threads above the point when sewing the seam allowance. This will allow room for "turning and pressing.") Diagram 4 Diagram 5 Diagram 6 Return to Around the Block Index