Replies

1. 
   beo | Mar 30, 2010 06:56pm | #1

   to pint or to weight

   Because I worry that excessive pinning will skew, I do both.  First I pin the pattern at both ends of the straight of grain arrows, then I weight down the middle of the pattern piece, then I pin all corners, and if it is a pant pattern, I use a few more pins.  But nothing is written in stone.  Do what works for you

2. 
   Palady | Mar 31, 2010 01:40pm | #2

   An added thought on pins or weights.  Scissors vs rotary come into the picture for accurate cuting out. 

   One point mother made certain I understood in my learning-to-sew was how to use scissors to avoid getting the fabric askew.  it was a matter of recognizing how to keep them flat to the table top.  Rotary cutters have a learning curve but are an asset.  MO.

   Fabric handling come into play in stitching as well.

   nepa

3. 
   Palady | Mar 31, 2010 01:40pm | #3

   An added thought on pins or weights.  Scissors vs rotary come into the picture for accurate cuting out. 

   One point mother made certain I understood in my learning-to-sew was how to use scissors to avoid getting the fabric askew.  it was a matter of recognizing how to keep them flat to the table top.  Rotary cutters have a learning curve but are an asset.  MO.

   Fabric handling come into play in stitching as well.

   nepa

4. 
   natsnasus | Apr 02, 2010 07:38pm | #4

   Pins or weights

   I agree with the former seamstresses about which to use regarding which type of fabric. I tend to use weights when my fabric is NOT slippery. That is it is NOT a sheer like chiffon or some other such very slidy type fabric. I usually use pins for this type of fabric. I have used weights on slippery fabrics with great success, don't get me wrong, but I really don't feel as secure about the piece being cut as accurately as I do when using pins. Sometimes I tape the selvedges down to my cutting table wne I'm ready to place my pattern pieces down and pin them.

   With that being said, it does take a lot of practice to know how to put in a pin without picking up the fabric, so that it doesn't move. And I also agree about the usage of scissors versus a rotary cutter. I tend to use a rotary cutter more and more these days, it's so much fun! But I DO still use scissors and yes, you do have to keep the scissors on the table and cut big strokes and have very sharp blades. I find the seamstresses with the most trouble with cutting are usually those who haven't sharpened their scissors.

   I hope this helps.

5. 
   Palady | Apr 02, 2010 07:52pm | #5

   Because I'm unaware of how to post to "All" in this new platform, I used that of the first member.

   I am totally cluless as to how my post on scissors/rotary cutter was repeated.  The all of the current board sure does present wonders & challenges!

   nepa 

1. 
   ThreadKoe | Apr 16, 2010 11:22am | #6

   Pins or weights?

   I learned to use pins, laying them in proper position to accommodate the use of scissors.  I tend to use both pins and weights on slippery fabrics,   I use the weights as I move along cutting.  I like to keep my pieces together, so I leave a few in to be able to move the parts around and not have them separate.  That being said, I use very few pins, lol.  I am not that adept at using a rotary cutter, except on very long cuts, or gentle curves.  The ruler can help by being an added weight on straight cuts. 

   Cathy

6. 
   gailete | May 04, 2010 01:32pm | #7

   My hubby is a piano restorer and he had a whole bunch of lead weights that he gave me to weigh down my fabric. I weigh everything now and cut whenever possible with a rotary cutter. I find I can go faster and my hands don't ache for the rest of the day if I do it this weigh.