Pinking shears seam

What is a pinking shears seam?

A pinking shear seam is when you finish fabric edges by clicking or cutting them with a pinking share. The zigzag design prevents fabric weaving of the serrated cut edges, so the sewing thread cannot go through them straight.

How do pinking shears prevent fabric fraying?

The zigzag design spreads the fabric’s stress points, allowing for uniform loads on the seams. This means the material is less likely to come loose and the edges undone.

Why should I use pinking shears for my seams?

Prevent Fraying

The main reason for using pinking shears is to keep the raw edges away from your fabric, thus making your projects more durable and pleasant-looking.

Reduce Bulk

Unlike other finishing methods, pinking shears do not add extra thickness, making them ideal for lighter fabrics or layers.

Quick and Easy

For many sewers, using pinking shears is a quick and straightforward method to finish seams without requiring specialized sewing skills.

What kinds of fabric are best suited for a pinking shear seam?

Pinking shears are a good option for the following fabrics: chiffon and charmeuse. They are not allowed to stretchy materials as the zigzag stitch on the edges crushes it.

How do I make the most out of pinking shears?

Test on Scraps

Before cutting the piece, you should test the shears and see how the fabric reacts to this cutting.

Sharpness is Important

Have your pinking shears sharp so that the fabric has a neat cut. Thin blades like these cut the fabric and make it a space, allowing damage to be done.

Producing the Sharpest Cuts

Necessarily, one should always align the shears for the cut so the zigzag cutting will be consistent along the edge of the fabric.

Combine Methods

To fizzle the working project, a person can use the pinking cutting methods and other finishes like serging and zigzag.

Can pinking shears replace other seam finishes?

While a great way to prevent fraying cut-off edges, pinking shears can produce different results depending on the material. You should use them in addition to various other seam finishes for fabrics inclined to fray or for rugged work requiring a more durable finish.