- Place the fabric on a worktable, so that it lies flat.
- Lift the fabric slightly with one hand, and move the shears so that the fabric is between the blades.
- Cut the fabric as you normally would with fabric scissors, keeping teh blades straight and not on an angle for the best results
Full Answer
Can you use pinking shears on fabric?
Some specialized pinking shears are made for use on fabric as well as leather, paper, and other materials. In most cases, however, anything except fabric will dull your shears. To avoid having to sharpen your shears often, primarily cut fabric. Pick pinking shears for fabrics with solid colors.
How do you sharpen pinking shears?
When your shears are dull, use a sharpening wheel or sandpaper to maintain your shears. For routine maintenance, sharpen your scissors every four to six months. Do not use aluminum foil to sharpen pinking shears, as this method is ineffective on the jagged edges. Cut wax paper with your shears. Pinking shears cut well with some lubrication.
How do you keep pinking shears from rusting?
Keep an eye out for rust. Rusty pinking shears can make your fabric fray, even after cutting. If you spot any rust, rub it off vigorously using steel wool and dish soap. Dip your scissors in vinegar and scrub it clean, if your shears suffer from heavy rusting.
How do you cut fabric without fraying?
These specialized scissors with zigzag cutting edges make dozens of small cuts on the bias, or diagonal, of the fabric, discouraging fraying and unraveling. This method is effective on tightly woven fabrics, but loose weaves can unravel easily even with bias cuts.
How to sharpen pinking shears?
Dull pinking shears will make frayed cuts. When your shears are dull, use a sharpening wheel or sandpaper to maintain your shears. For routine maintenance, sharpen your scissors every four to six months.
Why do pinking shears cut taffeta?
This is because the ridge left over by the shears is less thick and because the shears don't have to cut through too many layers. Bulky fabrics are usually harder to cut in a straight line.
How to keep pinking scissors from sticking?
If your shears are sharpened but still fray your fabric, try cutting a few rows of wax paper. Wax residue will transfer to the shears and make your scissors less prone to sticking. Oil your pinking shears. On occasions where cutting wax paper does not keep your shears lubricated enough, clean your scissors with oil.
How to get rust off of fabric?
If you spot any rust, rub it off vigorously using steel wool and dish soap. Dip your scissors in vinegar and scrub it clean , if your shears suffer from heavy rusting.
What is the best fabric for pinking?
Tightly woven fabrics fray less and are best for pinking. Non-stretchy woven fabrics work particularly well if you want the cleanest cut. Examples of woven fabrics include: chiffon, denim, flannel, taffeta, crepe, kashmir silk, and chintz.
How to make pink hems look neat?
3. Cut the seam in a straight line. Pinked hems look neat and tidy when cut in a straight line. If you have trouble keeping your scissors steady, use a ruler to measure your cut as you go. Make your way carefully through the fabric's edge to avoid wavering lines.
How to keep wax paper from rusting?
On occasions where cutting wax paper does not keep your shears lubricated enough, clean your scissors with oil. Open your scissors and place a few drops on the pivot between the blades. Open and close your scissors several times, then wipe off residual oil with a dry cloth. Keep an eye out for rust.
What Are Pinking Shears?
Pinking shears are a type of scissor used in sewing to trim seam allowance and stop fabric fraying.
How Do Pinking Shears Work?
Because pinking shears are specialized scissors, they use a pinking blade to cut a zigzag pattern in fabric.
Why Should You Use Pinking Shears?
While they will never beat the straight edge achieved with other fabric cutting tools like regular scissors or a standard rotary cutter when cutting out fabric to make your own clothes with, pinking shears really do have a place in any sewing toolkit.
How Do You Cut Fabric With Pinking Shears?
To cut fabric with pinking shears, you’ll want to use a woven fabric with minimal / no stretch.
6 Best Pinking Shears Brands
You’re convinced that you need a pair, but what are the best pinking shears for fabric?
5 Common Questions About Pinking Shears
Okay, now that you know why you should have a pair and how to cut fabric with these fabric shears, let’s cover some common questions!
Final Thoughts On Pinking Shears
While not everyone loves them, these type of dressmaking shears do have their place in a sewing kit.
What is an overlock sewing machine?
A serger , or overlock machine, is a specialized sewing machine that creates a durable edge on fabric using four or five separate threads that lock around the edge of the seam. This overlock stitch prevents fraying and allows movement in stretch fabrics. The serger cuts off the seam allowance as it sews, creating a finished seam in one simple step. Serged hems and seams are common on commercial knits.
Do knits fray?
Leave polar fleece and felt unfinished because of their strong, clean edges. Many knits don't fray, although they will roll if seams aren't finished. Other choices include suede, microsuede, velvet and vinyl.
How much does it cost to sharpen fabric scissors?
Sending your fabric scissors to a professional sharpening company is the best way to sharpen them. This will cost approximately $7 – 20 (£6 – 15), plus postage and packaging for a mail-in service. You don’t need to do it often.
What is a burr in sharpening?
Tom explained that a ‘burr’ is “a piece of ragged metal that is formed while sharpening”. “This needs removing carefully or the blade blunts itself, it drags material, or [it] can cut you.”. He also mentioned that these at-home sharpening tools “are made from plastic and this wears.
Can you sharpen pinking shears at home?
Tom from Pro Sharp said “it is not possible to sharpen pinkers at home. These need sharpening at the correct angle and all makes differ. They must never be sharpened between the teeth with a file .”. If you don’t have a local store that can service your pinking shears, using a mail-in service is a great option.
What is pinking shear?
Pinking shears are similar to scissors except that they have a serrated edge that creates a zigzag cut on the edge of the fabric. Pinking produces a clean edge, and it's very easy to do.
How to apply interfacing to fabric?
To apply the interfacing to the fabric edge, first cut a piece of interfacing that is 1/2 inch wide and the same length as the untreated fabric edge. Place the interfacing with the webbed-side down onto the fabric's wrong-side edge, lining up the edges of the fabric and the interfacing.
How to apply fabric sealant?
To apply fabric sealants, trim any loose threads from the edge of the fabric. Squeeze the tube to apply a thin coat to the edges of the fabric. The sealant will dry clear.
Can you use pinking shears on fabric?
As an alternative, look for a rotary cutter that has a pinking blade. While pinking shears will reduce fraying, they won't prevent it completely.
Can you sew a frayed edge?
Image Credit: serezniy/iStock/GettyImages. Woven fabrics such as cotton are likely to fray on the edges if left untreated if they're not hemmed. The most common way to prevent fraying is to sew the edge; however, if you do not own a sewing machine, that won't work. In that case, there are several alternative methods to keep fabric ...
Can fabric sealant cause discoloration?
Cloudy fabric sealant could cause discoloration when applied. Fabric sealants dry clear and won't stiffen the fabric. The sealants are designed to last through multiple washes, but you may find that the sealant becomes weaker with each wash.
