Did you know that pinning doesn’t always make your quilt seams more accurate? It’s true! If you don’t pin correctly, your carefully cut pieces can still shift as they move through the sewing machine.
In fact, for most quilts, I avoid pinning altogether. Yes, you read that correctly! If I don’t need to use pins, I won’t - and more often than not, I find that I don’t need them. With good pressing techniques, you can often eliminate the need for pins entirely.
If You Do Pin, Pin Correctly
So, let’s get back to the question: Why doesn’t pinning always make accurate seams?
One common mistake is placing pins along the seam line. When you do this, the two layers of fabric can still move under the pressure of the presser foot. The pin may hold the fabrics together, but it doesn’t necessarily prevent them from shifting as they pass through the machine.
Instead, always pin perpendicular to the seam line. Your pins should be straight across the seam rather than sitting on an angle. This helps keep the fabric layers aligned as you sew.
The type of pin you use can also make a difference. Fine pins are much less bulky and cause less disruption to the fabric layers. Look for pins that are no thicker than .4mm - I find there is very little movement between the fabrics when using them. Here is one I use, but there are other brands as well, just look for the diameter on the packet.
When I Don’t Pin
I rarely pin when sewing straight blocks, strip piecing, or joining rows of blocks together. I simply don’t find that I need to.
Instead, I press my seams in opposite directions and butt the seams together. As I sew, I hold the join together with my fingers while I feed the fabric through the machine. I hold it for as long as I safely can before the join reaches the presser foot.
Once that seam is past the needle, I move on to the next seam, match it together, hold it in place with my fingers, and continue sewing in the same way.
This simple technique works surprisingly well and saves a lot of time that would otherwise be spent pinning and removing pins.
When a Pin Really Is Helpful
Of course, there are times when a pin can be useful. Angled seams can be more difficult to match easily. I've written a lesson on how to pin Angled Seams
And.... if my block seams aren’t meeting as well as I’d like, I may use a pin to hold the seam intersection in place. There’s another little trick I use here, too: I sew with the smaller section on top.
The natural movement and pressure of the presser foot tends to drag the top layer slightly as it passes underneath. By placing the smaller section on top, this movement can help the seams meet more accurately.
However, there is a limit to what this technique can fix. If you have a huge amount of stretching or easing required to make your pieces fit together, don’t rely on a pin - or the presser foot - to solve the problem.
Instead, stop and check your measurements, seam allowances, and cutting instructions. A large discrepancy may indicate that something has gone wrong earlier in the process.
Pressing Can Be Your Best Friend
Pins certainly have their place in quilting, but they aren’t always the answer to accurate piecing. Good cutting, accurate seam allowances, careful pressing, and learning how your sewing machine moves fabric can often do much more for your accuracy than a handful of pins.
Did you know that if you press your seam flat as sewn, it helps set the stitches in place making it easier to press it to one side or open?
So next time you’re piecing a quilt, try leaving the pins in the pincushion. Press your seams carefully, butt those intersections together, and see how accurately you can sew without them! (need more information about pressing? Check out this free lesson: Pressing Seams)
And if you do need a pin, remember: fine, straight, and perpendicular to the seam line is the way to go.
PS: If you’re inspired to get stitching, now is the perfect time to choose your next project! My bed quilt patterns are currently on sale and most have basic pinning requirements, so it’s a great opportunity to pick up a pattern and start creating a beautiful quilt without the need to pin. Check it out here: Quilt Pattern Sale
