7 Best Sewing Pins For Every Crafty Occasion

Have you ever gone to your local craft supply store, walked down the sewing notions aisle, and thought, “Wow! Why are there so many different types of pins?” I know I was confused when I first started my sewing obsession. 

In this post, I want to take away the mystery behind sewing pins by breaking down the uses of each pin and showing you which are the best pins for sewing, no matter what the project is. 

The Different Types of Sewing Pins

Pins are a universally used sewing notion in every sewing category, and it is essential to understand the differences between the different pins. Before discussing each specific pin in detail, let’s go over the different sewing pin types. 

• Safety Pins– This type is identified by a spring at one end of the pin and clasp closure at the other end. The closure serves two purposes: protecting the user from getting poked by the sharp pin and ensuring the pin doesn’t move or fall out of the fabric. They come in many different sizes, and you can use them in various applications.
• Straight Pins- The largest category of pins is the straight pin. These pins come in different widths and lengths, and sewists use them in almost every sewing project. The straight pin type is significant depending on what fabric you are using.
• Specialty Pins– Pins that fit this category are neither safety nor straight pins. They serve a particular purpose and aren’t as well-known or used. 

What Are the Best Sewing Pins?

There isn’t one specific pin that is the “best” for sewing, but there are universal pins that are used more often than others in basic crafting projects. The most used pins are universal straight pins. They will have either a ball or a flat head like the examples below. 

You can use these pins in many different ways and in various fabrics. However, I would not recommend using these pins in garment making or tailoring. There are pins made for specific materials, which we will go over later. 

Are Pins or Clips Better for Sewing?

The debate of the century! Okay, maybe it’s not THAT big of a discussion, but the popularity of clips has risen in the last few years, and it’s not surprising that this question comes up. 

So you want the truth? Well, the answer is… “Yes!” For some people, pins are better. But, for some other people, clips are better. This will be a common theme you will observe through my blog, where I always leave the door open to finding a new or better way of doing something. 

There is no “one way” of doing something in many instances, and pins vs. clips are the perfect example. I recommend trying both and finding out which you prefer for your own sewing needs. 

The Top 7 Sewing Pins For All Sorts of Sewing Projects

Now that we know the different types (categories) of sewing pins, let’s look at seven individual pins for sewing. We will identify what kind of fabric and project will work best for each pin.

1. Safety Pins

You can use safety pins for many different types of sewing and crafting. Most commonly, they are used for fastening pieces of fabric together. You can use them when piecing together a sewing project, such as handbags or fabric baskets.

Safety pins come in all sizes, from tiny ½” pins up to 3”-4” pins. They also come in different finishes, such as gold, zinc, and black matte finish. Here are a few different ways you can use them in your everyday sewing:

• Pin a pattern piece to the fabric for cutting. 
• Attach a slipcover to a piece of furniture.
• Baste a quilt. There are curved safety pins specifically made for basting a quilt. The curve makes it easier for the quilting pins to make their way through the layers of a quilt. 
• Pin a hem in place for easy sewing.
• Pull elastic through an elastic pocket. Place the pin through one end of the elastic, then use the pin to guide the elastic through the narrow pocket till you reach the other end of the pocket. 

2. T Pins

The T pin is the first straight pin we will be looking at in this list. As the name suggests, T pins are in a “T” shape and are utilized in many different artistic fields. Since they are metal, they can be in place in the fabric while you press, and they won’t warp or melt. 

They are a versatile tool since they are sturdy pins. The “T” shaped head of these pins is also unique because it is wide enough so it won’t get lost in the fibers of dense fabric, but it also will lay flat and not add extra bulk to the material. The width of this style pin ranges between 0.3mm-0.8mm, and the length can vary between ½” and 2”. 

Here are some of the uses of T-pins:

• Wig making
• Block piecing knitted projects
• Garment construction. A designer will use t-pins to pin the fabric on a mannequin to see how the fabric will lay. 
• Upholstering furniture with dense fabric. 

3. Dressmaker Pins

Another type of straight pin is the dressmaker (seamstress) pin. This pin looks like a small nail and has a flat head. The dressmaker pin is the most commonly used in garment making and tailoring. They come in various sizes, so check the manufacturer’s suggestions for appropriate fabrics for each size.

Light and medium-weight fabrics are your best choice for this style of pin, and the most popular size is “17,” which measures 1 1/16” long. If you need pins for materials such as satin or silk, you will need a smaller version of dressmaker pins called “silk pins.” These pins look like dressmaker pins; they have a smaller diameter that works perfectly with delicate fabrics. 

Let’s look at a few ways you can use dressmaker pins:

• Pin a hem in place.
• Piecing garments together.
• You can use them for string art too!

4. Glass Head Pins

The ever-versatile glass headpin is the most common in any craft store or sewing influencer’s photos and videos. They come in different colors and sizes and are helpful for various sewing projects. 

Some of the heads of these pins are made of glass; others are plastic or fake pearls. A con of this pin type is that you cannot press the fabric with the pins since the ends will warp or melt from the heat. 

Here are all the areas of sewing you can use this versatile pin:

• Clothes making
• Quilting
• Pattern piecing
• Applique
• Any other projects where you use medium-weight fabric, such as quilting cotton.

5. Flat Head Pins

Flat head pins are pretty similar to glass head pins. The only difference is the style of the head. Instead of having a small ball at the end of the pins, you will have a flat piece of plastic. 

These usually come in some super cute novelty images like hearts and buttons, as pictured above. Personally, these are my favorite type of pins to use for any fabric piecing. 

The flat head helps keep pieces in place. Here are a few other projects that I have found this type of pin to excel in:

• Holding a zipper in place
• Piecing quilt blocks
• Applique

6. Ballpoint Pins

At first glance, ballpoint pins look the same as glass head pins. But the vast difference is the sharpness of the pin. Glass head pins are sharp and pointy, whereas ballpoint pins are blunt and slightly rounded.

They are perfect for use with stretch-knit fabrics. They won’t snag the fibers of the material or leave unwanted holes. Ballpoint pins will be helpful when working on these types of projects:

• Garment making
• Tailoring
• Any other kind of project that will use knit fabrics

7. Fork Pins

Fork pins are in the shape of a long “U” and are a popular choice in the quilting community to match up seams perfectly. The way they work is the gap of the pin straddles the seam allowance, and each pin is then placed on either side of the seam allowance to hold them in place. 

Fork pins can also use them in garment making and other sewing projects. The only downside is they are usually a bit more expensive than regular straight pins, but this specialty pin will come in handy, and you’ll wonder what you did without them. 

Projects to try out fork pins in:

• Matching up seams in regular patchwork
• Secure lining fabric for sewing garments
• Hold multiple fabrics together for bag making or other crafts

I hope this post will take some guesswork out of finding the best sewing pins for your crafty needs. When in doubt, go with a universal size pin and always test the pins in a scrap of fabric before you start poking into your project fabric (especially if it’s an expensive fabric.)

Thank you so much for stopping by and reading this far! Let me know what your preferred pin is in the comments below!