Here are some useful, safer and interesting alternatives to pins for when you are Overlocking / Serging.
Warning!: They have lots of other uses too - if you get some you'll probably want to keep buy more!
Both types of clips we've looked at here are relatively inexpensive and would make a great little gift for someone who uses an Overlocker / Serger or a straight sewing machine.
Or maybe just treat yourself!
Ottemax Multipurpose Sewing Clips for Overlocking
Pack of 60 items
Size: 25 x 8 x 13mm
Material: clear and coloured plastic (they are reusable)
Look Good
These are a great Overlocking or Serging accessory to use as an alternative to regular sewing pins.
For a start they look good as they are mainly clear plastic but also are in part coloured with a range of assorted cheerful colours.
Easy and Safe to Use
They’re easier to use than pins and they’re not sharp so ideal if you’re sewing in a family environment where children or pets could be hurt by an all-too-easily dropped pin. Also far better for someone who is teaching children how to sew or learn overlocking. If you drop them on the floor, or on carpeting for example, they are easy to find unlike pins which can easily get lost in a carpet or rug, only to be painfully found a few days later!
Can Handle Thick Fabrics
These clips’ jaws open to a width of 1cm in the clasp, so they can accommodate quite wide or fluffy fabrics which you may be overlocking. They are well manufactured using a good quality plastic, so they don’t break or snap easily and are sturdy. They are strong enough to hold reasonably weighty fabrics together or holding a bundle of papers if you prefer.
Have Measurements Marked On
We love that they are manufactured with markings on them at 5mm, 7mm and 10mm on a flat base so you can use them to guide you along the width of the hem or seam you are overlocking on. So if, for example you are using them to sew / overlock a hem you can see from the measure marks where the hem should be which helps keep your sewing line accurate and neat! It also saves time with pre-measuring as effectively you measure as you work.
No Sharp Bits
They don’t catch like pins, if the project you’re working on folds over on itself or if you accidentally run your hand over them and if you’re working on clothing it’s all too easy to leave a pin in an item by mistake (who hasn’t done that?!) which can hurt someone. But these are easy to spot and in any case, not dangerous.
Don’t Damage Fabric or Craft Items
Unlike pins, which leave small holes, they don’t damage more delicate fabrics you may be overlocking such as silk, vinyl or leather by leaving little holes.
Similarly, if you use them to display items on a pinboard you don’t end up with holes in the items being displayed.
Quick to Remove when Overlocking / Serging at Speed
We especially like them for overlocking / serging, rather than pins, because they are quicker to remove then pins. If you like overlocking / serging at a fast pace then you can remove these very quickly as the fabric approaches the needles.
Safe for Children
If you are teaching children to sew then they are a better and safer alternative than pins and they are also easier to make small adjustments to if the positioning is not quite right.
Useful for Many Craft Types and Home Purposes
They can also be used for a whole range of crafts, not just overlocking or sewing. They can be used like paperclips to organise papers and home documents.
Used for Display
They can be used for display purposes, for example you can hang them on a rope to display cards, Christmas cards or hanging items for children’s games. They can also be used for hanging display artwork eg. children’s drawings.
They are nice to look at, as they are a range of colours as well as being transparent and they look good on notice boards or hanging up for crafts.
They can be used for all sorts of handicraft, including crochet and knitting.
Even Used in the Kitchen
As well as just sewing / overlocking they can even be used for home purposes such as freezer bags, temporarily sealing part used packets.
We're an Amazon affiliate and we hope you love the clips we've recommended here. Just so you know we may collect a small share of Amazon sales from links on this page. Thank you for using our links, we really appreciate it. If you have any feedback for us, or can find better clips, we'd be pleased to hear from.
Ottemax 15 Pack Stainless Steel Sewing Clips for Overlocking
Colour: Silver
Material: Stainless steal
Size (length): 4 inches
Dimensions: 15 x 7 x 1.4cm
15 in a pack
Well Made
These clips are made from a good quality stainless steal have a nice feel to them. They are smooth, fairly robust and are anti-rust so they should last you a long time! Perfect for your overlocking / serging!
Measurements Marked on
They are a great time saving device because they have measurements marked on them and you can measure and adjust at the same time as you overlock / serge or just straight sew, and you easily get a neat, straight edge. This is particularly valuable if you are using an overlocker / serger which is cutting the fabric as you stitch and if you cut to much there is no second chance.
Many Uses
They can be used for a range of sewing functions such as stitching or overlocking hems on clothing turning up or adjusting curtains and pelmets, turning up trousers, sleeves and skirts etc. If you are turning up trousers for yourself, for example, you can easily ensure that you are turning them up an equal an even amount all the way around.
Use like a Hair Grip
These clips work by opening up, much like a typical hair grip (sprung closed), and then slid over the folded fabric in position ready to sew.
Don't Leave Holes Like Pins
They are ideal if you are working on fabric where you do not want to use pins, for example vinyl, leather, silks etc, where pins would leave holes.
Easy to Use and Safer for Children
They really are easy to use and are certainly easier and safer than pins obviously as they don’t have a point to stick in you. They are safer than pins if you are teaching children how to sew and, generally, if you are working in a home environment. Unlike pins, they are easy to find if they are dropped on a carpet or rug!
Can Use on Heavy Fabrics
Work on quite heavy fabrics such as curtain fabric and they hold the fabric firmly, in fact they probably work better on heavier fabrics than on very fine and slippy fabrics.
Useful for Arts and Crafts
Of course they are not just useful for sewing and overlocking but also for other arts and crafts. They can hold papers together while you cut or even hold items together while glue dries, for example.
All in all, these are extremely useful to have in your overlocking / serging or basic sewing kit. They probably won’t replace pins completely but once you get used to them you’ll wonder how you managed without them!
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