Pinking Shears Question

[Tiskets]

Hi,

Could I please ask for advice on which pinking shears would be best for cutting around smallish shapes on fine material and would shears of a smaller length be better?

Thank you.

[bykimbo]

It will come as no surprise that I haven't the least idea, I'm just bumping it for the morning shift.

[HerMajesty]

No clue - but ditto on the bump......

[Gill]

From my own experience the smaller shears are easier to handle. The last pair I bought were about 6/7" and cost £15. They are so expensive so try to handle them to get the feel before buying.

[Tiskets]

Thank you for bumping Kim and Ma'am.

Thank you Tiz, I'll definitely try them first. I need to crimp some small amounts of very fine material because it doesn't allow for a hem around and thought the shears might be the best or only solution.

[PoppyGrove]

If its a very fine fabric and you're looking to do a hem, have you thought of using an over stitch - if thats the correct name for it. Set your machine to do a zig, with the shortest possible gap between each stitch and the stitch size to suit personal taste and stitch away. It will have a similar effect to what I've doen here around the edge of the motive - but as you're going around a hem it will give it a nice edge with no fraying.

Link to pic to show stitch example - http://www.ebid.net/forums/album.php...chmentid=17804

[Tiskets]

Hi Babs,

Thank you, but I can't do a hem on this article because it has to lie really flat with no bumps, hence the pinking shears question. I need to cut around an intricately shaped pattern so it doesn't fray and then embroider and bead the cut material onto the layer underneath.

I will experiment with the shears then if that doesn't work will have to think again.

Thank you, Barbara.

[PoppyGrove]

No problem - it sounds like you're doing applique work - not an area that I'm familiar with even though I've dabbled in it. Is there a fabric glue that you could apply to the edges to prevent fraying - or, going back to days when ladies wore tights and it was not fashionable to have ladders in them - clear nail varnish painted on the edge perhaps. I know I may be clutching at straws, but thinking of ideas that may help you to get the finish you want without spoiling your work.

[Tiskets]

Thanks, Babs, that is a wonderful suggestion. Will try that as well. Going to clear everything for the weekend and shut myself away and try everything.

[billsstamps]

Pinking shears are size related.
Pinking a large object looks good, but the smaller the object, the more it gets to look like Lisa Simpson's haircut