19 August, 2010

Confession...

... is good for the soul!

I am a pin-aholic. I pin freely and with wild abandon, I observe no limits. I used to sew right over them. I know better. When I taught quilt classes I warned all my students about sewing over pins, I suppose I thought I was more careful than they would be. I didn't get concerned unless I hit a pin and actually broke a needle, that would slow me down, for a while. But, like all ----aholics, I would slowly resume my former habit. Until now. I'm practicing what I preach. I have a pincushion full of bent pins pointing me toward the error of my ways and a receipt for expensive machine repairs. What's more compelling, passionate and insistent than the confession of anyone who has turned their life around? Nothing.

"I am Mrs. Goodneedle and I used to sew over pins."
Life is Good!

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9 comments:

Paula, the quilter said...

I, too, pin a lot. I still sew over them but only when I use the treadle machine.

lindsey said...

When I was at school I was taught that I COULD sew over pins but have been caught out and so I no longer do it...such a pain to have to replace the needle in the middle of a sewing project!

Pat said...

I pin too, but I try to pull the pin before I get to the point where I would be sewing over it. In addition to running the risk of breaking the needle, thus causing me to scream and scare beJesus out of the cat, I find that sewing over a pin can also cause a little glitch/bump in the stiching line. Someone once told me that if you really really need to hold the fabric in place for a crucial seam match, to use double-sided tape just below the stitching line. I've never actually tried it, but it sounds like it would work.

Old habits die hard, though.

Nane said...

Dont ask...Dont tell
But if you look at my pin cushion you will see a few bent ones.

Teresa said...

I am a recovering pin-sewer-over too, so if you ever fill the urge, just give me a call and I will talk you through it.

I learned a neat trick from my friend Darlene. If you need to pin seams together so they line up - pin at an angle...then you can sew right up to the seam without removing the pin. Works like a charm.

Karen Newman Fridy said...

I usually don't sew over pins, but I will confess to having used my Ginghers for paper in an emergency (GASP!! My mom would not be happy!)

Angie said...

You are adorable! I wish I had something cut and READY to pin! :/

Toni said...

I'm proud of you :) Old ways are hard and with new machines being so sensitive a pin can be your worst enemy! If you slip and sew over another one, no worries tomorrow is always a new day! :)

Carrie P. said...

I am glad to hear you"used to" sew over pins.