The history of pinking can be traced back to the 18th century. In the past, a zigzag edge was achieved by cutting the fabric manually using a sharp chisel.
Pinking is simpler now than ever before thanks to pinking shears, – a specialised pair of scissors. With proper execution, pinking prevents fabrics from fraying and can give a more attractive edge.
Pinking shears are scissors with a saw-toothed blade instead of a straight one, creating a pointed zigzag edge. This is done so that the edges of fabrics don’t become easily frayed.
The scissors are sometimes referred to as zigzag scissors because of the jagged zigzag pattern they create with their triangular teeth. The benefits are obvious at first glance: the process is fast, and simple, and helps prevent the cloth from bulging at the seams, which can happen when using a sewing machine to sew a zigzag.
How to Use Pinking Scissors
Despite the ease with which zigzag scissors can be handled and their cutting power, you should practise cutting on a small scrap of fabric before attempting your actual project. The quality of the cut will suffer if the scissors are not held in a perfectly straight position. Also, it’s best to cut only as many layers as necessary at once.
The scissors are opened, as usual, then the fabric is inserted all the way to the second rear tooth, and the scissors are closed again. So it’s the same as you would with regular scissors, more or less.
The next time you cut, all you have to do is position the scissors in the precise spot where the previous jagged edge was. Each time you make a cut in the fabric, the scissors’ teeth fall in line with the previous one. In addition to a neat, attractive zigzag, this guarantees a consistent result.
Here’s a guide on their benefits and how to use them properly
Pinking shears are a lifesaver when you don’t want to hem or bind a seam allowance but are concerned about fraying. First, sew your seam then iron it open and trim the seam allowance with pinking shears.
Sewing a straight seam directly within the pinking cuts might be helpful when working with less sturdy fabrics that fray readily (but still in the seam allowance). This will just aid in ensuring that no fraying occurs.
The pinking blade or shears can be useful if you need to cut a large number of components that will be handled frequently before sewing.
What to Look for When Scissors Shopping
Pinking shears are a worthwhile investment because they are an essential part of the tailoring toolkit. You can get them in a variety of sizes and lengths to suit your needs. Choose a model that has blades made of stainless steel for optimal performance.
Remember that, like the regular scissors, the pinking scissors you use in the sewing room should only be used to cut cloth and nothing else. Using pinking shears, the paper may also be used to create wonderful crafts, but may cause them to dull permanently.
To ensure a clean cut, and blades that stay sharp for longer, always opt for a premium professional shear. Of course, the price may be a little higher, but the durability and performance would be well worth it.
We recommend Professional Grade Pinking Scissors by Prym
Prym’s Pinking shears are of the highest quality, with blades from the renowned Japanese manufacturer KAI.
These Prym Pinking Shears are versatile enough to be used for anything from cutting single textiles to easily slicing through multiple layers of cloth. Useful for everything from leather and cotton crafting to trimming beautiful paper and cards.
Thanks to the ergonomic soft grip, they are very easy to hold, and they make clean cuts without snagging the fabric. The big eye of the scissors can accommodate up to four fingers, allowing for pressure-free operation while still transferring as much force as possible to the premium stainless steel pinking blades.
Comfortable cutting is ensured not only by the handles but also by the position of the blades, which have been arranged so that the entire length of the lower blade lies straight on the work area.
Other Uses for Zigzag Scissors
Pinking shears, while practical, can be used for other reasons as well. Excellent appliqués and ornamental designs can also be cut out.
Zigzag Scissors for Sewing, Embroidery, and Tailoring on Fabric, Paper, and Craft Materials.
You can cut out some red hearts using pinking shears, and then topstitch the edges with various stitches for added flair.
How about cutting a sun or a star shape, to make a pendant or cup coaster as a fun kids’ craft project? Using pinking scissors to cut these shapes would give these shapes a fun flair.
For trimming excess fabric from the outside of seams, these specialised shears are also incredibly useful.
