Pinking shears are a fantastic tool to add to your sewing kit. They are not something you will need right away, but once you get all the basics stocked and are ready to add on some of the extras, pinking shears should be at the top of the list. (Especially if you are making garments.) You can also get a pinking blade for your rotary cutter!
Quick Tips for Using Pinking Shears
When you don’t want to hem or bind a seam allowance, but you are worried about fraying, pinking shears come to the rescue. Once you have finished sewing your seam, iron open the seams and then use your pinking shears on just the very edge of the seam allowance.
If you are using a less stable fabric that frays very easily, it can help to sew a straight seam just inside the pinking cuts (but still in the seam allowance). This will just help guarantee that there is no fraying.
If you are cutting a lot of pieces for a project that are going to be handled a lot before sewing (think charm packs), you can also use your pinking blade or shears.
Do you have any favorite tips or tricks for using pinking shears? Leave us a comment below or share with us on Facebook!
Related video: How to Hold Scissors to Reduce Hand Fatigue
I don’t seem to be able to get a line of “v’s” that are even. My pinking shears are old (59 yes) but still in good shape, plus they are for left-handed people. I just can’t get that nice v-cut so I don’t really use them. Any hints are welcome!
Is there an easy way to sharpen pinking shears?
Ticket 38644 I love pinking shears I just bought a new pair. BUT I find they are hard on my hands. Is it ok to use WD-40 to loosen them up?
Hi Donna!
This is what our experts had to say:
You should be able to put a small amount of lubricant on the little rod that holds the two handles together, however I don’t recommend putting it on the two blades themselves, as that will just transfer to the fabric. In general, pinking shears take a few uses to “loosen up” because of the nature of the ‘teeth’ on the blades.
Thank you!
You can sharpen them with a fine file just like normal knives or scissors but you’d have to patiently go back and forth over every blade segment. If you aren’t used to sharpening normal knives, I wouldn’t start with pinking shears…
I like haw they explain!
I bought new pinking shears and have only used them for a couple of months but now I need to use 2 hands to make them open and close. This is my second pair and the same thing has happened. There is no problem with the sharpness. I just cut once and need 2 hands to pull them apart so I can make the second cut and again for the next cut. I tried the oiling but it didn’t help. Not efficient or straight.
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I am very disappointed in this article. Your article claimed to tell how to use pinking shears. However, when a legitimate question was raised regarding difficulty using pinking shears, the answer was “you have to pay for the answer”.
Hello Susie,
Thank you for your feedback. I have forwarded your comment to the proper department. We value your opinion and it will help with the development of our online streaming community. We will continue to listen and work hard for your complete satisfaction.
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National Sewing Circle Video Membership
Some scissors are fasted together with a screw. If yours are like that, you might be able to loosen them little.
What pinking shears are best for weak hands?
Kai.com has pinking shears and other cutting implements. They are made in Japan. Excellent quality. I have about 6 different products from them, including pinking shears, rotary cutters, embroidery & sewing & quilting scissors. Have been using them for over 30 years. I don’t think they charge shipping or tax. I have all of their embroidery scissors. They have a booth at the International Quilt show in Houston, TX every year. They may be able to help with sharpening too!
I’ve always wondered if pinking shears (for fabrics) exist in different cuts, as they do for paper : wavy, scallop shape etc. The paper ones do not cut fabric at all. Does anyone have the answer ?
Yes, there are different kinds of pinking shears. Choose small zigzag teeth if you’re using them with doll clothes and other small crafts/projects. The scalloped shears are really nice on wool felt but these shears are more costly than the zigzag kind. The craft scissors with different blade edges are NOT for fabric or felt – that’s the kind for paper only.
Thank you Linda for your answer. Now the big question : where can I find such shears ? I have never come across them in any shop on the web. Is it allowed to name a site in this discussion ? I’m sure it would be a help to a lot of people.
Ever since I got pinking shears, I’ve had trouble. I seem to be able to only cut with the first 5 or 6 teeth, not the whole shear, like regular scissors. Is there a trick to this that I don’t know about? I have my moms, some I bought at estate sales and some I bought, all brand names, and all are sharp because I don’t know how to use them:( Help!!!! :)
I have the same problem. Even new shears didn’t help.
quite interested in your website. Show me what you <ve got please.
I want to order some pinking shears. Mainly to use on fabric to keep it from unraveling. I’m not sure which mm teeth, space between the teeth, to get.
Is there any way you can sharpen pinking shears? I love the pair I have and they have ‘worn in’ well. However, there will come a time, I know when they will need sharpening and I can’t see how it could be done. Any tips or will I have to fork out for a new pair?
Hi Janice,
As far as I know there isn’t a product out there that easily sharpens pinking shears (like there is with scissors). There are people who say that cutting aluminum foil will sharpen them, however having tried it, I didn’t find that it worked that well. There are local sewing and quilting shops that do sharpening, as well as ones where you mail in your shears. Here’s just an example of one:
http://www.simplysharper.com/fabric.php
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Ashley NSC Video Membership
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Actually aluminum foil is not very good for sharpening scissors. My uncle, who is a wood worker, advised to cut through fine grain sand paper with your scissors — this puts a fine edge on them and it can be done over and over again without damaging them.
I have tried both methods and neither was successful. Thanks for the reply though.
Many thanks. I too also tried the aliminium foil without success. Also tried sandpaper but then saw that this can also damage the cutting edge. I will ask at a local retailers as they advertise sharpening or lawn mowers and garden implements. Worth a try!
If you have an Ace Hardware store, they can sharpen for you or will send them out. I took my mom’s 50 year old steel pinking sheers to have them sharpened and it was less than $10. Sharpest scissors in my sewing arsenal!
I had mine sharpened at a local quilt shop.
after watching a video the other day – they stressed keeping your shears clean…using sewing machine oil, wiping and cutting to clean…. haven’t tried but i have a pair of pinking shears that are prob 50 years old and want to keep them as they are well made!
I have the pair I got in highschool which is a very long time ago. We learned to use them yo cut steelwool to keep them clean and sharp
I had a professional sharpen my pinking shears and fabric shears. He used to be at one of our fabric stores once a month
Sometimes cutting a steel wool pad will sharpen them.
Although they come in handy … I find that my cotton fabric still frays. Especially when I use them to trim my fabric before washing it … Not as much as if I didn’t use them though. I really like them on fleece for certain projects … maybe a little crazy check would help too 😀
Sorry … I meant fray check
I like the sound of “crazy check”. Do you know where I can get me some of that? ;-D
Nearly all fabric stores i.e., JoAnn’s carries Fray Check.
I think she really wanted the “crazy check” (don’t we all these days?) not the actual Fray Check. It was a bit of sarcasm on her part, and I approve!
Same problem I get with my Cotton’s they still fray
Pinking shears are a tool..not a miracle end all frays.. Also there are different grades.. Light weight, medium, heavy. With all things you get what you pay for as well as how you maintain and use them. Each grade of pinking shears will show the wear you give them. Don’t use lightweight on heavy fabric etc. I like to use the same oil I use on my sewing machine and how often depends on my project. Aluminum foil is also sold in different grade quality. If you buy the good stuff you will see the results. Steel wool is way better but also has different grades/quality. All of these factors effect the outcome of your pinking shear use and sharpening. Summary: want the easy way out of fraying? You can’t be cheap or lazy!