Steel sewing pins
Straight steel sewing pins
Straight pins with a small metal head: Prym hardened steel 34×0.60 mm and Prym soft steel 26×0.65 mm in 500-gram packs, Prym 34×0.60 mm in an octagonal box, and nickel-plated sewing pins in a round box. For precise pinning of patterns, sewing, pattern work and crafts.
Products: 6
How to read the size on a pin package
The package shows two numbers in millimetres: length and thickness. For example, 34×0.60 is a pin 34 mm long and 0.60 mm thick. The length determines how many layers the pin can hold, and the thickness determines the size of the hole left in the fabric. A fine pin passes through dense, delicate fabric without damaging it, while a thicker pin holds better in heavy fabrics.
Hardened steel vs. soft steel
Hardened steel: The pin is springy, returns to shape after pressure, and the point stays sharp. Suited to repeated pinning, dense fabrics and everyday work in a sewing workshop.
Soft steel: Bends easily, and suits crafts, decoration, pinning into cork and polystyrene, and projects where the pin stays in place.
Neither type is stainless steel, so keep the pins dry.
Why choose a pin without a plastic head
There is no head to melt on contact with an iron, so you can press close to the pins. Don't iron directly over them, so as not to leave a mark on the fabric.
The small head barely lifts the fabric, which matters in pattern making and when pinning a paper pattern.
Packaging by weight suits a workshop that works at high volume and replaces bent pins without a second thought.
500 grams, an octagonal box or a round box
500-gram packs are designed for sewing workshops, tailors and fashion schools. The small octagonal Prym box is handy for the work table and a bag. The round box with a foam pad keeps the pins organised and lets you stick a pin in the foam between uses.
Professional tips
Pin perpendicular to the seam line and pull the pins out before the fabric reaches the needle. Sewing over a pin can break the needle or bend the pin.
Collect pins with a magnet and store them in a closed box.
A bent pin or one with a damaged point goes in the bin. It tears fibres and leaves a hole.
In delicate fabrics such as silk and satin, pin within the seam allowance so the hole won't show.
Common mistakes
Using a thick pin on delicate fabric. The hole remains after you pull it out.
Leaving steel pins in damp fabric. They may rust and stain.
Choosing a short pin for several layers of fabric. It slips out on its own while you work.
More pins
For a pin with a large, prominent head, see pearl-head and jewelled-head pins, and for locking pins see safety pins. All pins are gathered under pins, and the other tools under sewing notions and sewing equipment.
Related guide: Types of sewing pins: steel, pearl-head, safety and what suits a dress form
Frequently asked questions
What does 34×0.60 mean on a pin package?
The length and thickness in millimeters: the pin is 34 mm long and 0.60 mm thick. The length determines how many layers it catches, and the thickness determines the size of the hole in the fabric.
What is the difference between hardened steel pins and soft steel pins?
Hardened steel is springy, returns to its shape and keeps a sharp point, so it suits everyday sewing. Soft steel bends easily and suits craft work, decoration and pinning into cork or foam.
Who is the 500 g pack suitable for?
For sewing workshops, tailors, fashion schools and studios that work on a large scale. Such a quantity lets you replace bent pins without worrying about running out.
Do steel pins rust?
Steel pins that aren't stainless steel may rust in moisture. Keep them dry in a closed box, and don't leave them in wet fabric or in a garment that goes into the wash.
Can I iron with metal pins in the fabric?
Yes, you can iron close to them because they have no head that melts. Do not iron directly over the pin, so as not to leave a mark on the fabric.
Can I sew on the machine over pins?
Not advisable. The needle may hit the pin, break or bend. Pull out each pin just before the fabric reaches the needle.
Which pin suits a delicate fabric like silk?
A fine pin, 0.60 mm thick or less, with a sharp point. Insert within the seam allowance, so the hole will not be visible on the visible side.
Which pins suit work on a dress form?
Long, thin pins, such as 34 mm, which pass through the fabric and get caught in the form's cover. In a dress form that is meant for pinning, they hold the fabric in place during fitting.
What is nickel plating on pins?
A thin layer of nickel on the surface of the steel. It gives the pin a silvery, smooth look, and helps protect it from rust.
Can I buy sewing pins wholesale?
Yes. 500 g packs and boxes are available in quantities for sewing workshops and businesses. To order: phone 03-9444226 or WhatsApp 055-2473993.