My parents-in-law own an industrial textiles company, and have many pairs. But, lucky me, they have gifted me with these vintage pinking shears - apparently they were Michael's Grandma's or Great-Grandma's.
How cool are they? But - I don't really know much about using pinking shears. So - I appeal to you, fair seamstresses. Any tips, lessons learnt, don'ts etc? Can you really use pinking shears to finish the garment instead of a zigzag stitch? Please tell me everything you know! This may revolutionalise my sewing!!
British Zone existed from the end of WWII to 1949 (see here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allied-occupied_Germany) so that dates your wonderful pinking shears to within 4 years!
ReplyDeleteI've come here from Sew Retro where I saw your post, what a lovely lovely gift! And loving the Red Rooibos dress below this post, (partial bias being a rooibos tea junkie) especially the collar detail. Looks great on you. Regards, M x
ReplyDeleteWonderful! Alas I can't help with any tips - haven't quite decided whether to buy any yet - but I'd be interested to find out...
ReplyDeleteI would also like to know if pinking shears work for finishing edges - somehow I'm rather dubious...
ReplyDeleteBefore serging (overlocking) was invented or came into mass use (sometime in the 50s), pinking was "a quick and satisfactory finish for plain seams in all firmly woven fabrics which will not be laundered frequently." They work, but if you really love a dress, find a serger and use that. Also, if those shears were used much, you might find they don't cut anymore...I have my mothers from the 60s, and the front 1 1/2" don't cut...which makes them useless for fabrics. Good for paper though. I bought a new pair from Gingher.
ReplyDeleteYou. are. so. lucky! I love vintage sewing accessories and tools.
ReplyDeleteMy mum had a pair of pinking shears like that and I used to love playing with them so much. Pretty box!!
ReplyDeleteRe your question on my blog: I get all my wool fabric from here:
http://stores.shop.ebay.com.au/BRITISH-FABRICS__W0QQ_armrsZ1
Although you'll regret asking me this, as you'll want absolutely everything and it will send you to the poor house.
They are so cool! Love the box too. I use pinking shears a lot, particularly if I'm cutting fabrics that tend to fray a lot. I don't have a serger, so I use the pinking shears to finish the seams and then use a zig zag stich to overlock/finish the edges just for extra safety, but it really works fine perfectly otherwise, especially with durable fabrics that dont fray easily. You can identify proper vintage clothing if the seams used p-shears, I recently picked up a handmade 50s dress with pinkered seams!
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