After sewing a seam on your fabric, a pair of pinking shears can create a decorative hem.Woven materials or smooth fabrics will respond well to pinking shears.While you cut, cut carefully, and sharpen your shears.The zig-zag design can be an appealing decoration, but don't use pinking shears on fabric.
Step 1: Before you cut, sew the fabric's seam.
After the seam has been sewn, fabrics can only be pinked.You can use one of several methods to seam the fabric.You can use a sewing machine.
Step 2: Start at the edge of the seam.
Don't remove all of the fabric.As far from the seam as possible will protect your fabric.You cannot put fabric back on after you've cut it, even if you want to.
Step 3: The seam should be cut in a straight line.
When cut in a straight line, pinked hems look neat.Measure your cut with a ruler if you have trouble keeping your scissors steady.To avoid wavering lines, make your way through the fabric's edge.Because they are harder to bend, metal rulers are ideal for cutting in a straight line.You don't have to rush.You can pink your fabric at your own pace.
Step 4: First, practice on a swatch.
If you are using pinking shears for the first time, you should buy extra fabric to experiment with.Try to cut in straight lines and at different speeds.
Step 5: Pinking shears are only used on fabrics.
Pinking shears can be used on fabric, leather, paper, and other materials.Anything but fabric will dull your shears.Primarily cut fabric to avoid having to sharpen your shears often.
Step 6: Pinking shears can be used to pick fabrics with solid colors.
You can use pinking shears on patterned fabrics, but they won't turn out as nicely.Solid shades or very simple patterns are what to look for.The finished piece will look better.Pinking shears make striped fabric look poor.
Step 7: Pinking shears are good for smooth fabrics.
When cut by pinking shears, Crisp fabrics look clean.The shears don't have to cut through a lot of layers because the ridge left over by the shears is less thick.It is harder to cut bulky fabrics in a straight line.
Step 8: Pinking shears are used to cut woven fabrics.
Woven fabrics are made by weaving threads over and under each other.The best fabrics for pinking are tightly woven.If you want the cleanest cut, non-stretchy woven fabrics work well.Woven fabrics include: denim, flannel, taffeta, crepe, kashmir silk, and chintz.
Step 9: Sharpen.
The pinking shears will make cuts.If your shears are dull, use a sharpening wheel.You should sharpen your scissors every four to six months.The method of sharpening pinking shears using aluminum foil is not effective on jagged edges.
Step 10: Use your shears to cut the wax paper.
The pinking shears have some lubrication.Try cutting a few rows of wax paper if your shears are still sharp.The wax on the shears will make them less prone to sticking.
Step 11: You should oil your shears.
You can clean your scissors with oil when cutting wax paper.Put a few drops on the pivot of your scissors.After closing your scissors several times, wipe the residual oil off with a dry cloth.
Step 12: It's a good idea to keep an eye out for rust.
Even after cutting, the pinking shears can cause your fabric to break.If you see rust, rub it off with steel wool and dish soap.If your shears suffer from heavy rusting, you should dip your scissors in vinegar and scrub it clean.If you can't get steel wool or vinegar to scrub your shears, use WD-40.Store your shears in dry places.