Sewing clips vs pins: which one is best on fabric
Today we are talking about sewing clips vs pins. At one point or another, everyone gets poked by a pin while sewing, so is it worth buying some sewing clips for your next project?
What are sewing clips?
Sewing clips are spring-loaded plastic clips that can hold your fabric together. They come in various sizes and colors and, unlike pins, don’t leave holes in your fabric. You simply attach them to the edge of the fabric to hold the layers together.
As you can see, when it comes to not having holes left, there is vote for fabric clips vs fabric pins.
Just like pins, you have to remove them as you sew your project. You never want to sew over them. You actually can’t sew over them.
On a personal note, I find these great for thick layers or heavy fabric and always have a few in my sewing kit.
What fabrics, fabric clips work well with
There are certain fabrics that pins will damage or simply can’t be used with. Here are a few examples.
Pins will not go through vinyl fabric, so this is the perfect time to use your clips. Another fabric that is hard to use pins with is a delicate fabric like Tulle.
I have also used them with denim, which can be thick or while quilting. They are also great if you have small children who grab things. Pins can hurt them, while sewing clips do not.
Thus why fabric clips vs pins may win out on these projects.
Sewing Clips vs pins
Here’s a little comparison of each to help you decide which one to use. Remember, one is not better than another. It depends on your project and the material you are using and your own personal preference.
Why sewing clips are amazing
- Strong
- Holds most fabrics together
- Great for slippery lightweight materials that pins don’t work with
- Holds down patterns without poking holes in them
- No holes in your finished product
- Sturdy and durable
- Lightweight and easy to use
Fabric clips cons
- More expensive than pins
- Bulky when sewing
- Makes your fabric heavier
- Makes it harder to move your fabric while sewing
- May get caught on sewing machine or table
- Has to be removed before you get near them while sewing
- Can’t iron over them like you can with pins
- Break more easily than pins
So, you can see the pros and cons, but what about pins? Well, of course, there are pros and cons to pins. Let’s analyze sewing pins.
Fabric pins Pro’s
- Inexpensive and you can find them in many stores or online
- Great for layers of fabric
- Great for long stretches of sewing
- Easy to use
- Don’t break like clips can
- Last a very long time
- You can iron over them
- Don’t take up a ton of space in your sewing room
Fabric pins cons
- They hurt when they prick you
- Hard to find if you drop one on the floor
- They can’t be used with all fabric
- Can bend a needle if you sew over them
- How do you use sewing clips?
Just like a clothespin or binder clips, you open it up and make sure both layers of your fabric are together and clip down holding it in place. You can put them as close as you need.
Sewing clips are simple to use, and you won’t have any problems using them in your sewing. I do love using them with kids learning to sew. It helps them learn to keep their fabric together without worrying they will get poked.
Fabric clips vs pins (which brand is better)
So, there is so much variety out there in stores and on the internet. Clover, first invented Clover wonder clips, but now there are several companies and they are all good. We have put a few of our favorite choices below that you can order off Amazon with free shipping.
These have a 5-star rating and a ton of great reviews. They are also less than $10 on Amazon. Great option to get started, and you could use them as well for your craft projects. I believe these are the best sewing clips at a great price.
There are 500 straight pins in this package, which will last you for a really long time. They have great reviews and again less than $10. These are common pins for all of your sewing projects. Remember, they may leave small holes in your fabric.
On a side note, you may want to get a few different sizes. Small sizes are great for smaller projects or you can get a large size or longer pins if your fabric is thicker.
No matter which one you choose as part of your sewing supplies, there are so many options to help you sew easier. So tell us below what is the best choice for you in your sewing hobby.
Other useful blog posts:
9 best beginner sewing machines under $200
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