Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Pins

When I started making minis, I mindlessly thought that 'pins were quite fine' - wrong!
(The same applies to sewing threads . . . )
The thickness of an ordinary sewing pin is usually about 0.55mm (or 0,55mm as it is written in Europe). This is not at all fine when you are talking about minis, as I soon found.

So the hunt began, and here are the results. In the photo above, from left to right:

1. Sequin pins. These are not particularly fine (they're about the same as sewing pins), but they are short and make excellent 'nails'.

2. Fine lace making pins - 0.45mm. These ones are short (17mm long) with flat heads. I bought these from Martin Burkhard in Switzerland - http://www.ateliermb.ch/

3. Patchwork pins 0.45mm. Clover brand, art #2507. These have glass heads so they won't melt if the iron touches them. Available from patchwork suppliers.

4. Insect pins size #000, approximately 0.275mm. These come in steel, or black enamel. I love these!! They are strong and flexible, and hold well in a bent position. Perfect for adding to fantasy orreries. I found mine on eBay.

5. Beading needles size #16 - approximately 0.25mm. These are very flexible, and almost impossible to thread without a magnifying glass! Would be good to cut short to resemble pins or needles in a mini sewing box. Available from some online beading suppliers.

Glenda
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8 comments:

  1. CatherineSeptember 22, 2010 at 7:55 PM

    Glenda,

    Thank you for showing us all the different types of pins. I had never seen a couple of those types before.

    I suppose what you use depends on what you want to use them for. Some maybe just to hold something temporarily.? Some for actually nailing something together.?

    I found some great solid brass pins in two different lengths 3/32" and 5/32" here...
    http://www.phoenixmodeldevelopments.com/acatalog/The_Phoenix_Miniature_Hinge_Range.html
    Trying to hang on to the little devils while you nail them in is a nightmare! You loose half the darn things as they fly across the room. They do make a special set of pliers that hold them so they won't escape while you get them set in. I am going to order them from http://www.smallerthanlife.com/

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  2. GlendaSeptember 22, 2010 at 9:01 PM

    Catherine - I drill first, then glue the little suckers in - they do love to misbehave! Thanks for the links :)

    Glenda

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  3. Karin CorbinSeptember 22, 2010 at 9:24 PM

    A good place to purchase insect pins is in a college or university bookstore. The students in the biology classes use them.

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  4. Sans!September 22, 2010 at 9:38 PM

    Glenda , thank goodness for this post. I am scratching my head wondering how to hang some of the things in my tribal house, especially the ones made by you ;p. Thank you too , Catherine, for the link. I shall have to look into that.

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  5. GlendaSeptember 22, 2010 at 11:03 PM

    Karin - thanks for the hint - I wouldn't have thought of it :)

    Sans - if you have trouble finding any of these, let me know - I can send a few :)

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  6. MarionSeptember 23, 2010 at 2:34 AM

    Glenda, you're a terriffic source of knowledge. And guess what? Some time ago I threw out all my uni stuff (insects), pins and all. How stupid can you get!!!! Thanks for sharing all your knowledge.
    Marion

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  7. UnknownSeptember 23, 2010 at 5:11 AM

    Muchas gracias por esta clase magistral de pins.
    No los conocía todos. Un consejo: tener un imán para cuando se pierden :)
    Besos Clara

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  8. GlendaSeptember 23, 2010 at 2:27 PM

    Thanks Clara! A magnet is a great idea topick them up :)

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