Pinking Scissors
Pinking scissors, or pinking shears as they are commonly referred to, have sawtoothed blades instead of the traditional straight edged blades that normal scissors have.
Instead of leaving a straight edged cut, pinking scissors cut in a zigzag pattern. The zigzag cut of pinking scissors is used to limit the unravelling of threads along the edge of woven cloth.
If you don’t have a serger, or simply don’t have the time (or skill) to spend on carefully sewn seam finishes, using pinking scissors on the edges of your fabric will properly finish the seams.
Bulky fabrics, like fleece or denim, can benefit from the use of pinking scissors to reduce bulky fabric at the seams. And, pinking scissors can be used for a decorative effect, or when doing reverse applique to neatly trim an edge or accent a non-fraying item.
Tip: Use your pinking scissors to cut out your pattern and save a step when it’s time to finish the seams!
There are several different types of pinking scissors, including soft grip pinking scissors, left handed pinking scissors, and ambidextrious ones, as well. Pinking scissors also come with different shaped blades, including:
- Sawtooth edge
- Scallop edge
- Other decorative patterns
The term pinking scissors can also refer to describe decorative scissors used to cut paper. For the purposes of our website, however, we’re generally referring to those pinking scissors used in sewing.
Tip: Some pinking scissors are also designed to cut paper. But, if you’re using your pinking scissors to sew, don’t use them to cut paper, as it dulls the blade very quickly!