Of all the quilting tools, pins are the most humble. Small yet mighty, quilting pins are an essential bit of kit which will make your quilt-making experience much more enjoyable.
There are so many types of quilting pins on the market that it can be a little tricky to know where to start! In order to help your search, we’ve gathered the best quilting pins from around the web.
This mini guide covers everything from curved safety pins for quilting to fork pins. For a more detailed look into quilting, head over to our quilting for beginners guide but put a pin in that for now… it’s time to learn all about quilting pin types!
What’s the difference between quilting pins and regular pins?
Quilting pins are stronger and longer than regular pins. Many brands sell specific pins for quilting and we’d recommend choosing these over standard pins.
Quilting projects often require you to stitch through multiple fabrics (you can learn more about wadding and batting in our guide), so your pins need to be stronger in order to pierce and hold the layers in place.
Regular pins tend to be daintier, which is perfect for dressmaking as you tend to work with much thinner, delicate material.
There’s a few different types of pins for quilting and they all have different functions. We’ll cover the best curved pins, best basting pins and the best fork pins later on.
First, let’s cover the best all -round quilting pins.
The best all-round pins for quilting
1. Dritz glass head yellow quilting pins
These glass Dritz quilting pins are a brilliant all-rounder for projects of all sizes. Most general quilting pins measure 1¾ in length, as these Dritz ones do, and this is the perfect length for the majority of quilting projects.
Made from stainless steel with bright yellow heads, these pins stand out and stay strong! The steel will withstand your sewing machine and the bold pinhead colour will help you spot and differentiate between your quilt layers.
Even though these pins are designed for quilting, they can be used for a range of craft projects making them super versatile.
2. Taylors Magic quilting pins
Taylor’s sells an impressive range of quilting pins and all the sets feature their special comfort grip handles. The ribbed handle allows you to grip, pick up and place your pins easily, removing the slipperiness you often find with standard pins.
We also love these pins because they’re heat-resistant, so if you forget to remove them while using your quilting iron you don’t need to worry!
This set is 1¾ in length, but make sure you check out their full range if you need a different size. They sell quilting pins specifically for appliqué and patchwork, but these pins are their best all-rounders.
3. The Gypsy Quilter ABC 123 quilting pins
These quilting pins are perfect for beginners or those who struggle to piece their quilts together.
As well as being made from strong metal and being heat resistant, they feature numbers and letterheads in this vibrant purple.
You can pair the numbers and letters with different parts of your block or quilt. This makes it easier to understand what parts of your project need to be stitched together!
There’s 104 quilting pins in the box so plenty for you to play around with and find a system that works for you.
The best curved safety pins for quilting
Why use curved pins for quilting?
Curved pins are a brilliant quilting tool. The curve allows you to pierce three layers (your quilt top, batting and back) together and ensure your sewing machine stitches them together smoothly.
This concept of stitching the three layers together is called basting. We show you how to do basting and how to make a quilt sandwich here on Gathered.
We’d recommend using curved quilting pins for these methods. Curved quilting pins really do make the best basting pins! Here’s some of our favourites…
1. Dritz curved quilting pins
Dritz is our go-to brand for quilting pins, especially for basting pins. This pack of 300 curved quilting pins has the perfect right angle for penetrating your quilt layers.
Made from nickel-plated steel and measuring 11/16, you’ll be able to make a range of quilting patterns with these pins.
2. Clover Wonder basting pins
These inventive basting pins from Clover are specifically designed for those who struggle to grip curved pins.
Standard basting pins are often tiny and get lost among your layers. These Wonder pins combat this issue and have quickly become a quilting essential!
The plastic covers help you to smoothly insert them into your fabric and make them easy to spot. There’s 20 in the pack and are great for quilters with dexterity issues.
3. Qjaiune large curved quilting pins
Standard curved quilting pins measure around 1½ inches. This will be big enough for most projects but if you’re working with especially thick materials these Qjaiune pins are the ones for you.
Measuring a whopping four inches each, these curved quilting pins will pierce the thickest of fabrics.
Projects such as weighted blankets or large Christmas quilts (where they require thick batting) will be easier to piece together if these four inch pins are used.
The best fork pins for quilting
Fork quilting pins are another great pin to have in your quilting kit. Designed for piecing blocks together, fork pins have dual prongs and a curved top attaching them together.
When placed on either side of a seam, it locks the fabric in place in a tight grip. This is super handy when it comes to stitching blocks together and will keep your quilt design neat and tidy while you stitch.
1. SAVITA fork quilting pins
This pack of fork quilting pins are wonderful all-rounders and are affordable too! There’s 100 pins in the pack and they measure 0.9in long, the ideal length for most quilting projects.
They’re made from sturdy stainless steel and can be used in quilting, sewing and dressmaking projects.
2. SAVITA extra long fork pins
If you’re prone to losing your quilting pins, or you find the average pins quite fiddly, then try SAVITA’s extra long quilting pins.
Measuring at 1.78in they’re over double the length and much easier to spot while stitching. They have all the same properties as their smaller counterparts, they’re simply bigger!
Find the best sewing machine for you
You’ve got your quilting pins, now you need a sewing machine! Head over to our complete guide to sewing machines to find yourself a dream machine.
3. Taylor Seville Magic Fork Pins
We’re big fans of Taylor Seville’s quilting pins and love these fork ones! Their bold purple colour and comfort grip handle make them wonderful for those who struggle with their eyesight and grip.
They’re also just great fork pins too. Strong, heat-resistant and easy to slide into multiple fabric types.
Put those pins into practice!
Quilting pins are an essential quitting tool that you can use in a myriad of ways. They’re versatile, easy to use, and a must for quilters of all skill levels.
Pick up a selection of quilting pins (standard, curved and forked) and watch your quilting projects come to life as you use them.
Discover inspiring quilting patterns with Gathered
Start using your new quilting pins with our collection of free quilting patterns. There’s everything from easy quilt blocks to vintage quilt projects for you to enjoy.
