Blocking pins - Learn How To Make Hats Online | Hat Academy Millinery Courses

I have now tried the blocking…

2012-08-25T10:16:38.717Z

I have now tried the blocking pins from Torb & Reiner and drawing pins, drawing pins seem kinder on the sinnamay, at ths stage drawing pins seem easier to use.

I use the red Morse-Brown one…

2012-08-21T12:41:55.887Z

I use the red Morse-Brown ones and they're very good. They are prone to bending which really infuriates me but are easy to straighten with pliers. At college we were told they used to come with a yellow head and the pins were less likely to bend but they were very prone to snapping which is why they changed to bendy ones.

In terms of how many boxes to have I don't think you can ever have too many. 2 are fine for starting out with.

Slip not. I use a blocking co…

2012-08-16T05:03:03.426Z

Slip not. I use a blocking cord and a ridiculous number of pins --like wearing a belt and suspenders.

I prefer the 1 inch long ste…

2012-08-15T16:06:14.307Z

I prefer the 1 inch long steel dressmaker pins with the ball head. Any brand will do. They are stronger at a shorter length. I buy them in boxes of 100, about $2.69 each. They do sometimes bend, (cheap enough to discard) and you do need to pull them out with a plier, or the ball can pop off. I like them because they do a fine job, and the holes that they leave are very small.

One of the reasons I like the…

2012-08-15T10:24:52.875Z

One of the reasons I like the Prym brand is that they are relatively cheap and, in most cases, if you put them in straight - they're reusable. I use pliers to pull them out and mostly they come out straight. Back into the box! And, the tiny, tiny holes are good too!

I use the ones that Greer sug…

2012-08-15T08:50:53.710Z

I use the ones that Greer suggested. I have a pin pusher from Morse-Brown too. I find that if I just use the thimble method, the holes aren't too bad. With the pin pusher the holes are larger, but it comes in handy sometimes as I tend to get a dodgey wrist (had it since I was a kid).

Hi Bronwyn, I was not happy w…

2012-08-15T07:14:08.054Z

Hi Bronwyn,

I was not happy with the big steel pins, I got big holes in my new blocks. I just purchased the red ones as well as the pin pusher and have played with both, I really love the Red pins. and I think if you are blocking brim and crown three boxes would do the job. I also quite like using dressmaker pins and the pin pusher, It will take a bit to get use to, but it leaves small makes and secure fit to the block.

I generally use a few pins and then use a blocking cord. Basically a string with a special knot that slides down and tightens. I made my first one by researching knot via google (I wish I could remember the name of the knot) It works great.

Good luck

Hi Bronwyn! I use nickel-plat…

2012-08-15T02:01:07.613Z

Hi Bronwyn!

I use nickel-plate hardened steel pins by Prym which I get in Germany. I believe this is the article # Prym Art. 024263. I am sure google can find them for you; they are not available directly in USA; the ones they sell ARE NOT HARDENED and thus, useless. I use a thimble to push them in.

I prefer these because they leave only a tiny tiny hole.

Best, Monika

I love the red pins. I have t…

2012-08-11T14:08:46.171Z

I love the red pins. I have tried other pins and like these the best. I think I overdo it with pins, but five boxes is plenty (two would probably be enough).

Thank you Greer, I appreciate…

2012-08-10T02:42:41.227Z

Thank you Greer, I appreciate your help.