cmw0829

I really like the flat flower head pins and have some that I bought 10 or 12 years ago and which I've been using forthe past year. I recently bought some new pins as I didn't have enough.

These are the pins I bought - by Fons and Porter - at Joanns:
http://www.shopfonsandporter.com/pro...ns-and-needles

Oh my goodness. The old ones go into fabric like butter whereas the Fons and Porter pins need to be pushed and shoved through.

Is there a difference in pins that causes this? They are the same length and appear to have the same sized shaft.

Also, do you think Joann's will take them back? The package isn't opened as neatly as it might have been if I'd thought there might be a problem. They're no pleasure to use.

Thanks.

Favorite Fabrics

Could you take a look at the points of the two kinds of pins - maybe hold them up against a bright light - and see if perhaps there is a difference in the shape of the tips? Perhaps one is sharper or more angled than the other.

deemail

i don't know what shape/size is right, but i definitely know i have pins i grab first just because i know they are better...

BellaBoo

I do think the yellow head flower pins are sharper but they bend easier.

Grambi

I had the same issue with a package of the basting safety pin--it was a big pain in the rear to push them through the quilt sandwich. They must have a quality control issue. Hope they deal with it soon. I have some flower head pins that work very well and I'm pretty sure that they were made by Clover. I would insist on a refund for a defective product and if you have trouble with Joann's then you might send an email to Fons and Porter.

Painiacs

Hope u get it resolved! Seems like a lot of the new pins aren't as sharp as the older ones. Not as strong either!

Annaquilts

I would bring them back and complain as it is a quality issue.

Mary O

That is frustrating when pins don't go in smoothly so thats's why I only use the silk pins.Try them.

ckcowl

different suppliers have different 'quality control' requirements- it's Joannes--not F&P's
even though it's their brand- if you bought the same pins from their store they would be different (better) than the ones you will find in 'big-box' stores- it's that way with everything that is manufactured-and sold in numerous markets.
example- (i used to work for a lighting company) we would have an order for a certain light globe for Macy's- the quality spec said we could have (1-bubble) per 6"space for it to pass-
the same light globe order for walmart the spec was (6-bubbles) per 1"!!! so if the run was not going well and we were getting lots of bubbles- those parts could be set aside to fill the walmart order- but they did not 'measure up' for the Macy's order- its that way with most manufactured items--that's why you find the same things at so many different prices-it may say it's the same item- but it is not- the item may be made with the same mold- or what ever- but each distributer has their own set of (quality measures they accept)

oldpickles

I think Fons and Porter does have issues. If you e mail them you will not get a reply ! If you phone them they do not answer, I waited for an hour about my subscription not being correct, e mailed and no reply. Hope they do get their act together soon. I would not like to order anything big from them, if it is mixed up in some way I don't think I could ever get it corrected.
oldpickles