It always seems to happen just before you leave the house: a hem has come down, a seam is splitting or a hook has fallen off a skirt. There is no time to fetch a needle and thread, and the child is already standing at the door. This is exactly when a safety pin proves its worth as a temporary rescue.
Choose a pin that suits the fabric. A small one is best for thin cloth, while a larger one copes better with thick material. Try to use one that is clean and not rusty, because a rusty pin can leave a mark on the fabric. Keep a few in a small tin, in a coat pocket or in your bag so that you are never caught out.
Pinning a hem
For a hem that has come down, turn the fabric up to the right length and pin it from the inside, so that the head of the pin lies against the cloth and the point is hidden in the fold. Space the pins a little apart so that the hem lies flat, and check that nothing catches on the skin or the leg.
For a broken hook or button on a skirt or trousers, fold the waistband over and pin it firmly on the inside, making sure that the pin cannot open or dig in. Close the pin properly and test it by moving about. A quick fix must hold when your child is running, sitting and climbing, not just when standing still.
A pin can also stand in for a broken zip pull. Thread a small loop of thread or a fine ring through the hole in the slider so that little fingers can still grip it. This is only a temporary measure, but it can get you through the day.
Safety pins are a rescue, not a repair. Keep them out of the reach of very small children, and never leave a pin on clothes that are worn by a baby. As soon as you have a quiet evening, take the pin out and mend the problem properly with a few stitches.
Once you have mended it, put the pin back in its tin for the next emergency. A tiny tool like this can save many a morning, and it teaches children that most problems have a simple answer.
