pinking shears

American  

noun

(usually used with a plural verb)

1. shears that have notched blades, for cutting and simultaneously pinking fabric or for finishing garments with a notched, nonfraying edge.

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pinking shears British  

plural noun

1. scissors with a serrated edge on one or both blades, producing a wavy edge to material cut, thus preventing fraying

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Etymology

Origin of pinking shears

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pinking shears

If you don’t sew, don’t worry, she says, “you can cut them with pinking shears or use no-sew iron-on tape.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 4, 2024

“Another girl lived to be about 16, and I made it. So you’re looking at the luckiest guy in the world. In 1951, they operated on people with pinking shears and screwdrivers.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2023

I embrace the Girl Scouts mom who carries pinking shears in her purse.

From New York Times ● Sep. 20, 2019

But before you start reaching for your pinking shears, there are some techniques and tools that can be used to aid his hang time.

From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2019

We also brought over a cast-iron frying pan, ten packets of baker’s yeast, pinking shears, the head of a hatchet, a fold-up army latrine spade, and all told a good deal more.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver