pinking shears

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.

pinking shears

plural noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pinking shears¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

In one of the stories, The Pinking Shears, the character is a spirited little girl called Jean Louie who gives a friend a haircut and faces the wrath of the child's father.

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

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“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.”

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

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

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