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

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.

From BBC

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

“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

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

From New York Times

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