Heavy-duty shears featuring interlocking zigzag blades instead of straight cutting edges. They cut a continuous sawtooth pattern into the raw edge of woven fabrics. This irregular edge limits the length of fraying threads, preventing the weave from unraveling past the cut line before the seam is finished.
Heard on the job
Don't use my good fabric scissors on paper, and grab the pinking shears for that calico seam allowance.
Insider tip
Pinking shears are only effective on crisp, tightly woven fabrics; they will chew up knits and sheer synthetics.