How to Use Safety Pins and Berry Pins on Baby Halloween Costumes
By Partyrama | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to safely attach and adjust baby Halloween costumes with safety pins and berry pins, plus the checkpoints that prevent pokes and loose fastenings.
Quick answer
Use safety pins for temporary, hidden fastenings on baby Halloween costumes and berry pins for holding fabric layers while you sew or adjust. Pin from the inside, keep every pin away from the baby's skin, and check each fastening with a gentle tug before dressing your baby.
Why pin choice matters on baby costumes
Baby costumes often need quick fixes: a strap that slips, a hat that will not stay put, or a hem that drags. Pins are the fastest answer, but the wrong pin or placement can scratch, loosen, or become a choking hazard. Safety pins lock closed and suit temporary wear; berry pins have a round head that is easier to grip and are better for holding fabric flat while you work. Neither replaces supervision, and neither should be left within a baby's reach.
When to pin and when to sew
Pin only parts that sit away from the face, neck, and hands, and only for short wear such as a party or photo session. If a costume needs a permanent adjustment, sew it instead. A pin that keeps reopening or sits against a car seat harness is a sign to change the fastening, not to add more pins.
Step-by-step: safe pinning for baby fancy dress
- Lay the costume flat and plan the fastening: Put the costume on a table, inside out. Decide exactly where the pin will go and what it will hold. Common mistake: pinning while the baby is wearing the costume, which makes it hard to see the pin point and easy to catch skin. If you cannot see both sides of the fabric, stop and take the costume off.
- Pin from the inside outward: Push the pin through the inner layer first so the sharp point travels away from where the baby's skin will be. Close the clasp fully until you hear or feel it click. Checkpoint: run your fingertip over the closed pin; it should feel smooth, with no exposed point.
- Keep pins clear of high-movement and high-risk zones: Avoid the neck, hood, wrists, and any area that presses against a car seat or stroller harness. Place pins on flat seams or doubled fabric. Common mistake: pinning a loose strap at the shoulder where a baby can reach and pull it. If a pin sits where a harness strap crosses, move it or replace it with a sewn fastening.
- Use berry pins only for fitting, not for wearing: When you need to hold a hem or layer while sewing, push a berry pin through both layers and close it. Remove every berry pin before the costume goes on the baby. Checkpoint: count the berry pins you used and count them back into the pack. A berry pin left in a costume is a choking risk; make the count part of your routine.
- Do a gentle tug test on every safety pin: After pinning, tug the fastened fabric lightly in two directions. The pin should stay closed and the fabric should not pull away. Common mistake: assuming a pin is secure because it clicked once. If a pin opens on a tug, discard it and use a fresh one.
- Dress the baby and recheck in daylight: Put the costume on, then look over every pin from the outside. Make sure no metal touches skin and no pin is reachable by small hands. Checkpoint: lift the baby's arms and legs gently to see whether any pin shifts. Remove the costume and reposition any pin that moves or becomes visible.
Product facts
- Safety Pins – Pack of 50: Pack of 50 safety pins, approximately 4.5 cm / 1.8 in, made from nickel-plated steel. The 4.5 cm size is easy to handle for adult fingers but large enough that you should keep the pack well out of a baby's reach.
Safety Pins – Pack of 50 - Berry Pins – Pack of 40: Pack of 40 berry pins designed for securing fabrics, garments, and materials while sewing, tailoring, or crafting. These are the pins to use when you are holding a costume layer in place to sew, rather than pinning a finished costume onto a baby.
Berry Pins – Pack of 40
