Opposite 180 degrees or opposite 90 degrees? I pin perpendicular to the seam, the way they show, and then I almost always proceed to stitch right over the pins, which is a huge no-no! :) My pins face the opposite direction from theirs because I'm left handed. I've had a couple of tense times trying to get a mangled pin out of the sewing machine, and since I've had a serger, there have been a few cases of serging the end off a pin.

Donna

Width a standard machine I pin with the head of the pin to the outside and pull the pins out as I sew.

With a serger I pin parallel to the seam line. A Serger expert showed me that.

I like their method better for the standard machine.

I pin as the photo shows but with the pinhead to the left. I'm ambidextrous (sp?). I just don't EVER run pins over with my machine. I did with my old Viking but sure don't want to ruin anything on my new machine. When serging I make sure to pin parallel to the raw edge of the garment and very far away from the knife blade. Absolutely don't want to serge over a pin.

I'm left-handed and pin just like the picture shows, except my pin tip ends closer to the cut edge of the fabric. And I never pin that close together.

(Bowing my head in shame) Sometimes I sew right over the pins.

I pin with the head on the outside so I can remove the pins as I sew. I guess it all depends on what's most comfortable for you. And I, too, sew over the pins. Boo!