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How to pin a fibula

By popular request, I’m breaking down step by step how to fasten a clothing pin in this video.

I’m showing Tunisian fibulas called khlel here, but the basic principle is similar for all pins with a ring closure. These exist in various sizes, as you’ll see. Clothing pins are used throughout North Africa, and every tribe, region or even village has its own style. They are very much part of a collective identity, and not mere fashion accessories.

Note that these are often sturdy pins, designed to heep heavy fabrics together. I’m using a light fabric in the video, and the size of the pin leaves permanent holes in it.

That is by the way also informative: the size and weight of the pin are very telling about the type of fabric it was used on!