That tiny hole near the clasp of a safety pin may look like an unnecessary manufacturing detail, but it can make a surprisingly difficult sewing task much easier. The hole can be used as an anchor for elastic, ribbon, yarn, or a drawstring. By securing the material through the opening before inserting the pin into a fabric casing, you gain much better control while threading it through waistbands, hoodies, and other narrow fabric tunnels.

The attached cord also gives you something to hold onto if the pin becomes difficult to maneuver. Instead of worrying about losing the pin inside the fabric, you can pull it backward using the attached string or guide it through tight spaces more easily. This simple trick is just one of several old-fashioned sewing techniques that can still be incredibly useful today.