Welcome to the Quilting Board!
I need your opinions on scissors. I use a rotary cutter most of the time but there are other times when scissors are needed. I bought a pair at JoAnn's when I first started collecting the supplies I needed but they are not very sharp and don't seem to do what I want to do when I use them. I'm thinking of buying a better pair but which ones? Do any of you have a favorite?
There are many many choices!! You can spend upwards of a few hundred dollars on various types of scissors, or you can spend $20 for a pair that may do the job.
Bring some scrap fabric to the store with you to cut up!!!
First .. make sure they are comfortable to your hand and well balanced. Some folks prefer a light weight scissor, some prefer a heavier scissor ... try them both and see what you are most comfortable with.
Next ... how do they cut? Was it comfortable, easy, is it a nice clean edge? Suggest when you do test cuts you bring the fabric to a table just like you would cut at home - don't try to hold the fabric in the air and cut while still standing in front of the scissor display. It's not a good test of hwo you'll be using the product.
Last ... is the price right for you??
Finally ... once you have a pair of fabic scissors DO NOT use them for anything else!!! NO PAPER!! Don't even think about snipping just that one little price tag plastic thingey!! Don't cut hair with them either. Fabric only. If you use them properly, keep them dry, oil them (sewing machine oil is great) once every now and then, and keep them clean ... you may not have to sharpen them too often and they should last you a very long time.
Oh. Two brands that are pretty well respected are Fiskars and Kai. Don't disregard others though, buy what your hand likes best. The most expensive scissors that feel like crap in your hand are not worth it.
May your stitches always be straight, your seams always lie flat, and your grain never be biased against you.
Sue
Love the Kai scissors. I purposely buy a specific brand of scissors for different cutting needs so that I don't get them mixed up. Kai for cutting out appliqué fabric pieces and Gingher for general fabric cutting. I have inexpensive off brands with different color handles that I use specifically for cutting batting and any paper or plastic template pieces. MOST importantly is to guard your scissors from family members...put them under lock and key if necessary! More scissors have seen their demise by being used for something other than what they were intended, i.e. box cutters, letter openers, etc.
Originally Posted by DogHouseMom
Creative clutter is better than idle neatness.
If you don't want to spend too much, Fiskars are usually decent . . . but it's a good idea to write "FABRIC ONLY!" on them.
Neesie
By all means let's be open-minded, but not so open-minded that our brains drop out.
~Richard Dawkins
I have finally learned that the most expensive product isn't always 'the best' - or not the best for what I want/need.
By the same reasoning, the least expensive product isn't always 'the worst.'
Also, if you are able to test the scissor before purchasing it, make sure that the scissor cuts well even to the tip. Some seem to 'catch' on the very end
Kind of hard to test, though, when the product is packaged in that hard plastic.
Excellent instructions from DogHouseMom. That being said, I like Ginghers lightweight scissors from JoAnn's. If you are right handed, then Gingher's dressmaker ones would be fine. I've had my lightweight black plastic handled ones for at least 20 years and they are still sharp. Until recently, I was a dedicated apparel sewer, so they have had heavy use.
Fiskars just don't hold an edge for me. I save those for fleece - do not cut fleece with your good scissors.
I did not know this. Thanks for the tip.
All my sewing room scissors are old Ginghers, with the exception of a pair of ancient WISS pinking shears, and some Fiskars micro-tip titanium scissors. I keep one Fiskars next to my sewing machine, and one by my cutting table and ironing board to pull up and snip random threads. I really like their "spring-assist" design.
Last edited by MattieMae; 09-24-2012 at 10:39 AM.
Ditto to Gingher!
I have been using my Gingher dressmaker sheers since the 60's. I use less expensive scissors for applique as I use Stem A Seam fusible.
I do like my pink Mondial scissors, too.
The fleece: When I worked at JoAnn's we found that the tight knit of the polyester all but ate the edge off the Fiskars which was corporate's preferred brand for us to use. I marked several pair with a ribbon with fleece printed on it on instructed my staff to use only those for fleece and related fabrics. That took care of the problem with scissors too dull to cut the quilting fabrics. When my Fiskars at home were missing recently, I bought dollar store scissors rather than touch my Ginghers or Mondials to fleece.
The other reason I don't care for Fiskars is the thick blade makes exact cutting more difficult, but that may be an apparel thing.
Replace them: Definitely! My husband and young son used my dressmaker Ginghers in the tackle box while I was at the Mayo Clinic. Have you ever seen a pair of metal scissors soaked in brine?My husband looked like this guy when he found out the replacement price.
If I was allowed only one pair of scissors it would be my Gingher's. If you take care of them, they will last more than your lifetime. Taking care of them means never EVER cut anything but fabric with them. My family knew to never touch mine. You can buy cheaper ones but you could be replacing them. If you are tempted, I suggest watch for a good JoAnn's coupon. Then threaten everyone within an inch of thier lives if they touch them.
Colleen
It is what it is !
But it will become what you make it.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
