Thread: Seam Rippers

Originally Posted by Scissor Queen

I use these, http://www.amazon.com/Havels-Snip-Ez...6674278&sr=8-3 I never have to worry about them getting dull and slipping and ripping a hole in my work. The point is tiny and will snip the tiniest of stitches.

I love these also

I use the Clover pictured in Jan's post. It's the most comfortable fit I've found. I hate the rippers that come with sewing machines - the one with the cap. If you don't put the cap on the other end of the handle, the handle is too short to hold, and if you do put the cap on the handle it will eventually pop off in your hand while you're ripping. What a pain. The Clover is a good length and width and the business end is sharp and pointy enough to get stubborn small 60wt threads out. As much as you can "enjoy" a seam ripper - I like this one.

If I have to rip an extra long seam though - like a long border (I shudder to think about it again), I'll use a razor blade. (When I learned to sew as a kid my seam ripper WAS a razor blade). You hold the fabric in your left hand (if you are right handed) with one piece in between my first and second finger (each finger on either side), and the other piece of fabric held in between my thumb on one side pressed against my ring and little finger. I can then hold the two pieces of fabric separated and "pull" them apart while I slice through the stitches with my razor blade and "walk" my fingers down the fabric. I've even known people to hold one piece of fabric with their toes and the other with their left hand and razor blade down the fabric with their right hand.

Originally Posted by DogHouseMom

I use the Clover pictured in Jan's post. It's the most comfortable fit I've found. I hate the rippers that come with sewing machines - the one with the cap. If you don't put the cap on the other end of the handle, the handle is too short to hold, and if you do put the cap on the handle it will eventually pop off in your hand while you're ripping. What a PITA. The Clover is a good length and width and the business end is sharp and pointy enough to get stubborn small 60wt threads out. As much as you can "enjoy" a seam ripper - I like this one.

If I have to rip an extra long seam though - like a long border (I shudder to think about it again), I'll use a razor blade. (When I learned to sew as a kid my seam ripper WAS a razor blade). You hold the fabric in your left hand (if you are right handed) with one piece in between my first and second finger (each finger on either side), and the other piece of fabric held in between my thumb on one side pressed against my ring and little finger. I can then hold the two pieces of fabric separated and "pull" them apart while I slice through the stitches with my razor blade and "walk" my fingers down the fabric. I've even known people to hold one piece of fabric with their toes and the other with their left hand and razor blade down the fabric with their right hand.

Me, too! Sometimes I use my rotary cutter as a razor blade.

I use my rotary cutter more then a seam ripper to rip out a seam. It's usually handy and I have never cut the fabric using it. It's like using the surgical blade ripper. I hold the seam apart spread through my fingers and thumb on one hand and slice the seam with the cutter in the other hand. The blade ripper, you use it like a zipper and unzip the seam.

Originally Posted by susie-susie-susie

I usually buy the cheap ones and I buy several at a time. I usually can't find one when I need it. I would rather have a fairly dull ripper so I don't cut my fabric.
Sue

I think a dull seam ripper is like a dull knife - you're more likely to press harder and cut your fabric, or yourself. I like the Clover rippers too. I bought the white round handled ones until JoAnn's quit carrying them at my local shop, and then I changed to the brown handled ones, which I found at Fabric Depot. I should buy them by the gross, since I'm always losing them, and goodness knows I need them often enough. I tried the Dritz brand and the points broke off almost immediately.

Originally Posted by dunster

I think a dull seam ripper is like a dull knife - you're more likely to press harder and cut your fabric, or yourself.

I agree 100% with this - and I HAVE shoved that seam ripper right through the fabric because it was dull and I was pushing too hard!

I'll use the seam ripper to cut 3-4 stitches, then I use my box knife blade for the rest of the seam.