Re the question about cutting fabric with the ripper --YES! I was given a new ripper for Christmas (the type with the rubber end to rub away loose threads) and started to rip out some wonky binding. I was amazed at how easy it was because the new ripper was so sharp, and the next minute I had sliced into the fabric as well. Obviously my old rippers had gradually blunted and I hadn't realised it - so be careful with a new tool.