I don't cut the stitches between the layers of fabric. Why risk stretching the edges? I lift the stitches from one side with the point of a seam ripper until the thread starts to drag, usually a couple inches worth. Then I snip that thread with small scissors and start over again. The bottom thread comes off in one piece at the end and there are no small pieces of thread to clean up. I actually never use the cutting part of the seam ripper at all. Works for me!