I haven't tried this, but others have--a mustache trimmer, as a seam ripper. They say it makes quick work of the dreaded process. But even if you take the stitches out by hand, do it during mindless TV time, and only until you're tired. Then put it aside.
I've looked very critically at my work right at the end and I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to pitch the darn thing. Seems all my mistakes are in glaring neon. But after I've put it aside for a few weeks, I'm pleasantly surprised that it looks good. If I find I need to fix something, at least I'm not grumbling about it--just tweaking.