lyndaloo

Me Five! I also have little hands and fibro.

Nanamoms

Sounds like the "red one" is a winner...err...or should I say "brown one"!!

MsEithne

I use a #12 disposable scalpel. The blade is thinner than a razor blade and it is mounted on a lightweight plastic handle. The blade is crescent shaped with the inner curve sharp and the tip is thin and pointed enough to slide under a stitch in a seam that was sewn at 20+ stitches to the inch. They come with a little plastic cap that fits over the blade. Among the intended uses is suture removal.

They stay sharp for a lot of ripping. As soon as I feel any effort at all in cutting thread, I put it in my sharps container and open a new one (they come in boxes o9f 10 or 25). They are usually around $0.40 to $0.50 apiece.

You MUST be careful about how you rip with them because they are really sharp. They're scalpels! Like you, I have fibro so for me it's worth it to pay a little closer attention than it is to have to use more muscle power with less attention.

MsEithne

I forgot to add how I use the scalpel to rip.

I hold the seam closed and only cut the thread on one side. I slide the tip of the scalpel under every third or fourth stitch and then just turn the scalpel upwards slightly. The edge is so sharp, that's all the effort it takes to slice through the stitch.

Then I turn the seam over, take hold of the uncut thread and pull gently. If I've done it right, the uncut thread just slides right out without pulling or wrinkling the fabric. I use masking tape sticky side out over my finger to grab the cut threads on the other side. If it doesn't slide out with a gentle pull, then I go back to the original side and cut a lot more stitches.

This causes the least amount of fabric damage possible. Even fine silks can be ripped this way leaving only the needle holes (which can often be steamed out). On cotton, once what used to be the seam allowance has been pressed flat again, there's usually no sign at all that it had ever been stitched.

OHSue

I second this one.

purplefiend

I like that one and also the Clover seam ripper with the round white handle. I have some of each, at least 1 with every treadle.

Nanamoms

Hmmm, maybe #2 son can get me several of these to try...he's a doc!! He brought me several of the instruments with all the different shaped tips. I love them!!

QuiltswithConvicts

I, too, love my Clover with it's brown handle. I've had it for at least 15 years. Need to get a new one! They do get dull over time & use. :-(

misscarol

I love the Fons & Porter seam ripper. The lid doesn't stay on, but I can live with that.

quiltbuddy

I really love this one also.