Appliqué scissors recommendations?
 

Does anyone have a pair of appliqué scissors to recommend (or not recommend)? Comments on the general subject also welcome!

It depends on the type of applique. I like small thin ones for cutting out fused applique like the second pair shown here (green 4 inch).

For machine EMB applique I like these. They get into tight corners. I hold the fabric almost straight up and trim close.
http://www.havelssewing.com/snip-eze...ors-33010.html

I don't like the duck bill ones for machine EMB as I don't get close enough.

I was thinking of the duckbill ones, but I'm willing to take advice and comments on any scissors anyone is using that would be good for cutting around tiny pieces. I used to have a small pair of scissors that I could use, but lately I've just been using my sewing scissors.

Kari are the best I have come across not terribly expensive and come in several sizes. My preference are straight blade four inch I think they are the smallest, better than my Ginger’s also handle fusible appliqué well too. They cut a very clean line. A curved blade is available too although not my personal preference. Good luck

I like the floriani duckbill and the karen kay buckley red curved scissors

I've got a pair of Gingher's duckbilled ones and a pair of extremely sharp straight 4" Olfa appliqué scissors-- I love both of them and both get used for collage and appliqué.
Rob

I am new to machine embroidery applique, but I have been doing a little research, and these are the scissors that I bought, based on recommendations that I found on YouTube. Both pair are about 6 1/2" long and they both have curved handles. The first are a pair of Gingher duck-billed scissors. They are supposed to be great for insuring that you don't cut your fabric underneath the appliqued piece. The other pair are supposed to be wonderful for getting into hard to reach places. I bought the second pair from Amazon. I don't remember what brand they were. I am not a good photographer, but I tried to show the curved tip on the second pair. Now these are for machine embroidery applique. When I cut out applique pieces by hand (without the use of an embroidery machine), I like to use a small pair of scissors (3 1/2") with a curved tip and also a small pair of scissors with large holes for my fingers. I have small hands, but I like to have plenty of room for my fingers when I cut small items.

Oops! For some reason my other photo didn't load.

I do a lot of machine embroidery applique, and just machine embroidery in general. I use squeezers, same thing as the Havels link shown above. I have straight blade and curved blade ones, different brands bought from different places. After using these just once I bought a pair to have at every machine in use in the house. If you have arthritis in your hands these are so much easier to use than scissors. For applique I use the curved blade, it allows me to get right up the threads without cutting through them.

Cari

I also vote for the Floriani duckbill scissors

I have the Gingher duckbill applique scissors. Gingher are more expensive, but I think they're worth it.

The Kai “Patchwork” scissors are the bomb. They have a serrated edge, which is great for grabbing the fabric as you’re cutting curves. The smoothest curves I’ve ever cut. Lost one pair and replaced them immediately. I really like the 4” for smaller pieces, and the 6” for larger applique. Kai 3120 4 3/4 Inch Serrated Blade Patchwork Scissor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0094429Z2..._a-WrBbTAXAQG9

Wow, I don't think I saw a single negative review for these, and they seem to have all kinds of uses besides appliqué.

Thanks. I think that's a typo of Kai? It's great to have a comparison of the two brands, very helpful!

Thanks, I haven't heard of the Floriani brand, I will have to check them out!

For cutting shapes for traditional applique, my choice is the finely serrated scissors by Karen Kay Buckley. I'm not a fan of curved scissors, but I have all 3 of her straight bladed ones and love them!

Thanks, Rob, my shears are Gingher and I love them beyond what is reasonable for a pair of scissors. I tried some others but I always go back to those. I didn't even think of Olfa, but now I am.

That Havel site has some like the curved ones and it seems to be a good brand. Your pictures are great, very clear, which is hard to do with close-ups. Thanks!

Thanks for the reply, I'm sold on the squeezers! I don't have arthritis currently, but I'm sure it's in my future if I live long enough so I might as well prepare for it now.

That's three votes for the Gingher duckbill. If I go with the duckbill I will probably get these, but I'm still undecided as to what exactly I need.

Thanks for all the replies. I messed up on a couple of my responses and didn't include the original post, but it's too late to go back and edit them, but I think you can figure out who I was replying to.

I am definitely getting those Havel snips and just have to decide if I need a second pair of one of the other types or if that will do me. I don't have a lot of tools, but then when I decide to buy some I tend to go overboard (yes, I need to buy six different paintbrushes and three different paint rollers to paint a single wall). At least the scissors will last me all my life so it's not like I'm throwing things out. I really do appreciate all the advice!

These sound great. It's all those little curves that are getting me.

Just for everyone's info, these are available from the manufacturer's site for the same price and free shipping. https://kaiscissors.com/kai-3120-4-1...work-scissors/
Just a personal preference of mine to go with the manufacturer if I can.

This is the brand that I use for traditional applique too--Karen Kay Buckley Perfect Scissors with serrated blades. They have blue handles. I think they are 6". One of the things that I like about them is that the handles have a lot of room for my fingers and thumb. They are very comfortable to use.

I use the Karen Buckley scissors and love them. They have serrated edges and they are comfortable to hold.

Karen Kay Buckley for me. Very sharp which is good. Very sharp which is bad. It really depends what you're intending to cut. LOL

Just a PS for the little squeezer snips...

Don't send them out to be sharpened. Mine were ruined. It might have been the serrated blades or the person doing them.

Kay Buckley small red scissors with a slight curve. Large fingers holes, serrated edges and reasonable price make it my favorite appliqué scissors.

IMO, the features to look for in applique scissors, or any sewing scissors for that matter, are A) a comfortable grip, and B) micro-serrated blades. The micro-serrations will grip the fabric and prevent them it from slipping while you cut.

So, having said that, I think your best bet is the Karen Kay Buckley scissors, or Kai. I have 7 pairs, all different sizes, of Kai scissors and they are awesome. Kai will sharpen them for free, also. You send the scissors to them along with $5 for return postage.

Years ago I picked up the funny-looking duck-billed scissors. The handles are metal, which hurt my hands after a few minutes, and I didn't like that larger blade, it was a blind spot for me.

I have to do a LOT Alf Applique-Esque trimming when doing in the hoop embroidery. I have the duck bill but find that double curved embroidery scissors work best for me. The fabric practically trims itself. I have several pairs but like the ginghers:

https://www.amazon.com/Gingher-Doubl...21192443&psc=1

I use Karen Kay Buckley scissors. I do hand applique.

Oh! I forgot about these! I bought a pair of these at the sewing expo earlier this year for trimming around vinyl key fobs I was making on the embroidery machine. They are so sharp! They handle cutting through two layers of marine vinyl at the tips of the scissors better than the squeezers do. I keep them hid from the grandkids with the threat of great bodily harm to the first one I catch using them.

Cari

Karen Kay scissors get my vote.

I love Karen Kay Buckley’s scissors for gripping template plastic with the sedated blades. Even the thicker template plastics cut smoothly.

For cutting the fabric, I love my Dovo scissors.

My Ginghers are stiff. Hate them