I rarely use a big pair of scissors in my quilting. I have several small size ones I use for fussy cutting or applique. I have several excellent pair of Ginghers solid metal that I thought I had to have when I first started quilting. I seldom use the heavy things. I'm curious to what a big size pair of scissors are used for in quilting.

I'm going to be working on a "true lover's knot" quilt. All the pieces need handcut because of the curves. I'll be using my big scissors for that.

I also use them at the ironing board to cut the frayed threads that are wrapped up around everything and hanging out all over the place when I prewash and dry my fabric. I also snip and rip one edge to get a straight edge. I actually prefer them over small ones, except when I'm doing applique.

I have a pair of Fiskars. Not big and heavy. Just perfect for me.

I overcast the ends of new fabric before washing it, ir almost eliminates all the fraying.

I know it's an extra step, but one really "saves" fabric, because none is lost due to fraying.

i only use my big scissor for making clothes or when i upholster the furniture.

I used to use large (7") Ginghers but like you, I find them too heavy for small jobs. I use them to cut batting, and large pieces of fabric down. For most jobs, I use a smaller size Gingher. It lays beautifully in my hand and cuts like butter. That one is used for chenille work as well as it has a small pointy nose.

I cought DH once yammering away at some nasty leather with my GOOD scissors. Let's just say he now knows to ask first. :D

That usually only happens once per household member, eh?

I use my embroidery Ginghers quite often when I'm piecing. Snipping apart chain pieced units, for example, or trimming the ending threads close. Clipping corners, curves. Almost never use my larger scissors. Mine are Fiskars, so very light. I've actually been looking at the larger Ginghers, but now you've brought up a good point - I probably wouldn't use them enough to make them worth it!

I bought a lot of nail scissors on e-bay. I LOVE some of them for snipping. I prefer them to my little Gingher embroidery scissors.

(of course, about half of them were not so good, but over-all, it was still a good deal)

I cut everything out with scissors. I have one large pair of shears and really only use them to cut sashings and the like. I have a couple of medium pairs and a variety of small pairs, for everything from cutting templates to sheers.

I also have the little Gingher scissors to snip threads. I rarely use my heavy Gingher scissors. I use the rotary cutter for clothing, too, and for curved pieces. I do use scissors for trimming away excess batting and backing after basting.

I have an ancient pair of Weiss pinking shears I like for applique, and my regular Fiskars by the machine to snip threads and trimming off "ears".

Like the rest of you, I have a large selection of them, love my Ginghers. I use them a lot because they are weighted just right. No one touches my scissors, if they want to keep breathing! LOL

I used to have a pair of Ginghers..... Until my kids got them, cut God knows what with them, when they were younger. Now I just have cheapy pairs. Small & large, & grab whichever is closest, for snipping threads.

I very seldom use my large scissors. I use my medium size ones for cutting fabric and batting and my little ones for snipping thread. The large ones are not comfortable for me to use.

Here is how you test your scissors. Fold up a piece of cotton fabric into 8 to 10 layers. Using the scissors tip, snip through all layers of fabric about 1 inch deep. The scissors should cut smooth and easy through all layers on the first cut. I have only two pair of scissors that will do this. They are small size Fanmore scissors. My Ginghers will not do this.

My sentiments exactly. To help family resist temptation, I bought enough 'el cheapos', to have a pair in every room in the house. We also have a calendar, scotch tape, and clocks, and phone, (except bathroom, lol,...but we do have portable phones, too)...with fibro. makes for less walking to get that tool, etc. or if you forget where you put the one, you were just using, LOL...me???? forget????....not m (hmmm, now, what was I saying?) :D :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Fiskars makes a very good scissors sharpener. Was reccommended to me, by a lady that cuts fabric for a living. She was right.

Wow--I hadn't heard about the Fiskars sharpener. How much does it cost and where do you get it??

I use a big pair of Fiskars for cutting batting. (Bought a spring-loaded pair that doesn't cut worth a dime for much of anything, and definitely not the batting.) Recently picked up a pair of Fiskars "Razor Edge" that I really love. Won't be using them for batting, just sort of odd jobs in the sewing room.

if they were expensive scissors, have them professionally sharpened.

This may sound strange but I have a pair of kitchen scissors that I use. They are nice and sharp and I keep them hid so no one else can use them. I use them when I'm cutting out applique pieces because they get the corners so well and will cut through several layers. I do have a pair of kitchen scissors that stay in the kitchen however. Then I've got paper only, scissors and then of course the thread ones and then all purpose. Everything else gets the rorty cutters. I started all this when the boys were still at home as they could ruin a good pair of material scissors for me right quick. So I learned to hid the good ones. :D :D
Connie

I used to be a dog groomer (and had probably 10+ pairs of expensive shears then), so yes- I use my scissors. I have about 6 pairs of scissors and 2 rotary cutters. I am just so used to scissors, and am pretty quick with them. Of course, I know the correct way to hold them, never drop them ( or try not to), and DARE anyone to touch them.

My hubby used mine to cut fiberglass insulation...only once. After I made him buy me a replacement pair, he never did it again! LOL

I have so many pairs of shears that I would have to pull all of them out to count. I even have my first "good" shears from 1958. They're Singers. My favorite scissors for quilting (threads and such) are my embroidery scissors. I have several of those all over the place. I try to leave one at the ironing board, but sometimes they seem to wander. My "best" pair is hidden away. I have several old Fiscars (sp?) for paper cutting. Actually, the Singers are now paper scissors.

I cut all pieces for quilting with the rotary cutter.

I have a pair of scissors that are big and drives me nuts. The screw keeps loosing and I have to tighten it up. I bought them a couple years ago at joanns. I want to find a new pair that doesn't have a screw if possible. I also want to buy a small pair.