Recently I have broken 2 seam rippers! Grr one was a cheepie but the other was a fons and potter Trying to dig out the tiny stitches on some Paqer piecing I am practicing. As I doing something wrong? Is there an easier way? Does this happen to you?

I have broke several. :oops:

I have never broke one but I sure do dull them quick!!! lol

ditto

I have broken then, dull them, and I swear, sometimes mine hides from me on purpose.

Carol Doak recommends just touching the stitch (between the fabrics) with a blade. I use an 18 or 28mm rotary cutter. If the blade is new and sharp, just a gentle touch will cut the stitch. Have also used my 45mm cutter---just be really careful and gentle! :lol:

Takes real talent to break a seam rippper.
Maybe your stitches are to small or to tight.
My rippers likes to hide.

Well- HMM Maybe I am just talented! Yes the stitches are small I found it just helps to get that darn paper off!LOL

Come to think of it I can't be too talented if I have to use the darn thing so much!

I have never broken one, but I sure can make them dull.
And I might add, I am an "expert" at using one LOL

I never use a seam ripper. That doesn't mean I don't rip seams though! I use a pair of snippers and just cut the stitch on one side of the seam every 5th to 8th stitch or so and then pull the bobbin thread and the whole seam comes out.

Broke the tip off of one I had for 37 years once. Just threw it away couple months ago. It was the one I used in high school sewing class.

Are you picking the stiches with the point only or taking the stitch into the curve of the ripper and pulling? May make a difference.

Since I was using tiny stitches it seemed to happen when I had my hand to close to the metal end and was trying to get it into the stitch. I just kind of snapped it off. Guess I was trying to hard.

Oh, yeah, I've broken 2!!! My stitches generally aren't as small as you probably use. I think it's poor workmanship. My first one lasted me 40 yrs and believe me, it had LOTS of work!!! The next 2 broke on me! Those were the ergo ones, with special handles, The one I have now is a lancet type. I rip the first few stitches then separate the seam (in your case, the paper and fabric) and but between the seam. That seems to help.

I have one I paid $1.00 for that is forever old but it is the newer more expensive ones I seem to break.

i just got one at Walmart, pink and white, nice size for my hand, comfortable to hold and nice and sharp. My blue ones are hiding on me.

If you ever use the Gingher seam ripper you'll never want to use the others. I'm a spoiled quilter for sure.

I have never broken one.

I've snapped the tip off the blade more than once.

And once I broke one of those long loop turners (I think they're by Dritz)... I merely dropped it on my kitchen floor and it snapped as though it were made of china. And no, it's not a tile floor!

Mine too! I even have several but usually have to hunt to find one.

I have never broken a seam ripper. Maybe it's the type you are using. (?) The best seam ripper I have ever used is one by Clover with a large, smooth white handle. The second best is the one that came with my Bernina sewing machine. (you can buy one withOUT the machine lol) Both of these have sharp points that are thin enough to get under the stitches.

If I am frog-stitching (unsewing) a short area, I slip the tip of the seam ripper under every third stitch. Then I can pull a long thread from the opposite side. If I am unsewing a large area, I do as ponyriver does and use my rotary blade. It goes much faster.

I have an easier way.... don't rip the seams, let them be the way they were created ( that's what they secretly want) ... of course I'm sloppy, I keep hearing that there's such a thing as a strait seam... I don't know if I believe in that creature. hee, hee

I never break one unless I am so disgusted I throw it across the room!

I think it would take someone very special to break a seamripper while pulling out threads.
I can't say that I ever have, but mine DO get dull quickly, if that's any consolation.

:lol:

I break 'em, dull 'em and lose 'em LOL

*smiles* After reading replies ... I think somewhere out there is a support group for seam rippers in hiding ... they are networking against everyone and planning to rebel!

Maybe a 12 step program????? Hello, my name is Dee, I break seam rippers....LOL

Really look in with the odd socks it has to be where they are!!

i have never broke one and until now i have never heard of it happening, i have replaced a couple of them beause they have gotten dull, see i learn something new everyday i come to this site !!!

I have the same one that I got when I was a freshman in High School. 1968.

Been there, done that. Cut myself one time when I broke it or rather stuck myself.

I've broken the cheap ones but not the better quality ones. They sure do dull quickly tho.

I've broken 2 of them in the last year!! I like to pickout my stitches.

I have not broken any yet!!! but I am sure I will when I start quilting more. Penny

Hehehe Penny. I think the key word is *unquilting* LOL

I have broken plenty in my time an havedulled a few use chain saw file to sharpen when curve gets dull.

I have broken a seam ripper. I use the ones from my Pfaff dealer. They are more expensive but they stay sharp longer and last longer than other ones I have used.

HMMMM.....sounds like a whole lotta rippin' goin' on...i would like to hear the STORIES behind all the frustration....[guess they don't make them like they used to 'cause i still have the same one i started with......]me thinks you are all working too hard at UNquilting.....there are easier ways you know..........

Its funny that this thread came up when it did, because I actually used my thread ripper the other day.

Its no secret I collect treadles and you find all sorts of neat things in the drawers. Usually I fine the old double edge razor blades by the gross :lol: but never a seam ripper.

When I screw up on some of my quilts I just sit there looking at it thinking can I get away with this? I hate having to rip threads!!

Billy