I haven't read the whole forum on this subject so maybe i"m just repeating what has already been suggested. After all these years I've found something I like better than a seam ripper. On the package it is called a Snap Off Blade Cutter -- I'd always used them for trimming wall paper. But now always have one hand to rip seams open. If the blade gets dull, just break off the last segment of the blade and you have a new, sharp blade to work with - and you can retract the blade when not using it.

Derla

I couldn't sew without one.

They are good but the blade is exposed and so easy to cut the fabric. I think can all agree there really isn't any 100% safe method!

You can use the pet hair sweeper from pledge! It picks up all the short threads and you can use it on your ironing board to get those too

The amount of "danger" all depends on what you're used to and the care you take in using the tools at hand. Sewing, in all it's many forms, is chock full of sharp instruments; it's only logical to use them for 'alternative' purposes. Ripping seams with a blade of any kind makes perfect sense and when I don't care about stretching the fabric, I simply use one blade of my 5" scissors.

I have some 5" Ginger's and you are right, if they have just been sharpened they will do a good job especially taking out a hem. Sharp is sharp, there is danger everywhere!! lol

Seam ripping is like driving, the more you drive the better you get so the more you rip the better you get. Believe me I can rip a seam.

I usually break mine.

You should open a "Ripping Service"!!! :*)

My mom used to use a single edged razor blade, pulling the fabric taught to expose the stitches as much as possible and just tapping them. She could do that very fast. It would not be a good idea to try it on small stitches or on any quilting stitches where you can't pull the layers apart. My mom was not a quilter, but an excellent dressmaker. You don't want to do it that way if there is anyone around who might startle you. I cut myself just a little one time and went back to old fashioned seam rippers. In one of Eleanor Burns' videos someone is shown cutting stitches with a rotary cutter. I don't remember if it was EB herself or a student in one of her classes. Seeing that gave me the heebyjeebies! Even if you manage not to amputate a finger, the odds seem rather high that you could destroy your fabric.