When you can't find the ripper, the scissors are hiding....hey, there is usually a willing steak knife, lol. I admit to resorting to that once or twice.

My mother was an excellent seamstress, but she still had items that needed ripping. I am an excellent ripper, and don't take criticism of my technique well....so sewing police of all kinds, take note, lol....I am armed.

yes- don't cut yourself or the fabric- best apprach go to the sie of the fabric you can see the stitches best and use the seam ripper to cut evry 4th one or so- when you're near the end you will find the thread from the other side is till entact and can easily be pulled out- less stress on you and the fabric- I use a large lit magifying lamp for smaller stitches- by the way- if you get a new machine with a seam ripper as an accesory it is referred to as a button hole opener- apparently the term seam ripper was either too violent or meant you weren't perfect

Personaly I think your friend needs to feel special. Using a seam ripper is like using any sharp tool, carefully, and any which way it works for the person.

Wow!! Great way to remove stitches!!

I do it this way as well. I used to try the slicing thru the stiches but always managed to cut the fabric. Now that I am ol..oops, I mean more mature. I have more patience.

I got a pair of the squeeze sissors with the slightly curved blades from Nancy's Notions. They are for machine embroidery but found by accident they are great for seam ripping. It works best to lay your piece flat on a hard surface like sewing cabinet or table. Hold the sissors in your hand side ways and slip one of the fine points under a stitch and squeeze and snip do every three stitch unless I have put the stitch count way up for the beginning or ending of a seam. When you have snipped the top stitches turn it over and slip point under bottom thread and pull and it will all come out. Then use blue painters tape to take out the remaining little pieces of thread. I love those sissors as I have some problem with my hand joints and all I have to do is pick them up and squeeze and not take time to get my fingers in the holes in the handles. My very favorite sewing gadget and I guard them, DH knows not to touch them. LOL When doing hand sewing I put them on my neck strap so I don't have to keep reaching for them. I bought a cheaper pair once but the tips were not the same curve and points were to sharp to use this way.

Toes and teeth - now that is really putting 'your whole self' into your work! LOL

I saw a lady use what she called an epilattor. It looks like a pen, has a small shaving head. Available at WalMart or Walgreens in the shaving dept for about 10.00. It was quick and then she trimmed her eyebrows. But I'm with bjnicholson. That's the way I learned way back 1/2 century ago, and then quickly check to see that mom didn't hear.

I really didn't know there was a right or wrong way.

Wow.....great idea Bonbonary......I never thought of using the machine as my gripper when you need a third hand.

I do use the small rotary cutter as someone else also mentioned.....couldn't be without it now that I was shown to use it.....but gotta be pretty careful.

Pat