I had to frog sew two lines of quilting off the last quilt I did. Unsewing is bad enough, but using a dull rough ripper made the job ten times worse than it should have been.

IF I go out on Friday or Saturday I have to buy a seam ripper (or maybe 6). We have never bought anything but the cheapies, but if there is a good one out there I'm ready to give it a try. Is there such an animal? Please provide your recommendation.

Thanks,

Darren

There was a topic awhile back about people using those little eyebrow razors. I've not tried it, but it sounded interesting. I lose mine so often they don't seem to have time to get dull. I usually buy 2 at a time. I suspect they all get dull, just the nature of a blade.

That's the problem with all blades they all get dull.

i don't use a seam ripper anymore...I much prefer a very sharp pair of thread snips w/ thin blades. I started using them when i worked in a factory making firefigher uniforms...Snip every few threads and pull apart - easy peasy..

The ones we used at the factory was from Wiss - I saw there is a pair from Fiskars at JoAnn's - the key is to look for a thin blade w/ sharp points to snip the thread.

I was looking for a picture:
http://www.drillspot.com/products/39...ead_Shears?s=1

http://images.drillspot.com/pimages/2579/257910_300.jpg

If you google 'Wiss Thread Snips'. you'll find several places that sell them and probably cheaper - but they're worth the price

ETA: Gingher has a pair that looks similar DO NOT get those - the blade is too thick to snip the threads - great to cut thread off the spool, but not to snip threads to rip out

I use the snips too, but I also use my seam ripper. I don't like the snips on the bias edges.

that is true - pulling a piece apart that is cut on the bias would definitely stretch it out....

I use a seam ripper, the snips at times, but if it's the whole seam to separate I use an old disposable scaple! (medical one I've had nearly 30 years!) It is finally getting dull. Wish I had more.

You can pick up a scalpe at Tractor Supply in the cattle/sheep medication dept. Same place they have needles/syringes.

I have the thread snips and like them a lot. They remain sharp for a very long time.

I just keep a bunch of cheapies and throw them out as they dull.

Would an Exacto knife work?

I use a spent rotary blade just like one would use a razor blade or exacto blade I just srtetch the top fabric with one hand and pop the threads with the rotary blade. always cutting towards the batting to prevent any OOpsie I boobooed.

I purchased a battery operated gizmo at a quilt show. They had then all packaged up. When we got them home they were Wahl mustash trimmers. They have them a WM. They work really well. Just snip the seam and run it along the seam and presto, stitches removed. I have never clipped the fabric either.

I found some nice seamer rippers at Joannes made by dritz it resembles a surgical blade and they wer $5.49 buy one get one free I bought a similiar one years ago for $12.00 at a quilt shop That had changeable blades but that shop has since closed the new ones do not have replaceable blades but on sale its not to bad

I would say A NEW ONE is the best one...seriously.

At a class I took the instructor said if you couldn't remember WHEN you purchased the one you had it was time to buy a new one.

For $5.00 - it's worth it every 6 months or a year - unless you do lots on UNsewing and dull the cutter! :)

This is the one that I use. It's great!

In a word - Clover.
The point is a lot finer than the cheapies. It makes it much easier to pick out the stitch.
Just cut every 4 or 5 stitches and then pull apart.
Works every time.

After you cut the stitches, pull the thread off the other side. It will be a whole piece. You only need to pick the snips off. No stretching or pulling.

You know what they say..."As you sew, so shall you rip"
Unfortunately, so true!

Clover makes two really good one...one folds in 1/2 and has a fine tip(that is my favorite one), then they have the one with the chunky white handle(much easier to find when I can't find the favorite one).

I agree, my dog chewed up mine this year, and I bought a Clover. I promptly thanked my dog, as wow it was a treat having this new seam ripper!

There is another Clover brand seam ripper with a brown/tan handle. It might not be made anymore. I wanted to buy it for an extra and could not find one.
The Fons & Porter ripper has a comfortable, ergonomic handle. However, [maybe it is just me] it does roll off the table. It is also handy for a stiletto.

I purchased a Clauss titanium seam ripper and just love it and the handle is larger. What is so nice about it is the seam ripper has a ten year warranty and they will replace it if it gets dull. They also have all type of scissors and rottery blades etc that has the warranty. I have been very happy with this line of products so far. I got rid of all of my cheapies.

Then a piece of tape or lint roller takes care of the little bits.

Yup! Love my clover seam ripper...easy to hold in the hand, and very fine point for faster and easier ripping.

I have a Pro Seam Ripper - because I am a pro mistake maker ;) My sister gave the set to me last Christmas. It is great!!!

Here is the description.......

Developed in response to a customer who felt seamstresses and tailors were under-served in tool development, specifically regarding the U-shaped thumb stabber that is currently called a seam ripper. The Pro kit includes two sharp-end stitch-picker blades for starting a seam, and four safe-tip rippers that complete the job without snagging the fabric.

The instruction brochure covers straight and top-stitched seams as well as 3 and 4 thread serged seams, and the techniques you use for each kind. The six blades, two blade holders, and detailed instructions all come in a fitted metal case to keep everything together.

The blades are durable, but replacement blade packs are available for heavy-duty users. Suitable for anyone who does sewing, even on a casual basis.

Made in Canada.

Here's the website for Lee Valley Tools if you are in Canada

http://www.leevalley.com/en/gifts/pa...%2c104%2c53218


For my American quilting friends here is the US website

http://www.leevalley.com/us/?c=2

If you can find it, Gingher also makes a wonderful seam ripper.

I prefer the sharpness of my Havel, but have put one of the new replacement blades in my Gingher and it works better than before.

I bought the Fons & Porter with 2 rippers at Joanns w/ coupon. I like it

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Looks like I'll be staying in today, but if I go out tomorrow I'll stop by a couple of places and pick up a couple to try out. I also found some of your suggestions on ebay for a good price, so I may just order from there and avoid the crowds altogether.

Darren

Barbara Thank You so much I believe that is the newer model of my seam ripper set the blades look exactly like it I am going to call them and ask I would love to buy new blades for mine instead of buying new seam rippers

I really like the Fons and Porter one. It has a good handle to grip and is sharp.

I bought mine at Shirley's Sewing Supplies, Dale, Indiana at a quilt show in Bloomington, IN. It is surgical steel, and very sharp. Be careful the first time you open and don't rip the end of your thumb like I did. There is one very similar in the Newark Dressmaker Supply catalog. It has 2 blades.

Guess I'm i trouble I've had mine 30 years and am still happy with it.

I still use my mom's sometimes - she used it for years and years before she passed away in 1982.

i bought one from the lqs that fits in the palm of you hand. it works great if you have hand problems.