1.) Is there a proper way to use a seam ripper?

2.) For those that do the FabShopHop when do they draw for prizes?

Thanks in advance!
Renee

#1-don't use it to stab the cat or open jars

#2-no idea

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

LOL babeegirl, thanks I'll certainly try to remember that one!!
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Proper way to use a seam ripper:

As little as possible!!!!!

Oh my goodness you guys are too silly!! LOL

Let me be more specific.......Okay, I've sewn my two pieces together and realized I goofed. Do I use the seam ripper to pull the sewn line out on the outside of the fabric or do I open up my sewn pieces and use the seam ripper down the middle of the two? Does that make more sense?

Slide the seam ripper under a stitch & then again 3 or 4 stitches away. Keep doing this until the end. Then you pull the thread on the other side of the seam & you are ready to redo the seam the right way!! Hope this makes sense.

seam ripper tip
http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/...am-ripper.html

Hope this help!!!! :D :D

Since the seam ripper question was answered above ....here's your fabshophop answer:
"How Winners will be Determined: The Grand Prize Winner, First Place Winners and Second Place Winners will be selected in a RANDOM drawing from among all eligible entries on approximately November 15, 2008. The prize winners will be posted on fabshophop.com/prizewinners_qhop19.asp on approximately November 30, 2008 and will be notified by email."

Actually, you answered the question yourself. Sometimes one way works better than the other.

The important things are to not stress the fabric and avoiding poking or cutting holes in it.

Or sticking yourself.

Yea, you don't want to stretch or accidentally cut the fabric by pulling it apart real hard to clip the threads. I pick on side (usually the one I can see better) and snip every 4 threads or so. then turn over and pull on the thread you did not snip and it should pull right out. Use a piece of tape to collect all the little snippets of thread left in the fabrics.

This intrigues me, using a seam ripper never seemed to happen in a certain way. But now that I think about it, my preference is to pick carefully between the two pieces. By carefully, I mean don't pull the thread or the fabric but gently cut the thread three or four stitches away from the opening then loosen to the cut and continue on. I find that this way I end up with one thread not cut making it easy to pull out one long thread. It also makes the thread obviously different from the fabric.

I've done Loretta's and Jannie's method. Both are equally simple.

Thanks everyone!!
Renee

I do this, then gently open and carefully rip a stitch or two

this is how I use my seam ripper - except when I threaten my kids with it because they have interrupted me AGAIN :-)

Perhaps the easiest way to use the seam ripper is to pick one side of the fabric, and use the seam ripper to "nip" the thread every half-inch or so apart. Then on the other side, you can just give the uncut thread a little tug, and your seam comes apart without distorting the fabric. :)

I have used both ways for the seam ripper. I do think I will look into getting the one from Clover. I do need a sharper one.

I love the clover seam ripper it works great :thumbup:
My favorite :D :D

Just be glad seam rippers have evolved to what they are today. This is one of Singer's needle threader/seam ripper combo tools from the 50's. I used to use just a single edge razor blade...it goes pretty fast that way! :roll:

They do get dull eventually. Using a new one is almost as much fun as using a brand new rotary blade! And in the same category of "Why didn't I change this ages ago?"

I'm not sure there's any right or wrong to using a seam ripper. The things you have to be careful for are definitely stretching or (BIG NO NO I HAVE DONE THIS TOO MANY TIMES) cut the fabric. I find that I go down the middle of the seam, but after seeing the idea of every 4th stitch or so to try that.

That doesn't necessarily mean that I am going to go sew a seam and then rip it out. I'm sure I'm going to have ample opportunities to use my seam ripper. They tend to multiply whenever I sew in a hurry.

M

I have only recently started using this technique & it is the BEST! I have been sewing for 36 years & this is the best tip I have ever seen. I clip every 4 or 5 stitches & it works great, no more pulling threads in the fabric or ripping the fabric.
Jo

As I said, I knew I would have opportunities to rip. Sewed several seams last night. Had to rip some and I love clipping every 4th or 5th seam. I didn't have to spend so much time pulling out all the little threads. It was great!

I use an eyebrow shaper. They come in a package of 3 and look somewhat similar to an exacto knife with a handle and cover. I bought a set at my local drug store in the "glamor" dept. (The one where if you buy the products you will instantly be gorgeous.) I really like the shapers in preference to my seam ripper which I bought. You use it to cut the stitches between the fabric.