Very basic question 1 - how do you use a seam ripper?
 

Yes, you read that question correctly. I've been quilting for about 10 years and someone has just told me of a different way to use my seam ripper from the one I was taught! I was told to go along the row of stitches and cut about every 3rd stitch. The thread on the other side then comes away, and the cut threads can be picked out. But the method I've just had described to me is to insert the seam ripper between the two layers of fabric and push it gently through the stitches. The end with the little ball on it separates the fabric and stops you cutting through it. I've been trying this method this morning. It is very quick - but - it's still easy to put the pointed end through your fabric and cut it. Opinions please!

I cut the top seam about every five stitches. Then just pull the bobbin thread, it should come out nicely. If one side of the block is going to be discarded, I make sure I cut the threads on that side, then I don't have to pick the small bits of thread that are leftover.

Depending on how much ripping...I have done it both ways.....have also done it with a rotary cutter....EB showed that on her tv program once awhile back....like I said depends on how long a seam and what mood I'm in.....

Same for me!

I have done it both ways, too. Sometimes it depends on how sharp my seam ripper is.
And keep the lint roller handy to take care of the little pieces that are left.

I do it both ways and use two kind of rippers. I found that there is more chance of ripping through your fabric if you're not careful with the " in between the seam" method.

The in between the seam method can stretch your pieces if you're not really careful, plus you end up with a lot more threads to pick out since it cuts thread on both sides.

i had always done it your new way. i recently tried it your old way. somehow, i keep reverting back to your new way.

I was thinking this as well. I did more of the between pieces when I was sewing garments. For quilt piecing (or I should say un-piecing) I do the every 3-5 stitches cutting of thread.

yep, I have to do the "in between seams" way for paper piecing, using a scalpel type ripper. Stitches are so short. It's carried over into my regular un-piecing as well ;-)

There's no stretching of the fabrics if you keep a sharp blade. like cutting butter ;-)

I just do whatever works best at the time. Yesterday I was walking around the house removing some stitching and my DH said, "You seem to use that thing a lot!" I practiced self-control... I did not use it on him!!

haha, oh my!

I had a very long strip that I had to rip & I took my DH mustache trimmer & it just ripped thru it like butter but lots of picking threads to it. Still way faster that way & a lint roller helps a lot!

Interesting. I have trouble using a seam ripper so I use a tapestry needle with a blunt point to rip out my stitches.

Agreed! Same for using those curved scalpels. I bought one at a quilt show and can't use it - too likely to twitch and send it into the fabric!

I have used both ways also and agree that it is easier to rip the fabric the second way. I am very surprised no one has suggested the easiest way to rip sew with no bobbin. HA HA HA I do that all the time

I lift the stitches from the top until the thread starts to 'drag'. I then cut it with embroidery scissors and start again. I can usually get 4" or more of stitching out before cutting the thread. I never saw the point of putting a 3 stitch limit on the process so I just go as far as I can without resistance. No wasted time, no short threads, and especially no cut or stretched fabric. I use the blade of my seam ripper so infrequently that it's still as sharp as when I first got it with my 1989 Viking.

I haven't ripped 'between' since I stopped making clothes, and back then (1960's) I used a single edged razor blade for that. Bear in mind that seam rippers used to look like this:

http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/13/49/59/13/singer10.jpg

and came with a needle threader on the other end.

http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/13/49/59/13/singer11.jpg

I have done both, I would just try both and see what you prefer as there is no right or wrong way, just the way that works best for you

Fabric stretching is the problem I have encountered with the "between the seams" method. I have better luck with the first method--just keeping the seam flat and cutting every 3rd stitch, then just pulling the two fabric pieces gently apart.

I bought the razor sharp curved blade ripper over a year ago and LOVE IT!!! There are two kinds. It doesn't have the name on it, but the other one isn't sharp AT ALL!!! I use the curved blade and use it every 3 stitches and then use the new seam ripper that is like an eraser and roll it over the thread pieces and pick up every piece of thread. The lint roller doesn't seem to work nearly as well as the eraser seam ripper. Well worth the money for it. It was very inexpensive. I don't use the seam ripper part, just the eraser part. I guess you can use an eraser instead of this new fangled seam ripper eraser, but it's probably not as fast.

I do both too, but tend to favour the 'between the seams' method - as we're calling it, lol - on longer pieces. The Dritz Ergonomic ripper (purple - two sizes) is the best one I've used for this method. If it's a short piece I usually just unpick every 4 or 5 stitches and pull apart.

New, very sharp rippers like Clover Brand are the ones to use for 'between the seam' ripping. It's very easy to push too hard on duller seam rippers and that's what can stretch fabric or cause you to cut the seam instead of the threads.
I use both methods carefully, depending in how new and sharp the seam ripper is; and I only use the Clover brand which I replace several times a year. I buy their little brown handled ones; they are less than $5 and I consider them like my cutting blades....change often.

Jan in VA

I use the rotary cutter, but very carefully.

I've tried the "in between the seam" method, but I always seem to cut my fabric. Now I stick with cutting every few threads on the bobbin side or "snip, pick and pull." That is, snip a stitch, pick out some stitches, turn over and pull the other thread. Tedious, but gets the job done, and I don't have all those little pieces to pick out.

Agree! I used the seam ripper in between with garment construction. But for quilting I take out stitches on the outside, cutting every third thread or so, just like you do.

Apologies if this is a stupid question - but how do you use a rotary cutter to unpick stitches? Can't figure it out!

Thanks for all the replies. I'm still in shock that it's taken 10 years for me to realise that there's an alternative way of using something as basic (and well-used!) as a seam ripper!

Husbands say the darndest things!!

interesting. Much like the scalpel method I imagine.

I prefer the first method, probably because my seam rippers aren't sharp enough. I have learned reading this thread that I need to add a lint roller to my sewing equipment and probably shouldn't consider a seam ripper a forever tool. Thanks for the help.

I have seen someone do this, and have tried it myself. It really works slick.
Lift the top fabric gently; holding the bottom fabric down with the pinky of the other hand; just touch the stitches with the cutting blade. Your right hand is resting on the table and the cutter handle is on the table, too. It goes down into the stitches flat-wise, and you lift it up and down. After you get into the seam a ways, your right hand is on the bottom fabric and it gets easier.

I do this with the scalpel. wonder why I never considered the rotary cutter. makes perfect sense.

I mutter and curse while using my seam ripper.

I go along with Geri B. as I've used seam rippers and rotary cutters to "unsew" seams. Whatever works best at the time.

That's exactly what I do too
 

I think it's faster. If the stitches are too small, I snip a few first, pull those out & turn the fabric over, pull the thread until it start getting tight, cut there, pull that thread out. When you turn over there's a long piece of thread to hold on & do it over again.

I've tried it your new way and it does go faster but you have to be careful not to cut the fabric and it creates lots more tiny threads. A lint roller picks them up pretty easily though. I do it that way if I have a long seam to rip, otherwise I do it the old way of cutting a thread every 4 or 5 threads and pulling out the bobbin thread.

I seem to stretch the fabric less if I cut every few stitches the pull the bobbin thread. However my best reply would be I seem to use it too frequently on some days!!! LOL

I also use both ways depending on the length of seam, weave of the fabric, and tightness of the stitches.

At my last quilt retreat, we were all treated to the sound of buzzing electric shavers. Not mine, though I brought a flat thing, not the beard-trimming type. The flat one doesn't do seams. Most often, I still use the old methods.