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What is your favorite / most efficent way to rip out a seam (unsew)?

What is your favorite / most efficent way to rip out a seam (unsew)?

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Old 11-01-2018, 12:11 PM
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Default What is your favorite / most efficent way to rip out a seam (unsew)?

I am wondering if there is a faster way to remove a seam. How do you do it?

I have two main methods: 1) using the seam remover I cut the thread about every 3rd or 4th stitch on top then pull the bobbin thread and 2) using my electric seam ripper that looks like a hair grooming tool. On a few occasions the electric tool has cut my fabric, but its fast!
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Old 11-01-2018, 12:41 PM
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I prefer to unpick every few stitches then pull the thread on the other side.
It also helps to have a magnifying light if you use short stitches.
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Old 11-01-2018, 12:43 PM
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The title of this thread made me laugh - sort of!
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Old 11-01-2018, 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Sheri.a View Post
I am wondering if there is a faster way to remove a seam. How do you do it?

I have two main methods: 1) using the seam remover I cut the thread about every 3rd or 4th stitch on top then pull the bobbin thread and 2) using my electric seam ripper that looks like a hair grooming tool. On a few occasions the electric tool has cut my fabric, but its fast!
Electric ripper and if you hold it upside down when cutting you won't cut fabric...
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Old 11-01-2018, 12:44 PM
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I use my small rotary cutter like Eleanor Burns of Quilt In A Day.
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Old 11-01-2018, 12:45 PM
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So one of my friends went to a Ricky Tims workshop and he said he grabs each piece of fabric and pulls hard! This doesn't work if you are ripping something with pieced blocks. Just yardage. You have to be committed and yank hard. At our quilting group when she told us this we were all shaking our heads saying, no no, can't do that. And she took what she was working on, stood up, and yanked hard and wow, it all came out and nothing was stretched. I'm sure this doesn't work on bias, but on straight seams. We all gave it a try and now we are convinced. It was a hard lesson but very easy.
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Old 11-01-2018, 12:57 PM
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I have a little pair of pointed thread snip with serrated blades. I put one blade under every 3 to 4 stitches and serrated edge cuts the thread. Once finished, I pull the whole thread from the other side. This method does not distort or stretch the fabrics.
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Old 11-01-2018, 01:16 PM
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How appropriate a thread. I was just thinking the same thing today. Have you noticed it is easier to remove stitches in the direction they were sewn? Like others I clip every 1/2” or so pull a few clipped stitches then pull the thread on the back.
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Old 11-01-2018, 01:20 PM
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Bribe someone else to do it.
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Old 11-01-2018, 01:20 PM
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I also use my small rotary cutter.
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