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Moderated by EleanorSews
Posted on: 2/3/12 9:41 AM ET
I was wondering about scissors lately and wanted to know what size is best for cutting fabric? I have a nice pair of scissors but I think they might not be long enough. My scissors are Mundial knife edge dressmaker 8". I keep them fairly well maintained and only use them for fabric.
I find that the handle is a bit small since I have larger sized hands and that my fabric edges are sometimes choppy in appearance. Do I need to use a longer scissor to get a smoother cut? I am careful when cutting fabric, you know, not zooming through it at high speed so I'm thinking I need different scissors.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Sherry
I find that the handle is a bit small since I have larger sized hands and that my fabric edges are sometimes choppy in appearance. Do I need to use a longer scissor to get a smoother cut? I am careful when cutting fabric, you know, not zooming through it at high speed so I'm thinking I need different scissors.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Sherry
Posted on: 2/3/12 10:09 AM ET
I have a pair of Gingher 8" dress making sheers. I use them only for cutting fabric and I have threatened bodily injury to anyone who might even THINK about touching them.
It sounds like your choppy edges might be due to the way you're cutting as opposed to your scissors. When you cut, use the whole blade. Make slow, long cuts as opposed to short choppy cuts.
However I seldom use scissors anymore for cutting out patterns. I use a rotary cutter. I have a few different sizes. I use a larger blade for cutting straight edges. For cutting curves a smaller blad allows more control.
It sounds like your choppy edges might be due to the way you're cutting as opposed to your scissors. When you cut, use the whole blade. Make slow, long cuts as opposed to short choppy cuts.
However I seldom use scissors anymore for cutting out patterns. I use a rotary cutter. I have a few different sizes. I use a larger blade for cutting straight edges. For cutting curves a smaller blad allows more control.
Posted on: 2/3/12 11:21 AM ET
I have been considering getting a rotary cutter but really would like to try one before I invest in the cutters/cutting board/blades. I'll have to see if my local Joann's ever has classes that involve rotary cutters so I can try them out!
I think that sometimes I am not making long cuts with scissors because my fingers are not comfortable in the finger holes.....the curse of large hands!!!
Perhaps rotary is the way to go for me!
I think that sometimes I am not making long cuts with scissors because my fingers are not comfortable in the finger holes.....the curse of large hands!!!
Perhaps rotary is the way to go for me!
Posted on: 2/3/12 12:12 PM ET
The knife edge blade is a very good choice. Perhaps a bent handle would help eliminate making short cuts.
Visit your local fabric stores and "try on" the scissors for comfort.
Fiskars is an OK brand and they have some styles with cushioned handles.
I have also used the rotary cutter for cutting out garments and you have to hold the fabric tight and close to the blade. This goes very slow.
You would need the 18mm blade for intricate cutting, weights, an acrylic ruler (or two), large cutting mat and a Klutz Glove.
The rotary cutter is essentially a rolling razor blade. To help prevent cutting your fingers or hand as you hold down the fabric wear the KG. You can find this glove with the Fons & Porter quilting notions and supplies. It could save you a trip to the emergency room.
The entire rotary cutting set-up can be very expensive. I have all these products and now use them for cutting fabric for quilts.
-- Edited on 2/3/12 12:24 PM --
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Visit your local fabric stores and "try on" the scissors for comfort.
Fiskars is an OK brand and they have some styles with cushioned handles.
I have also used the rotary cutter for cutting out garments and you have to hold the fabric tight and close to the blade. This goes very slow.
You would need the 18mm blade for intricate cutting, weights, an acrylic ruler (or two), large cutting mat and a Klutz Glove.
The rotary cutter is essentially a rolling razor blade. To help prevent cutting your fingers or hand as you hold down the fabric wear the KG. You can find this glove with the Fons & Porter quilting notions and supplies. It could save you a trip to the emergency room.
The entire rotary cutting set-up can be very expensive. I have all these products and now use them for cutting fabric for quilts.
-- Edited on 2/3/12 12:24 PM --
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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
Posted on: 2/3/12 1:15 PM ET
I love my Fiskars razor edge scissors. The blades are not really long but I find that due to the spring action and sharpness I can cut faster and smoother.
I only use a rotary cutter when I am working with something very temperamental like challis or silk charmeuse. The blades tend to get dull very quickly so I don't like using it for everyday projects.
I only use a rotary cutter when I am working with something very temperamental like challis or silk charmeuse. The blades tend to get dull very quickly so I don't like using it for everyday projects.
Posted on: 2/3/12 1:54 PM ET
I use 8" Gingher dressmaker shears for the long edges and 5" Gingher tailor point knife edges for detail work.
I have the opposite problem: small hands. Rotary blades are hard to manage for my left handedness, and I mix and match scissors to get the best cut/fit for my material.
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I have the opposite problem: small hands. Rotary blades are hard to manage for my left handedness, and I mix and match scissors to get the best cut/fit for my material.
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Elaina
SewDucky.com
334.5 yards in stash...and still counting >.<
SewDucky.com
334.5 yards in stash...and still counting >.<
Posted on: 2/7/12 10:26 PM ET
Thanks for all the input, Ladies!
My local Joann's is having an open house day where all classes are 50% off so I think I will try the Quilting 101 class, it's the only class that uses rotary cutters. Plus, I need to learn some basic quilting skills because I want to make a t-shirt quilt for my son with his old t-shirts.
I have a feeling that I will stick with using scissors but I'll try the rotarys then decide.
My local Joann's is having an open house day where all classes are 50% off so I think I will try the Quilting 101 class, it's the only class that uses rotary cutters. Plus, I need to learn some basic quilting skills because I want to make a t-shirt quilt for my son with his old t-shirts.
I have a feeling that I will stick with using scissors but I'll try the rotarys then decide.
Posted on: 2/10/12 8:00 PM ET
I disagree with Patti Ann. I use the rotary cutter and mat to cut everything I sew. If you choose to try this understand that you also need acrylic rulers. Holding down the fabric while you cut with your hand near the edge is very dangerous. Instead you hold the acrylic ruler down and run your blade next to it. My most used ruler is a 6 x 24 inch acrylic ruler that allows my hand to be placed comfortably and securely back from the edge while the cutter runs against it.
My advice would be to wait until you can buy the cutter, mat, and several acrylic rulers when you decide to put your shears aside. It is much much faster than cutting with scissors and I would never go back. It is also much more accurate.
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My advice would be to wait until you can buy the cutter, mat, and several acrylic rulers when you decide to put your shears aside. It is much much faster than cutting with scissors and I would never go back. It is also much more accurate.
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http://lasewist.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 3/2/12 12:28 PM ET
I wasn't able to attend the class I mentioned.....and I realized that my scissors need some attention. A good sharpening and straightening! It seems as though the tips of the scissors aren't meeting properly and I'm not cutting with the entire length of them due to that. How I have missed this I will never know! Once I took some time to carefully watch while cutting I discovered this!
I still may try rotary cutting at some point. No extra money these days....DH lost his job last week.
I still may try rotary cutting at some point. No extra money these days....DH lost his job last week.
Posted on: 3/3/12 5:32 PM ET
I am left-handed and I have a pair of Gingher left-handed shears that are a little too heavy for me to use well, although it cuts so nicely! My husband got me a left-handed rotary cutter for Christmas and I love it! I am using the rotary more while I keep researching for new dressmaker shears.
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