Sewing Scissors

The Power of Sewing Scissors―What are Their Types and Successful Tips? Follow Our Killer Guide Here

Whether you plan to become a professional DIYer or set up a brand―you won’t go anywhere without sewing scissors. 

In the paragraphs below, we come to grips with the topic of sewing scissors. It’s probably the most popular part of the sewing kit. 

While you learn to sew, don’t forget to have a satisfying set of sewing supplies (like sewing pins and sewing needle) at hand!

Image source: Grommets Depot

Why do you need a sewing scissors guide?

Why is it crucial to get familiar with sewing scissors snips, and sewing shears? You just take them in hand and cut them, right?

The better your choice of the cutting device for the project, the better the outcome. And we’re here to help you decide on the best sewing scissors for your project. You won’t believe how significant their role is in the professional work of a sewer! 

There is a couple of factors that state that you’ve found your pair:

• • high-quality product, suitable for long-term use,
  • high comfort level, convenient angle of the handle, ergonomic;

Image source: Seamwork

Furthermore, the core of the issue isn’t to have the best cutting tools. What we’re really aiming at is the mastery of your craft. 

Super Label Store offers a choice of custom labels for the garments of your creation. 

There are different types of woven labels to level up your project in their professionalism.

Check out these:

• • hang tags,
  • care labels,
  • woven labels

and make outfits that came from your sewing table shine among others in the industry! 

The best sewing scissors―tips to keep them in shape

Care for your tools is an irreplaceable practice. It’s especially true for metal sewings supplies like sewing scissors. Rust, for instance, can be deadly for our fashion projects in progress. 

Thanks to Grommets Depot, we got to know several handy tips about the maintenance of cutting tools:

1. 1. Avoid dull blades. They damage the fabric. You can buy a honing stone to sharpen them yourself, or you can seek help from professionals. Taking your cutting tools to someone who sharpens knives and mower blades may be the right thing to do. Go for it if you own a cutting tool of quality (otherwise, just recycle them and buy a new pair).
   2. When you don’t use your scissors, lock them in the sewing kit and avoid leaving them on the sewing table. Sharp blades can be harmful to children and pets.

Image source: Seamwork

      3. Keep your cutting sewing tools clean. From time to time, wipe the blades with a dry cloth. Remove:

• • • threads, 
    • dust, and 
    • other small particles;

      4. To assure the long-time functioning of your sewing scissors, use a sewing machine oil. It will prevent your cutting devices from rusting. Don’t put excess, just a single drop on the screws. 

Image source: Martha Stewart

Sewing scissors set

At this point, we got to know:

1. 1. Why choosing the best sewing scissors for a project is among the best sewing tips and tricks for making your garment in-progress work,
   2.  How to keep your cutting tools in shape;

Now we’ll deal with the topic of types of scissors used by sewers. Make yourself cozy in your sewing chair because this lesson may be a bit more complex to tackle. 

Image source: Seamwork

Are you interested in scissors in general? On Homenish, you can find plenty of inspiring images. They have brief descriptions of various cutting tools used in many industries. 

Yet, in the table below, we’re narrowing the subject down. Let’s get to know the main types of cutting tools for sewers (thanks to Grommets Depot):

Type	Description	Good to know
Sewing scissors	We use these scissors for stitching.	Sewing scissors are further divided into other types of scissors, able to carry out distinct specific needlework procedures. We’ll get to this specification later.
Embroidery scissors	Embroidery scissors look a bit like surgical ones. Yet, they are smaller, beautiful, and delicate.  Read “Why you need a good pair of embroidery scissors” on Stitched Modern.	These scissors usually have: sharp tip for precision; curved blade with a non-slip grip, which: makes it ideal for cutting wires,  protects the fabric from any damage while cutting;
Thread Snips/Clips	Thread shears are made of the highest quality stainless steel.	What else to know about thread snips/clips? It’s a cutting tool with long life, maximum stability, and quick-clean trims, It allows easy and quick cutting of lightweight materials, They can have a finger ring or spring, an ergonomic arch with a soft grip design, and a safety cap. Suitable for right or left-hand use;

What about choosing the right sewing scissors with the help of the YouTube video below:

Later on, have a look at this brief video, “Guide to Buying the Perfect Thread Snips.” The beauty of the samples shown will make you eager to make the right choice:

Image source: Stitched Modern

Check out this smooth “Guide to Buying the Perfect Thread Snips” on Seamwork. Learn “How to Use Thread Snips” with Red Handled Scissors. 

And now, let’s get ready for the next portion of cutting tools:

Type	Description	Good to know
Rotary cutters	They are typically used for: cutting fabric, paper, and crafts, or trimming several layers of material at a time;	Be careful! The rotary cutters have sharp stainless steel blades.  The basics of a rotary cutter are on The Quilt Show. Pick the best products on Bob Vila.
Craft scissors	They usually look like standard scissors, are affordable and available. There are also ones that are handcrafted in various colors and styles.	What’s so special about craft scissors? They are for art and craft enthusiasts. They’re safe and kid-friendly. You can tie them to your belt or around your neck in a ribbon.
Left-handed scissors	There was a different than traditional handle configuration setting used to design left-handed scissors.	These scissors’ handles are contoured to fit the left hand (for example, Fiskars sewing scissors).
Industrial shears	These shears are made from the finest cutlery steel with a blade ground at the knife’s edge. They stay firm and do not slip from your fingers. They cut artificial fibers fast, clean, and easy, and are great for:  tough fabrics, heavy-duty clothing, carpet, upholstery, and composite materials;	Using these scissors is a bit more challenging than regular ones. Thus, it’s somewhat reserved for the latter part of your way from the sewing hobby to successful sewing business

Read “You gotta roll with it! – Why you should consider adding a rotary cutter to your sewing tools” on Mrs-h. Have a look also at “5 Common Issues with Rotary Cutters” on Quilting Hub. 

If you’re curious how to sew and want to come to grips with “Left-Handed Scissors Explained by Famore” (also known as the Scissorman), take a look at:

Rotary cutters or sewing scissors? 

We know the pain: this one and many others. 

In the fantastic blog by Mindy Makes, the issue becomes much more straightforward. It all boils down to the couple of decisions you have to make before getting your fashion project going.

	Sewing scissors	Rotary cutter
Speed	Slower than a rotary cutter	Faster than scissors
Price	In the long run, it is more economical. It can be re-sharpened many times.	You can’t sharpen blades, so you must buy a new one every time.
Comfort	Possible hand fatigue	Less likely to cause hand fatigue
Best for	fabrics with raised designs (sequence, lace, beading, embroidery, etc.), details like small curves, tight angles, etc.	straight lines wide curves fabrics: knit, leather, silk/satin (slippery fabrics) patchwork design for quilting (can quickly churn out numerous strips and blocks);
Strengths	Can cut on any surface, Great for: small curves, and cutting details with tight angles;	Makes clean, precise cuts. Great for cutting: straight lines, wide curves,  multiple layers of fabric;
Weaknesses	More complex than a rotary to cut clean and precise lines and multiple layers of fabric.	For cutting, you need a cutting mat. Read about sewing cutting table and other sewing room ideas. You can’t cut fine details or small angles as quickly as with scissors.

To sum up, the author of the blog we came for advice to believes that:

“If you will be mainly focused on quilting, then go for the rotary cutter. If you will mainly be focused on sewing crafts and garment construction, go with the scissors.” 

(by Mindy Makes)

Image source: Mindy Makes

Have a look at “Rotary Cutters vs. Scissors” by the National Sewing Circle on YouTube. It will resolve the question once forever:

Different types of sewing scissors

Besides the primary division in types of cutting tools, there is the whole kingdom of sewing scissors. We can’t wait to tackle them in the table below (again, Grommets Depot comes in handy):

Type	Description	Good to know
Dressmaker’s shears	This type is excellent for cutting various fabrics, from denim to silk. They have different sharp edges and long sharp stainless steel blades (that cut smooth to the end of the fabric).	You wouldn’t imagine how well-thought-of the design of such a pair is! The folded handle keeps the fabric flat for a precise, easy cut.  The top-blade is at a sharp angle, which allows for a smooth cut through the fabric;
Tailor’s scissors	These are small sewing scissors (about 5 inches/12,7 cm). They work best when cutting thick, heavy, or multiple layers of fabric.	These best small sewing scissors have two thick and sharp blades with precision ground knife edges.
Buttonhole scissors	As their name suggests, they are used mainly in the buttonholes’ department.  With buttonhole scissors, it’s easy to cut the fabric to an equal length.	They serve for opening buttonholes but come in handy also when replacing buttons without damaging the stitches.
Pinking shears	These scissors consist of zig-zag serrated cutting edges. Unfinished cloth edges fray, the weave becoming undone and threads pulling out easily. This sawtooth pattern doesn’t prevent fraying.  Yet, it limits the length of the frayed thread (minimizing damage).	Pinking shears are best suited to cutting woven cloth and crisp fabrics with a tight weave. They also provide a better grip on slippery pieces of fabric.   Read their use and history on Simple Simon and Co.
Appliqué Scissors	The best option if you want to: cut the fabric or  loose threads in layers, make a mat, cut, or cut a transparent and delicate fabric in the lace insertion;	They typically have: counterbalanced handles, unique paddle-shaped blades,  wide blades (it protects the fabric underneath during cutting);

 Buttonhole scissors’ construction is interesting:

1. 1. short blade adjustable screw scissors, 
   2. heavy-duty, 
   3. consisting of two blades:

• • • the upper one has a blunt distal end; its interior is relatively flat with a tapered cut from other edges;
    • the lower part has a sharp distal tip, and the inside of the blade is tapered; 

Also, did you know that tailor’s scissors are often used by:

• • sewers, 
  • artisans, 
  • quilters;
  • enthusiasts, who learn to sew at the courses?

It’s crucial to choose the best sewing shears that suit you. It’s not about having high-end sewing scissors but the ones that match your project. 

Image source: Stitched Modern