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Sewing Scissors Guide

Everyone needs a quality pair of scissors around the house, but those who have different hobbies and tasks to undertake will find that a regular par is not enough. This is where sewing scissors come in. Often razor-sharp and comfortable to hold, they can be perfect for cutting through a variety of fabrics, making them an ideal addition to your kitchen or craft draw.

The problem is, there are a lot of cheap imitators flooding the market. This makes it hard to tell the reputable ones from those that will break within a month or two. Because they should be heavy-duty, you might expect a pair of sewing scissors to last many years. This is why we have created the following buyer’s guide. When you have read it, you’ll know what a quality pair is capable of.

What To Look For In Sewing Scissors

Comfortable Handle

We can’t stress this enough. Since some projects mean you will have to increase the tension and squeeze a little tighter than usual, you want to find a pair of sewing scissors that are not going to pinch. You’ll be able to tell a lot by the materials used, and the shape of the handle. Anything that is rubberized or made from a smooth, curved plastic is good, and the softer the better.

Having said that, the shape and curvature of the handle will go a long way towards ensuring your comfort. An ergonomic handle is a must, in some ways more important than the blades.

Quality Blades

No pair of sewing scissors is going to be worth considering unless the blades are made from quality material. You can choose from hardened stainless steel or carbon, even bonded titanium as all three are known for being durable and sharp. The quality of the blade will determine how long they last before they require sharpening, and how sharp they are in the first place.

This is vital as you need something that will move effortlessly through multiple layers of fabric, rather than cratching and causing the material to fray.

Blade Length

This is something you will need to consider before you purchase as the blade length will go a long way towards how useful they are. If you are using them for projects such as quilting you will want a longer blade than cuts through a long section of fabric. The more intricate cuts and tasks won’t need such a long blade.

Rust Resistant

You need a product that is not going to spoil at the mercy of the elements. Even if it isn’t exposed to water, a pair of low-quality sewing scissors can show signs of decline pretty fast. To make sure the product you buy will stay with you for many years, choose one that is resistant to rust.

Protective Cover

Accidents happen, and because sewing sewings are among the sharpest items you will have in your home, it is important to find a pair with a protective cover. This not only protects you from cuts and grazes (especially from the sharp tip), but it will protect the blades and prolong their life span.

The Right Weight

Some sewing scissors are made from all metal parts which can cause them to weigh a fair bit more than the ones that come with plastic handles. This is fine for a lot of people, but not everyone gets on with them. You need to consider how heavy the sewing scissors can be before they become uncomfortable.

You’ll be glad that you took this into consideration when you’re halfway through a long cut.

Warranty

You might be wondering why you might need a warranty for a pair of scissors but these are no ordinary investments. Because the quality is supposed to be higher than your regular scissors, you will find that they come at a higher price. However, the build quality should ensure they last a long time. If they don’t, it’s always good to have a warranty to fall back on.

Sharp To The Tip

A lot of people don’t even realize that their sewing scissors should be sharp the length of the blade but the better products make it easy to create long cuts which reduce hand fatigue. One way of making sure you are spending less time cutting is by looking for sewing scissors that are sharp all the way to the tip.

How To Maintain Sewing Scissors

Although they might not be an expensive purchase, you will still want to ensure you look after your sewing scissors the best you can. Between sharpening them and keeping the protective cover over the blades when not in use, there are a couple of things you can do.

First of all, use a damp cloth to wipe the blade after every use before drying it properly and carefully. Then, rub a household oil, or a specialist scissor oil over the blades to help prolong their use. Some people use a lubricant such as WD-40 but anything that prevents corrosion and keeps the sewing scissors in good working order is going to be beneficial.

Different Types of Sewing Scissors

This is something that a lot of people tend to forget; sewing scissors come in different shapes and sizes and are known by different names. The following are some of the most common:

Dressmakers Shears

As the name suggests, these are often used to cut fabric for garments and a typical dressmaker shear will measure between 7 to 10 inches.

Heavy duty and perfect for slicing through multiple layers in one go, they are the most likely type of sewing scissor that you have considered without knowing it.

Pinking Shears

These are the scissors that you may have seen but had no idea what they were called. They cut in a zigzag shape giving an ordinary piece of fabric a new look. In a lot of ways, they have gone out of fashion over time and are often used in crafts that involve paper.

Tailor’s Shears

Some of the smaller sewing scissors go by the name of tailors shears. They are anything up to around 5 inches long and have thick blades to get through tough fabrics that are otherwise difficult to get through. Because of their compact size, they are easy to store and a lot of people like to keep a pair around even if they have invested in dressmakers shears.

How Much Do Sewing Scissors Cost?

Although the expensive isn’t massive, a quality pair of sewing scissors can be a bit of an investment for some people. The reward is in the ease of use as they manage to cut through thick layers with ease.

Because of the build quality of the better products, you should expect to spend around $20 for a decent pair of sewing scissors. Some reputable products only cost around $15 but this can be a bit of a gamble.

Any of the recommended products above would make a worthwhile addition to your craft drew or sewing kit.

What Are The Best Sewing Scissors?

This will depend on your needs as if you are just looking for a pair that you can use to snip thread but will last a long time then you will find that any of the top 7 will suffice.

However, there is a pair that is just that much better than the rest: Gingher 8-Inch Knife Edge Dressmaker’s Shears. They have incredibly sharp blades and a good length meaning they can be used on multiple layers of tough fabrics. The plastic shield to protect them when in storage and the build quality of the chrome-nickel means they are a cut above the competition, especially for the price.

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