Un Stitching!

Do you use tweezers to putt the thread, Pat? or do you just use your fingers? I found (being quite well practised in the art >grounds here this month!) I sewed the wrong strips together in four sets, so

Well .... I forgot to use tweezers, but will try that this evening. I have some nifty tweezers from my recent round of shoulder repair. I still hate those bits on the front, but I guess there is no way out of that, eh? "As you sew, so shall you rip." Thanks, PAT

I actually use my rotary cutter. I do the first inch or two with the seam ripper -- then I take my rotary with a VERY sharp blade -- and hold the two strips (one in each hand) and pull them apart every so gently to expose the next stitch.

With the super sharp rotary blade -- I pull the stitch up against the blade and just keep going... stopping every now and then to adjust the strips in my hand.

People always ask me ... "don't you cut your fabric" -- I never have -- I'm not putting enough pressure on it to cut the fabric -- just pulling the exposed stitch against the blade.

I can do a strip pretty darn quick.

Again -- I pull gently so I don't distort the fabric -- and this might not work on a bias strip -- unless maybe if you starched it first.

But for me -- the seam ripper only sees the first inch or two.

I suggest you give it a try. Take a few scraps and sew them together and discover how quickly you can separate them!!

Don't you just hate that?! The only suggestion I have is to use masking tape to pull off the little bits of thread.

--Heidi

Kate: I've heard of this method. You have a strip in each hand ... so how do you hold the cutter?? Ta, Pat

Kate: I've heard of this method. You have a strip in each hand ... so how do you hold the cutter?? Ta, Pat

would those front bits come out easily if you had a bit of tape around your fingers? then just pat your way along that side picking up all the threads along the way. just a thot, j.

"Pat in Virginia" wrote... Well .... I forgot to use tweezers, but will try that this evening. I have some nifty tweezers from my recent round of shoulder repair. I still hate those bits on the front, but I guess there is no way out of that, eh? "As you sew, so shall you rip." Thanks, PAT

the cutter is in my left hand -- it doesn't move -- and I have fabric in both hands too... (kind of wrap a finger around it on the left.

I let the right hand do all the work. I kind of "walk the fabric" through my hands if that makes sense.

I then use blue painters tape to snap up the bits. Doesn't get them all - -but gets most of them.

still a bit confuddled on that. how about taking a pix of the hand/fabric/cutter positions? j.

"Kate in MI" wrote... the cutter is in my left hand -- it doesn't move -- and I have fabric in both hands too... (kind of wrap a finger around it on the left.

I let the right hand do all the work. I kind of "walk the fabric" through my hands if that makes sense.

I then use blue painters tape to snap up the bits. Doesn't get them all - -but gets most of them.

No suggestions, and actually your method sounds pretty efficient.

Michelle in Nevada, who will be un stitching her machine quilting

Been using the rotary cutter for unstitching for years. So far, I haven't cut any fabric. I DO use the SM foot to hold the right side.lay the cutter across the right hand and hold the end with that hand so it doesn't move.then I 'lift' the left hand holding fabric as I go. You DO have to lift the presser foot and move that fabric every so often so you don't have to move where the cutter is.

I'm usually too chicken to try this, but you could do a Ricky Timms on it. He just grasps both pieces of fabric close to the seam and rips! I've done that exactly twice, but wouldn't advocate it if you're the least bit hesitant on the first rip.

rusty

If we're only talking about strips - I just clip a few stitches and rip. Doesn't feel as good as slamming car doors or kicking over trash cans but it helps with anger management. Polly

"rusty" I'm usually too chicken to try this, but you could do a Ricky Timms on it. He just grasps both pieces of fabric close to the seam and rips! I've done that exactly twice, but wouldn't advocate it if you're the least bit hesitant on the first rip.

rusty

Okay now -- think I'll need to recruit help on that one.... no hand free to use the camera! ;-)

and that wouldn't stretch the fabric? I'd be afraid of it stretching... will have to give it a try.

Didn't Polly suggest that using a de-fluffer that she got from her dry cleaner was a good way to remove those tiny pieces of thread that were left ?

Dee in Oz

no worrys, Kate. when you get around to it will be just fine and dandy. j.

"Kate in MI" wrote... Okay now -- think I'll need to recruit help on that one.... no hand free to use the camera! ;-)

With your teeth?

Mickie

I pick out a few stitches, then I pull up the top thread to expose the bobbin thread. I switch to one of those eyebrow razors and aim it at the bobbin thread and try to slice that. Sometimes, I can also slice directly at the seam, but you have to be careful. Then I use a lint roller to try to lift as much of the thread bits as I can.