Scissors / shears suggestion

Aug 20, 2007 8 Replies

I've finally given up looking for the 1960s vintage Singer shears I had, so I now have an excuse to go shopping. I'm not looking for cheap disposable scissors, I'm looking for something that do the job for the next 40 years if I live that long :-)



I may as well go whole hog and get a nice set that includes the dressmaker's shears, embroidery scissors (the straight ones about 7 or 8 inches long), and a thread nipper to keep by the sewing machine. I'm quite willing to pay for quality and durability.



Any brand names to consider or avoid?



ObSewing project: I just whipped up a pair of curtains for the "teardrop trailer" that will be just a bit wider than the doors, and will stow out of the way without being too bulky. As storage space and cabinets (obviously) are in short supply, I added pockets to the bottom of the curtain for keys, glasses, earplugs, tissues, etc. Fabric is in two layers, a plain burgundy for the "outside", and a very nice coordinating burgundy/fuscia/pink swirly pattern with subtle silvery metallic highlights for the "inside", bound on the sides and top with coral- colored quilt binding. Fortunately the fabric tore nicely and the disappearance of my scissors did not prove too inconvenient.



DH wanted to know how I managed to get the seams so straight. 40 years of practice, I suppose ;-) He picked the colors and the fabrics, and I'm very pleased with the result.



I would highly recommend the Gingher brand of scissors. If you cannot find them locally, check with Nancy's Notions or Clotilde's sewing notions catalogs.

~ Sylvia ~

I sure concur with that. My Ginghers are truly wonderful--- and I've used a great many kinds of scissors. I have a couple Mundials that are also quite good but they are small craft scissors and a duckbill.

I have to agree. If you have the $ to spend, Ginghers are the way to go. Perfect balance, perfect weight and a great slice.

TSWLTH carries a selection Gingher shears, but there are other brands that are also very good, such as KAI, google for them. In fact, google for dressmaker shears and you'll find several brands to compare. IMHO, of course. Emily

I love all four sets of my Gingher scissors.

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I have two pair of 8" dressmaker, one "knife" blade the other "serrated", and two pair of 4" embroidery scissors, which have very sharp points. They are a little pricey, but if you use a % off coupon at TSWLTH (JoAnn Crafts

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are well worth the cost, IMHO. (I think that works for you, you're in the USA?)I have several pair of Fiskars, which are Ok, but they are mostly back ups in case I damage my Ginghers. NAYY,

Beverly

I'm quite partial to Kai -- I have the N7300 12" shears, the N5250 dressmakers and the N5100 needlecraft scissors (which are not fine enough for hardanger, but fine for most embroidery) Bought DH the COB210s. $5 sharpening, but I haven't needed to have them sharpened yet, and I've cut a lot of fabric. Well balanced in my hand, and a nice, precise cut.

I like them far better than Gingher.

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I have some spring-loaded Fiskars, 2 lots of small embroidery and one large scissors. Not sure they'd last 40 odd years, but I wouldn't dream of using anything else, although I guess in the end it's what you get used to and are happy with. It's not as though they cost a small fortune, so replacing them won't break the bank.....

Lots of people will recommend Ginghers. I don't like their shears - they don't fit my hand properly. I gave mine to my mother, who does like them. I currently have a couple of pairs of Mondial shears, and some Fiskars for backup/fleece or when I take my sewing somewhere.

For thread nippers, I use the cheap ones from TSWLTH -- I do have a Gingher nipper that I really like, but it's almost always on the other side of the other machine, and with 3 or four pairs of the cheap ones, they're always where I need them, and they work well enough....

jenn

-- Jenn Ridley : snipped-for-privacy@chartermi.net

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