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From: Janaya
Date: 09-13-2004, 08:17 PM (1 of 15)
| Hi everyone!! I am a new member and I'm very new to sewing. I need a pair of fabric shears but my budget is tight!! Right now I am sewing curtains made of a sheer polyester material. My cuts are always jagged!! I think this is a scissor related problem?? any suggestions? |
User: Janaya
Member since: 09-12-2004 Total posts: 8 |
From: stitchmd
Date: 09-13-2004, 08:30 PM (2 of 15)
| I've been pretty satisfied with my Fiskars until my kids used them and I can't find anywhere to get them sharpened. Someone mentioned on a sewing forum (this or another one) that Gingher will sharpen their scissors if you mail them in, so those will be my next ones. If you sign up for mailing lists for Joanns or Hancock you will get 40-50% discount coupons to buy your scissors. Dull scissors are probably causing your problem, as you guessed. |
User: stitchmd
Member since: 02-25-2003 Total posts: 226 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 09-13-2004, 09:41 PM (3 of 15)
|
Dull sissors and pulling your fabric too tight, or just stretching it a bit will make jagged edges.....I also use Fiskars (the new ones that are springloaded and go up and down instead of sideways.)
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: paroper
Date: 09-13-2004, 11:42 PM (4 of 15)
|
When you cut, make sure that your pattern and material is flat on a flat surface. You scissors are flat on one side and bent on the other. The flat side is meant to be used against the surface. If you cut in the air you seams will be jagged. Otherwise, I agree, it may well be your scissors. Save a little bit and buy a pair of Fiskers at the FABRIC store. They make a decent low-priced scissor but because they make so many different ones, I'd buy it from a fabric store to make sure that it is the right one and then I'd protect it like it were gold...don't let anyone else use it and don't cut paper with it.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Janaya
Date: 09-14-2004, 12:37 AM (5 of 15)
| Great advice on the scissor question.... And my jagged edges!!! I'll be off to the "Fabric" store shortly!! (that's if I can get my hubby to cough up a few more dollars??!!) Thanks everybody! |
User: Janaya
Member since: 09-12-2004 Total posts: 8 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 09-14-2004, 08:01 AM (6 of 15)
|
If you are still having problems try a rotary cutter. Then you don't have to lift the fabric at all when you cut it. That's what I use 'cause these guys on the boards took my scissors away when they found out I cut paper with them. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: paroper
Date: 09-14-2004, 08:07 AM (7 of 15)
Where but on a sewing board would you take scissors away from a kid because they don't play right and give them a knife! 
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 09-14-2004, 05:59 PM (8 of 15)
DS when he was still at home used my sewing scissors (a nice pair of Fiskars) to cut bread bag twisties with. Need I tell you what happened to them? I still use them but for cutting paper and such because the nick that was made is too deep to be smoothed out when they were sharpened. I used a small padalock on the handles of my new shears and he wasn't able to open the blades up to use them. 
Brockie
|
User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: Marty39
Date: 09-14-2004, 06:24 PM (9 of 15)
| Jayana, If you will email me your address I will send you a pair of new Singer scissors they are still in the package, I found some on sale and could not pass up the bargain even tho I didn't need them, I bought several pairs and I have one pair left, |
User: Marty39
Member since: 05-31-2004 Total posts: 4 
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From: cychen
Date: 09-15-2004, 12:36 PM (10 of 15)
|
Marty 39, you're soooo nice! I have found eBay to be a good source for reasonably priced quality scissors. You should check periodically for price comparison. I too had problems cutting fabric straight (esp. polyester lining, I get nicks and jagged edges) early on with a brand new pair of cheap plastic-handle scissors that came with a beginner's sewing kit. I bought 3 pairs of new Gingher scissors (for my b-day) on eBay for $47.26 + $10 S&H: One 8" dressmaker scissors ($13.01), one 5" sewing scissors ($14.26), and one 7-1/2" pinking scissors ($19.99). A little excessive for a beginner, I know, but I was committed to this hobby and I want to do it right from the beginning. For those who are on a budget, I would recommend one good pair of 8" dressmaker scissors to start. Since most Gingher scissors are regularly priced between $30-50 in retail stores, I thought I got a good deal. Besides, as stitchmd suggested, if Gingher offers sharpening service, you'd have a good pair of scissors for life. I use the same technique as paroper mentioned, and have found that there's a difference between my cheap pair of scissors and my Gingher scissors. I'm not advocating spending big bucks over learning good techniques, but for what is worth, I do see a difference in the cutting result. Christine |
User: cychen
Member since: 09-10-2004 Total posts: 15 |
From: MartySews
Date: 09-19-2004, 07:51 PM (11 of 15)
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You will love your Gingher scissors and that is not too much for a beginner. Happy Stitching! Marty 
It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
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From: mommydionne
Date: 09-20-2004, 07:21 PM (12 of 15)
Your husband used your scissors to cut bread twisties  Wow, you're still married?? We have so many different scissors in the house now it isn't funny but there is a threat of death to all who touch "Mummy's good fabric scissors" which are the fiskars spring loaded jobs, love them!! Actually I use the fiskars ceramic and orange tool to sharpen them, it really does work well and costs about $5 or so (or did 5+ years ago when I bought it) good luck with the shear fabric, I usually us a rotary cutter for that stuff b/c it slips so and you get off grain so easily. Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: Hogmami
Date: 10-07-2004, 06:42 PM (13 of 15)
|
I like the spring loaded Fiskars because you can use them with either hand. I'm lefted handed and the buy for a lefty is expensive. My parents brought me a pair of left handed Gingher scissors when I was 13 and I still have them. I had them sharpen at the Viking Sewing Center here. They sell them, but after 42 years of use they are pretty worn out. My son got me a new pair for lefty for Christmas a couple of years ago. I have found if I keep my sewing scissors in a draw no body brothers them. Scissors they can use for anything they want are on a peg board just inside the door of my sewing room. (No one dares to go pass that point) Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 10-07-2004, 07:56 PM (14 of 15)
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Even Lefty scissors hurt my hands so bad.. When the spring loaded fiskars came out I was in Hog heaven.. I cut out 5 t-shirts in one day with them and my hands did not even twinge.. I hide mine from the sons at my house.. Now they have a new one out.. (purple handle) they are general purpose, not specially for sewing.. So, we have a pair of those on the computer desk along with other office supplies.. I had to tell them they were OK to use.. ( I had them too scared about using my 'good' scissors, I guess) LOL..The ones for fabric have the grey handles..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Hogmami
Date: 10-07-2004, 10:11 PM (15 of 15)
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My hand teresist told me about the spring loaded scissors. I have had sugery on both thumbs and couldn't use regular scissors anymore.
Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800
|
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