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From: debsews
Date: 10-22-2005, 11:49 AM (1 of 23)
| What kind of snips do you use? I bought a pair of Fiskars ShortCut snip at the JoAnns sale yesterday and they are a joke. They won't cut anything. So what kind are good? These are going back. |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: jenny-o
Date: 10-22-2005, 12:26 PM (2 of 23)
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I'm not sure what type of snips you mean, are they something other than regular scissors? I just use regular type scissors, they are Finny brand, made in Germany (large and small pair). I abolutely love them, they were expensive to me at the time (can't remember exactly how much) but well worth it. I always seem to be very happy with things that are German made for some reason. I don't think Fiskars was around back when I bought mine but I have had no reason to look at scissors since. Hope that helps? Jenny |
User: jenny-o
Member since: 08-28-2005 Total posts: 132 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 10-22-2005, 12:39 PM (3 of 23)
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For snipping a thread or two at the machine or for ripping out seams I find a cheap pair of stork scissors does just fine. When they get dull -- after a few years -- I just replace them. For trimming seams and such I use cheap scissors and again replace them about once a year or so. To cut out patterns I use a rotary cutter. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MariLynnTX
Date: 10-22-2005, 01:05 PM (4 of 23)
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I went and looked at my thread snips when I poured another cup of coffee but even though I looked through a magnifying glass I couldn't make out the brand name...it was too worn. These snips still cut the thread quickly and cleanly, after at least 7 or 8 years of use. Wish I knew what brand they are! They were a sewomg special at a fabric shop where I was teaching free-motion embroidery and only cost me $4. Boy, were they ever worth it! MariLynntx Life is a song...we give it harmony or dissonance.
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User: MariLynnTX
Member since: 08-13-2001 Total posts: 256 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 10-22-2005, 01:39 PM (5 of 23)
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I have a pair of Ginghers. It needs so badly to be sharpened, and it squeaks everytime I open it! This morning I dropped off my grandmother's pair for sharpening, also German, and with at least a few decades of use, followed by the past 20 years in my closet resting. I was so nervous handing them over! I decided not to drop them both off at the same time, b/c then I'd have to use my kitchen shears for sewing.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 10-22-2005, 01:54 PM (6 of 23)
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The only ones I have ever had, I received in the gift packet for attending a Shirley Adams Seminar and Trunk showing years ago..They have Viking on them and I don't think I will ever need another pair.. They live on my sewing machine. (for cutting the beginner threads, my machine cutter does the ends)
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: debsews
Date: 10-22-2005, 02:55 PM (7 of 23)
| These I thought would be perfect for cutting the threads at the machine or clipping the curves and they were $8.00 full price. I paid $4 but they are just worthless. I have my good Fiskars that I cut patterns out with and they were 20 something new. I like them ok but in general I would think they'd be much better. I inheritited some scissors that say F. Koeller and Co, Germany on the back. I should take them in to get sharpened. I've never tried to use a rotary cutter for patterns. How does that work with multisized patterns? I'm usually cutting under a pattern for the size I need. |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: Bama
Date: 10-22-2005, 04:33 PM (8 of 23)
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I have some Clover snips that are wonderful. I won them along with several other goodies from "Londa's" when Mary had a Christmas stocking contest here. They are black and very sharp. I have seen the same kind in fabric stores, but I can't remember how much they cost since I won mine. They are great for clipping threads, but for cutting into curves I like my Fiscars razor edged spring handled scissors. It's the shorter ones. I have an older pair of Fiscars with the spring handles that are not as good, but the razor-edged ones are great. I also have the larger razor edged Fiscars. Since they are spring loaded, it's much easier on my hands than my Ginghers. |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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From: mommydionne
Date: 10-22-2005, 05:35 PM (9 of 23)
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I have a small pair of purple handled cheapies I bought at Joannes for $4, they say Accent on the blade, they work for threads or clipping curves.
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 10-22-2005, 06:35 PM (10 of 23)
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My mother gave me a pair of "Wiss" snips over 20 years ago. I am assuming that they were fairly expensive as she bought a pair for herself first then gave me a pair for my birthday. She was using hers when she was working in a factory sewing snowmobile suits. Although I only did basic sewing and alterations until about 2-3 years ago, I am still using them and I have used these snips for more than just snipping threads! As for scissors, 2 years ago Canadian Tire had a package of 3 Wiltshire scissors (small, med & large size) for $7.99. One of the best bargains I've had. These stay in my sewing room and are only used to cut fabric. TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: AndreaSews
Date: 10-22-2005, 06:49 PM (11 of 23)
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I've never tried to use a rotary cutter for patterns. How does that work with multisized patterns? I'm usually cutting under a pattern for the size I need. Wow, bold move, Deb. I always trace the smaller size onto tracing paper. I never thought of trying your way. Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: debsews
Date: 10-22-2005, 10:11 PM (12 of 23)
| I'm sure it would be easier to trace it but I have so many grands and instead of purchasing a pattern for each of them I try to get all the sizes out of one. Sometimes I'm sure the errors show up but it's only jammies right now and they'll wear them. I haven't had any sewing lessons so I'm gleaning a lot of information from this sight. There are some really talented ladies on here. |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: Helen Weiss
Date: 10-22-2005, 10:25 PM (13 of 23)
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I have two pairs of Henkels thread snips made in Germany, and they are wonderful. I've used these for decades and they have never been sharpened. The best part about using these at the machine, is that you don't have to put your fingers into the holes, like you do with regular scissors, just grab and snip. They are spring loaded, so are quick and easy to use.
sewhappy
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User: Helen Weiss
Member since: 10-16-2003 Total posts: 69 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 10-23-2005, 09:16 AM (14 of 23)
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I don't think even I would try cutting under a pattern with the rotary cutter. Oh, who am I kidding? If it was that or scissors I'd try. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: debsews
Date: 10-23-2005, 09:49 AM (15 of 23)
| As soon as I get some new blades for my rotary cutters I'm going to give it a try. Can't be any worse than with the scissors! |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 10-23-2005, 02:09 PM (16 of 23)
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glad to hear I'm not the only one who cuts under a pattern but I usually do it with scissors!
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838
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From: AndreaSews
Date: 10-23-2005, 07:37 PM (17 of 23)
Pardon me for being such a control freak, but I care a lot about my sewing shears! Today I went and picked up my Grandma's old shears, and they seem fine. I was very relieved, of course. I'll be testing them out on fabric when I sign off here. Well, as I took my sharpened shears back, I handed over my other pair, the ones I've been using all these years. The kid (I mean kid) walked over to the other counter with them while I was inspecting Grandma's. He said, "Ma'am, these don't need to be sharpened." And I said, "Well, I'm having trouble cutting with them, so I think they do," and I looked over as he started to explain how well they were working for him, and he showed me the paper he was cutting just fine.  I held back my impulse to jump for them and grab them back and said, "Oh, well they're for fabric, and they're missing threads when I cut. I don't ever cut paper with them." I also mentioned that they squeak when I open them. He said he thought that was about the bolt that joins them, and he offered, "I guess I can try to lube it for you..." I just said to forget it b/c I didn't want to have oil leaking onto my fabrics. And then I decided to back off and let it go, b/c in this day and age, better service is something that might just be too much to expect. We'll see.... (wish me luck) I'm very nervous about leaving my shears in strangers' hands!!
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: bridesmom
Date: 10-24-2005, 07:02 AM (18 of 23)
Oh Andrea, I hear you and I agree totally with you. My shears cost me $80 CDN and I baby those things like nothing else. My DH picked them up one day and after I yelled at him, I'm sure he will never touch them again. As far as snips, I had a nice little pair I picked up that were fantastic until I caught him cutting his toenails with them I've never been able to find a pair to take their place.  I keep looking for another pair, wish I knew what their brand name was. I had a bad experience with sending my scissors (before the new expensive ones) to get sharpened. They did such a bad job on them I could barely even cut paper. Now I take all my scissors to my local sewing shop cause they baby them just like I do. NO more of those places that sharpen everything from knives to lawn mower blades for me!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 10-24-2005, 02:53 PM (19 of 23)
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Thanks you, Bridesmom. Well now I have learned my lesson. My Ghinger's are still at the shop and I did try out my Grandma's. They tightened the blades too much, so they are hard to open and close, and the last inch or so of the blades won't cut through fabric. I guess since they cut through paper well enough, they figured they'd done the job. Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: Linda H
Date: 10-27-2005, 11:52 AM (20 of 23)
| I have a little pair from Gingher that I'm never without. These don't have a thumb 'loop', so no matter how you pick them up, they're ready to go. Also, I love using my rotary cutter for cutting out patterns, (easier on the hands!) maybe you could fold the other size cutting line back to make it easier to see on multisizes, since it's pjs, you'd have mostly straight lines. Linda |
User: Linda H
Member since: 10-04-2005 Total posts: 8 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 11-02-2005, 08:13 PM (21 of 23)
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Thanks you, Bridesmom. Well now I have learned my lesson. My Ghinger's are still at the shop and I did try out my Grandma's. They tightened the blades too much, so they are hard to open and close, and the last inch or so of the blades won't cut through fabric. I guess since they cut through paper well enough, they figured they'd done the job. I went today, finally, to pick up my scissors. I brought in the pair they didn't do well with, and I brought in some denim to show them how they really don't cut so well. I also walked in with my dukes up, offering that they might consider taking "sewing scissors" off the price list if they don't know how to sharpen them! I was surprised to learn that the manager was the one who first worked on them. Well, this young man (not the manager) handled things really well. He worked on both pair right away, making the newer pair work nicely. He loosened the older pair, since they were so tight, even when not cutting anything, and that was better. But he still couldn't get the last inch or so of the blades to cut fabric. He offered me my money back with his apologies. He explained that scissors are the hardest blades to learn to sharpen, b/c each kind (kitchen, craft, hair, sewing) needs to be sharpened at a different angle, and since people are leary about letting go of their sewing scissors (and probably just replace their less expensive craft scissors when they're dull), they don't get much practice. He was very surprised to learn from me about how we sewers hide our sewing sheers from our families in order to prevent them from being used on paper, plastic, wire, etc., although he could see why those items would damage them. We both learned a thing or two, and I let my dukes down and stopped being all mad  So, not perfect, but I do have one working pair now.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: bridesmom
Date: 11-04-2005, 06:06 AM (22 of 23)
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Good to hear that you got some satisfaction with your scissors! I have my two pair of snips sitting, waiting to go get sharpened, I just can't seem to find time to go do it, but they both really need it. It's pretty darn awkward trying to use my gingher shears for snipping threads!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: opalstudio
Date: 11-05-2005, 12:02 PM (23 of 23)
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We have several types of snips at the studio, and each one is really different. 1. My personal snips that I hide in my office are drop forged steel and cost $30. They have the "thumb loop" which is actually a finger loop designed to fit over the middle finger. This allows me to flip the snips onto the back of my hand when I know I have more snips to make but can't really hold the the snippers in my hand. These super-snips will even cut through denim. 2. The "expensive" plastic snips with a hinge and finger loop. These cost about $6 and are good for snipping threads and some light weight fabrics. The interns use these: if they get dropped I won't have a minor conniption, but they work nicely. 3. The cheap plastic snips the beginners use. These cost about $4 and, because the only thing they will cut is thread, they are great for newbies as it's nearly impossible to have a snipping disaster (you know, where you accidentally snip a fold of your project because you're so darn excited). The only thing about these is that they are a single piece plastic construction...somewhat U shaped, with no hinge. Because of this, you have to develop the habit of squeezing the blades together as you snip or they won't even cut thread. You'll be there snippng and snipping and nothing happens. With both of the plastic kinds, the screws that hold the blades to the plastic can become loose and cause all kinds of trouble. So, imo, each one of these has it's place. Jo-Anne
sewing is good for you! Studio Opal, Centre for the Sewing Arts |
User: opalstudio
Member since: 11-03-2005 Total posts: 17 
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