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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: MaryW
Date: 03-09-2007, 10:54 AM (1 of 25)
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I was sent this question today. If anyone knows, please post here. Thanks. How long has the seam ripper been available? I do some historical demonstrations and have been searching for years to discover WHEN the seam ripper as I know it was invented? If I am demonstrating using a 1917 treadle sewing machine, would a seam ripper have been available? I've asked dozens of people, done periodic internet and book searches, and asked experts; no one has a clue. Do you or your readers have answers or suggestions of where to find the answers? I've tried searching the patent office records, but haven't had much luck. Were there seam rippers available during the colonial period? the Revolution? How OLD is the modern seam ripper? MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 03-09-2007, 11:22 AM (2 of 25)
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She might contact the people who make and or sell them -- Dritz and the like. I used to get a catalog -- I think it was Clotilde -- that had antique notions featured in it as a point of interest (not for sale). Perhaps she could contact them. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: SheliaHC
Date: 03-09-2007, 11:26 AM (3 of 25)
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This is what I found. http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=4510688.PN.&OS=PN/4510688&RS=PN/4510688 Hope it helps. Shelia |
User: SheliaHC
Member since: 12-28-2005 Total posts: 95 |
From: Patty22
Date: 03-09-2007, 11:53 AM (4 of 25)
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Interesting site...... If the seam ripper, as we know if, was not available, what would seamstresses have used? Just looking at the question from another direction. Think about old sewing kits and a stiletto is usually part of the kit. The stiletto I am sure had multiple functions other than an awl. I use mine as a seam ripper by pulling out the bobbin thread in seams when I want to take them apart as well as using it to guide fabric under my presser foot when sewing bulky intersections/pleating/gathering. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 03-09-2007, 01:10 PM (5 of 25)
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I use stork scissors instead of a seam ripper. Those have been around a long time. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 03-09-2007, 04:20 PM (6 of 25)
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I think either single edge or double edge razor blades were quite common as use in ripping seams. I can remember when I was in high school (late 50s) -- geessshhhh am I old or what??? using my father's discarded double edge Gillette razor blades to rip seams and yes, sometimes I missed the thread and there went the fabric. In home ec class, however, if I remember correctly, to unsew a seam you had to sit and pull out one stitch at a time with a needle or something. Uggghhhh!!! I would never get anything finished now if I did that. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-09-2007, 06:02 PM (7 of 25)
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When I was in home ec in high school the teacher would have flunked us if she had caught us with a seam ripper...one girl had one but she only used it when the teacher was out of the room. Otherwise, we had to pick out our stitches with a pin. We never had a cut garment that way and I'm sure that is what she was avoiding. When we learned about sewing accessories, that was one that she "conviently" forgot to mention.
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: Addicted2Sewing
Date: 03-09-2007, 06:43 PM (8 of 25)
| I read that the seam ripper was invented in 1959 by Dupont. Don't know if this is what you are looking for. |
User: Addicted2Sewing
Member since: 02-01-2007 Total posts: 133 
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From: lendube
Date: 03-10-2007, 01:53 PM (9 of 25)
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If looks could kill I'd be dead. I casually mentioned that I use a seam ripper to open up buttonholes. I was at a dealer run class and the teacher was old and "old school". I think she was also trying to sell the little blocks and "chisels" made to do that. I'm sure they're better but I've yet to cut through a buttonhole edge.  Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 03-10-2007, 02:07 PM (10 of 25)
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Put a pin at each end so you can't rip through it. I use my storks for that too but if the fabric is really heavy sometimes I have to use a seam ripper to poke the hole with. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-10-2007, 02:07 PM (11 of 25)
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You can't cut through (or least I don't know how to cut through) IF you poke the long part down in one end of the button hole and back up in the other..then just push the seam ripper toward the other end...it is almost impossible to cut outside the button hole that way...and it is EASY!
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: idoms
Date: 03-10-2007, 02:26 PM (12 of 25)
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Thank you for all the posts. I joined the forum to reply to this thread. I am the person who asked the question of the age of the seam ripper. And the answers and suggestions that all of you have made have been better answers than I've gotten anywhere else. I do quite a bit of demonstrating of historical crafts and have wondered if a seam ripper was appropriate. For the period of 1890 to 1910, it does not seem to have been in use. The link to the pattent page was excellent and something I have looked for but had not been able to find. Thank you. The information that Dupont invented the seam ripper in 1950 something makes sense. My mother was a home economics major; she always used a single edged razor blade to rip seams. I took home ec. in high school and a seam ripper was one of the tools I used. In fact, it's probably one of the most essential tools I have. Again, thank you for your responses. If anyone has other information about the seam ripper--or other possibilities for seam rippers--I'd really like to hear them. Sylvia Idom |
User: idoms
Member since: 03-10-2007 Total posts: 1 |
From: Reta J
Date: 03-10-2007, 03:22 PM (13 of 25)
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I just figured the seam ripper was invented about 5 minutes after the first seam was sewn. But that is just my opinion. 
Sewing Forever
Housework Whenever Reta J |
User: Reta J
Member since: 01-30-2002 Total posts: 136
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From: DorothyL
Date: 03-10-2007, 04:08 PM (14 of 25)
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Reta -- I'm sure they found something to use early on. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: lendube
Date: 03-10-2007, 04:26 PM (15 of 25)
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Welcome, Sylvia! Hope you stick around. We are filled to the gills with info around here. Plus we're cosmopolitan and international! And Reta, lol lol lol. I had to buy another seam ripper a while back since I can't find my original. I got a super cheapo, $1.12 at WalMart and it's been plugging along just fine, not dull at all after a year or so. Sometimes cheap is good and there is no improvement on some basic designs. A round of applause to the inventor, whoever he/she is! Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: Patty22
Date: 03-11-2007, 07:52 AM (16 of 25)
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Reta..... now that makes the MOST sense of all! It is just as important as the eraser to the pencil ....
Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 03-11-2007, 08:59 AM (17 of 25)
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When I bought my Pfaff a seam ripper came with it. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-11-2007, 09:03 AM (18 of 25)
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Most Bernina machines come with one too
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: lendube
Date: 03-11-2007, 12:24 PM (19 of 25)
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My Viking did too. A baby one. Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 03-11-2007, 04:13 PM (20 of 25)
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The featherweight dh bought for me from e-bay had 3 good seam rippers and a broken one in with it. Now I'm seam ripper poor. I have 6 seam rippers in my sewing room now. It's either feast or famine. I had to go buy one about 3 weeks ago because I had either broken them or managed to knock them off the table into a trash can and throw them away. I'll se how long it is this time before I have to buy another one. If I can't find a seam ripper in my sewing room I panic! LOL Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: mcfay
Date: 03-11-2007, 04:16 PM (21 of 25)
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I have several seam rippers. I have one with a light on it but don't like it, it has a burr on the point. I guess I could use some sand paper on it. I remember growing up we used a single edge razer blade. As far as cutting button holes. I used a razer blade also the seam ripper. |
User: mcfay
Member since: 01-30-2007 Total posts: 16 |
From: lendube
Date: 03-11-2007, 04:27 PM (22 of 25)
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McFay, do you like the light feature or is it just a gimmick? Dark threads on dark fabric can drive me nuts! Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 03-18-2007, 05:04 PM (23 of 25)
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I have a bunch of rippers, but I did just buy one for serger threads, looks like a curved scalpel blade, I use one of those pointy exacto craft knives to cut button holes, deadly! Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 03-18-2007, 09:13 PM (24 of 25)
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I found this article tonight.... http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,887961,00.html?iid=chix-sphere TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 03-19-2007, 07:06 AM (25 of 25)
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Great story, Judy. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
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