The Importance of Quality Cutting Tools in Sewing

Investing in high-quality cutting tools is crucial for successful sewing. Prioritize the best shears and scissors within your budget, and make sure to keep them sharp. This ensures you avoid the frustration of dull blades and wasted fabric.

1. Consider tiny 4-inch (10 cm) embroidery snips or scissors with a fine, super-sharp point – ideal for trimming thread close to the fabric.
2. Use fabric shears for cutting large pieces of fabric. A pair of high-quality, sharpenable shears can last a lifetime. However, use them exclusively for fabric cutting, as using them on paper or other materials can dull the blades over time.
3. Designate paper scissors or old shears for cutting paper, patterns, tape, and fusible products. Their blades may not be sharp enough for fabric, resulting in a smooth, clean cut.
4. Employ pinking shears to trim seams and prevent edges from raveling. While handy to have, you can also finish edges with techniques taught in this book if you don't have them.
5. Include a seam ripper in your toolkit for removing stitching. Despite the name, there's no ripping involved; simply slide the hook under the stitches and let the small blade cut through the thread. This tool is a must for any sewer.
6. Utilize a rotary cutter with a self-healing cutting mat to cut through multiple fabric layers. Available in various sizes, always use this sharp-bladed tool with extreme caution.

Remember, no matter your sewing skills, at some point, you'll need to take out a seam, making a seam ripper an essential tool.