tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post7386209495639469041..comments2024-03-14T16:03:32.434-04:00Comments on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing: Happiness Is a New Seam RipperGertiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-47119743631989718332012-08-13T23:45:59.716-04:002012-08-13T23:45:59.716-04:00I know I'm late to the party here, but I just ...I know I'm late to the party here, but I just had to chime in that I don't even OWN a seam ripper! I started out as an upholstery seamstress in a shop where we used straight razor blades to cut apart seams that have gone awry. If there happened to be a particularly tricky or stubborn stitch, just grab a thick pin and pick it out. When I started garment sewing, I tried the seam ripper, but threw it away after fiddling (and failing) to use it. The razor blade is SO much faster. You just have to proceed with caution when slicing apart a delicate fabric. You definently have to replace them when dull but they're cheap - grab a 100 pack of them at the hardware store for $10. Erin Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-74375126874852144382010-05-03T06:20:22.459-04:002010-05-03T06:20:22.459-04:00I just discoverd Threads magazine. This month'...I just discoverd Threads magazine. This month's issue (May 2010) has a 4 page tutorial on 'Unsewing Like a Pro' which is actually very good. I had no idea but there's a world of tools and techniques to help you rip it, rip it good ;)Starnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-28119112424114762872010-04-05T19:24:25.402-04:002010-04-05T19:24:25.402-04:00Like the other commenters, I also have never thoug...Like the other commenters, I also have never thought about improving my seam ripper! Though a sharper tool would make the task less painful. Mine has been 'borrowed' from my sister, as my original one (scalpel-like style) finally broke after being held together with masking tape. I must be hard on my seam rippers - ahh the frustration of having to undo and redo my work and waste valuable sewing time!Tasiahttp://sewaholic.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-35480821856826937462010-04-04T15:50:05.552-04:002010-04-04T15:50:05.552-04:00We call them seam wreckers in our kid's classe...We call them seam wreckers in our kid's classes! I recommend replacing them once a year - we give a long handled Clover ripper to people who get a sewing machine & tell them to celebrate their sewing machine anniversary by getting a new one, plus of course a cupcake.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16603529885870426467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-60853723533753264812010-04-04T09:45:36.786-04:002010-04-04T09:45:36.786-04:00Never thought about this either, but a funny artic...Never thought about this either, but a funny article. I never replace my mascara until it runs out. Sooo I probably won't replace by seam ripper until it breaks either (hope it doesn't break!!) seems ok 2 me for now. If mine was sharper I'd probably accidently make a hole in my fabric!!<br /><br />Hannah<br />Handmade Jewellery<br />http://surfjewels.000space.comHannahhttp://surfjewels.000space.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-6202260741095654152010-04-03T08:25:38.144-04:002010-04-03T08:25:38.144-04:00This reminds me that I need to replace my seem rip...This reminds me that I need to replace my seem rippers. I have 3, one of which is the blade type, but I've had them quite a while and I know the scalpel type is dull. It would seem to me that with a sharp seem ripper one would be less likely to push too hard and risk cutting into the garment fabric.patsijeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10362426384481772370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-498627855486738252010-04-02T22:38:33.006-04:002010-04-02T22:38:33.006-04:00Typical hook and safety ball seam rippers can'...Typical hook and safety ball seam rippers can't practically be sharpened. They can, but it's fiddly, and requires pretty specialized tools (a slip stone of just the right diameter, or a properly sized diamond file). I've done a couple (because I sharpen anything with an edge. I've sharpened my hammers.), but wouldn't do it on a regular basis. <br /><br />the scalpel sort can be sharpened fairly easily, but aren't worth paying someone to do it.davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07372217173540212251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-68898134343673707442010-04-02T19:11:35.778-04:002010-04-02T19:11:35.778-04:00I keep mascara until I loose it (2+ year usually) ...I keep mascara until I loose it (2+ year usually) since I only use it about once a month.<br />I've had the same 2 seam rippers for 14 years (since I got my machine) and the lid on one is held together with masking tape.<br />I guess I should think about getting a new one. (I also only buy new pins because all the old ones are in pattern pieces I cut and never sewed up.<br /><br />Did you know you should also replace your vegetable peeler every year or two?Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08848789612409874592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-45210907240525262402010-04-02T18:39:13.441-04:002010-04-02T18:39:13.441-04:00Yep-I guess it's time...thanks for the reminde...Yep-I guess it's time...thanks for the reminder :)<br />JanaJana @ Weekend Vintagehttp://www.weekendvintage.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-12536400445565752010-04-02T16:54:12.146-04:002010-04-02T16:54:12.146-04:00I'm having a giggle at the staple removal. I h...I'm having a giggle at the staple removal. I had just confessed on my blog that I used to ... ahem ... <i>staple hems</i>, before I could sew. I suspect, of course, that you were not using your seam ripper to remove staples from a garment!Lieslhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09392520536946879645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-22656938259675546532010-04-02T15:58:45.766-04:002010-04-02T15:58:45.766-04:00I replace my seam ripper more often than I replace...I replace my seam ripper more often than I replace needles in my machine, sadly. (That's more a testament to the number of seams I tear out, though.) I've given up on traditional seam rippers - I now use a surgical scalpel with a curved blade. It melts through thread like a hot knife through butter. It's so sharp, if you push your finger against the tip, the skin parts and the blade doesn't move. (Ask me how I know...) Just have to be careful to not cut the fabric.Junehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02807743649365159492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-83670244638295032072010-04-02T14:07:23.093-04:002010-04-02T14:07:23.093-04:00I love my seam ripper, handy for so many more (ina...I love my seam ripper, handy for so many more (inappropriate) tasks than just rrrrriiiipppping a seam. In fact I call mine "Jack", as in "Jack the Seam Ripper". :D<br /><br />Christine DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-45878370762863110392010-04-02T13:51:33.579-04:002010-04-02T13:51:33.579-04:00I finally broke down and replaced my favorite seam...I finally broke down and replaced my favorite seam ripper - I had replaced the tiny handle with a big one. I did get the big-handled one to replace it, but it also has a bigger point on it. So now I should get a new small ripper and re-do its handle. But yes a new sharp ripper is good.JustGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08948391538309176039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-73911772069105643752010-04-02T13:39:18.178-04:002010-04-02T13:39:18.178-04:00I'm thinking I should probable buy a new one, ...I'm thinking I should probable buy a new one, seeing as how I'm currently making buttonholes, and the auto buttonhole on my machine cocks up at least 1 in every three times..Clarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05138467994730469672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-12565705452712306732010-04-02T12:47:03.168-04:002010-04-02T12:47:03.168-04:00I have to ask, can seam rippers be sharpened, like...I have to ask, can seam rippers be sharpened, like scissors? I think that our disposable and replace-it era is coming to a close, but I agree that seam rippers work best when sharp. I'd rather just have my old one fixed rather than throw it away if possible.<br /><a href="http://melinabee.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">melina bee</a>melina beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10079734489990081556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-38969167754122269802010-04-02T11:53:28.500-04:002010-04-02T11:53:28.500-04:00I think I replace mine about every year. They see...I think I replace mine about every year. They seem to get kind of dull. I save the old ones for removing the staples from button cards. And, truth to tell, I sometimes use a -- gasp! -- single-edge razor blade!Saint Pudaliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06985204831843063151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-31583327809302101142010-04-02T11:45:09.392-04:002010-04-02T11:45:09.392-04:00I long ago abandonned seam rippers. They take way...I long ago abandonned seam rippers. They take way too long. I'm a razor blade girl.Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07934570624459048979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-49387239871424627622010-04-02T11:24:50.486-04:002010-04-02T11:24:50.486-04:00I don't think my mascara even lasts 3 months a...I don't think my mascara even lasts 3 months anymore before it globs up and goes dry. I guess the manufacturers are saving bucks like everyone else by putting less in the same priced package, but at least I won't be going blind. :-)<br /><br />Seam rippers - I use the disposable Havel like in Lydia's link and OMG it's slicey-dicey heaven. I also have a few similar to the Havels from Nancy's Notions but they were recently discontinued. I like the blade type better than the typical seam ripper, especially for ripping out serger seams.Debbie Cookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03601675304884019607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-35366766145380139102010-04-02T10:55:59.089-04:002010-04-02T10:55:59.089-04:00Since I've never met a seam I couldn't re-...Since I've never met a seam I couldn't re-do, I really should get a few more seam rippers. Mine tend to wander off, and I spend too much sewing time cursing and searching for them. I need them arranged on some kind of display for easy reach!Pattern Junkiehttp://patternjunkie.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-12920121654223115752010-04-02T10:35:21.144-04:002010-04-02T10:35:21.144-04:00And get your scissors sharpened. There are few joy...And get your scissors sharpened. There are few joys more....uh...joyful than cutting something with newly sharpened scissors and suddenly remembering how effortless they used to be.Katherine @ ZipZapKaphttp://ZipZapKap.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-25946898484402198702010-04-02T09:37:20.997-04:002010-04-02T09:37:20.997-04:00@Lydia, I followed your link and those sharp blade...@Lydia, I followed your link and those sharp blades are actually a little scary! ;) Much more hardcore than your standard seam ripper with the friendly little red ball!<br /><br />I indulged in a new one when I felt the first one I bought "tugged" more than ripped, and I love my new one. I always have better luck with Clover products rather than Dritz.glaylahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16306722669866865877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-4376916621459533002010-04-02T09:31:27.099-04:002010-04-02T09:31:27.099-04:00I might as well buy seam rippers in bulk.
I can h...I might as well buy seam rippers in bulk.<br /><br />I can hear you asking "Why? You surely don't break them <i>that</i> much!" That would be true, except for the fact that I'm working with a toddler in the house. Toddlers are kleptomaniacs. I swear it's true. Mine has run off with six seam rippers in the that week. (This included my oldest and rattiest ones that I didn't know I still had!)<br /><br />It was so bad that I just bought two new ones on Tuesday so that I can finish said toddler's Easter dress. Speaking on that, I need to go get the iron out to iron the skirt and the pintuck insert so that I can transfer pencil lines to them afterwards....Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07717835382469677601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-15002648664102728342010-04-02T09:22:03.752-04:002010-04-02T09:22:03.752-04:00Funny you should mention this. I just bought a ne...Funny you should mention this. I just bought a new one a few weeks ago because the one I had was my mom's and I'm sure it was probably 20 years old. I went on and on to my husband about how fantastic the new seam ripper was, even though he couldn't care less. It was a miracle!Rosehttp://thelaughingmonkey.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-91759924227900537542010-04-02T09:01:23.106-04:002010-04-02T09:01:23.106-04:00I know what you mean about that rippin' rush. ...I know what you mean about that rippin' rush. It's especially thrilling when the ripper is new. What size ripper do you sewists prefer? I've found the smaller (cheaper) ones to be more satisfying when ripping small stitches. But the big ones are more expensive which leads me to believe they're supposed to be better. What's the deal?Fattyboomboomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-52725032280360395112010-04-02T08:36:43.081-04:002010-04-02T08:36:43.081-04:00I never seem to worry about having a dull seam rip...I never seem to worry about having a dull seam ripper because I usually break one in 6 months! :D The mishap normally is caused by removing a nest full of stitches that I make when my fabric can't go threw the machine. Oh well, at least I'm keeping up with my seam ripper shopping!<br /><br />Rebekah<br />http://www.artandneedlework.blogspot.comRebekahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12937704182716495968noreply@blogger.com