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Best Scissors for Sewing and Quilting 2023
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Best Scissors for Sewing and Quilting in 2023

Finding the best scissors for sewing and quilting in a market saturated with options can feel like trying to find the proverbial ‘needle in a haystack’. This article will help you find the best scissors for sewing and quilting for your needs.

Sewing and quilting require precision, patience, and most importantly, the right tools. Just as painter needs a quality brush, anyone working with fabric needs a good pair of scissors.

Different types of scissors are designed for different purposes, so it’s worth having a few different types in your collection. But with the vast array available, how do you choose the best sewing and quilting scissors for all your needs?

This article will guide you to the best choices tailored to your needs, exploring the different types of scissors, top brands, and ergonomics. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to select the perfect scissors for your needs. 

So, let’s dive in and find the best scissors for sewing and quilting in 2023.

Best Scissors for Sewing and Quilting 2023

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission (at no further expense to you) if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from Amazon websites.

Types of Sewing Scissors for Quilters

The best scissors for sewing and quilting in 2023 come in various types, each designed for a specific task. And when it comes to top-quality sewing scissors, certain brands stand out.

  • Fiskars offer a wide range of scissors, from all-purpose shears to razor-edge ones, renowned for their comfort and quality. 
  • Gingher has a range of luxury scissors prized for their sharpness and durability. 
  • Kai’s professional-grade scissors are also popular for their smooth cutting action and high-grade stainless steel blades.

Here are my top picks for building a collection of scissors that will last for years.

Dressmaker’s Shears

Dressmaker’s shears feature a bent handle for easy fabric cutting on a flat surface. A pair of quality dressmaker’s shears is an essential tool for quilters and dressmakers.

Recommended:

Fiskars Razor-edge Softgrip Fabric Scissors 8″

Top pick for durability, quality, comfort, and price!

Fiskars Fabric Scissors are ideal for dressmaking, quilting, and textile art in general. With their ultra-sharp blades, they’ll cut through all types of fabric with ease.

The design, size, and weight of these comfortable scissors also makes them perfect for smaller hands. Fiskars scissors offer Scandinavian quality and durability.

Gingher Dressmaker’s Fabric Scissors 8″

Gingher Dressmaker’s Scissors are designed specifically with dressmaking and quilting in mind — the angled handles allow the blade to sit flat against your cutting surface, holding the fabric steady at the same time.

These stylish Italian scissors are made of premium, forged steel with precision-ground, knife-edge blades that easily cut through multiple layers.

Although designed with comfort in mind, these scissors are a little heavier and don’t have soft-grip handles. So if you have small hands or mobility issues, these may not be the best scissors for you.

Nevertheless, these Gingher scissors will serve you well, and last many years.

Embroidery Scissors

A pair of small embroidery scissors, with their fine pointed tips, are perfect for snipping threads. Although often not as sharp as other types of scissors, embroidery scissors can also be used for intricate fabric cuts.

Gingher Stork Embroidery Scissors

These stylish and useful embroidery scissors are an essential addition to any sewing studio.

For such a small size (3.5″), these scissors are very sharp and have a fine point – perfect for getting into tiny corners and snipping threads. 

Pop a pair of cute, durable Gingher Embroidery Scissors in with your embroidery or sewing project when you go out!

Needle-nose Scissors

Needle-nose scissors, also known as Micro-tip Spring-loaded scissors or Appliqué scissors, have a duckbill design, allowing you to trim intricate appliqué, fussy cut fabric, and snip curves and seams with ease.

Fiskars Premier Micro-tip Titanium Scissors

In my opinion, no sewing studio should be without a pair of these fabulous Fiskars Micro-tip scissors. I could not live without them!

Their ultra-sharp blades and needle-nose tip make them perfect for cutting out intricate appliqué shapes, clipping tight corners, or snipping threads. 

Fiskars Micro-tip Scissors also comfortable to hold and easy to use, making them perfect for anyone with arthritic hands or mobility issues. The Arthritis Foundation has awarded these scissors their Ease-of-Use Award.

Pinking Shears

The zigzag or serrated blades of pinking shears are used for finishing seam allowances and preventing fabric from fraying. In some textile art situations, they can be used to give fabric or paper a decorative edge.

Remember, if you use your scissors to cut paper, the blades will dull more quickly than if only cutting fabric.

Fiskars 8″ Softgrip Pinking Shears

Once again, a Fiskars brand rises to the top with their 8″ Softgrip Pinking Shears.

These ergonomically designed scissors provide a clean, patterned edge that is perfect for finishing seams, preventing fraying, and some decorative work.

Household or Multipurpose Scissors

These inexpensive household and office scissors are perfect for cutting paper, card, and patterns. Pick up a pair at your local office supplies store, or choose these multi-purpose office scissors:

iBayam 8″ Multipurpose Scissors

Featuring softgrip handles and ultra-sharp blades, these inexpensive multipurpose scissors are designed to meet all your household and office needs, from sewing and crafting to office and school.

These scissors are great for cutting burlap, paper, cardboard, light line, fabric, tape, and photos. And this handy pack of 3 pairs means you can keep a pair in your sewing studio, kitchen, and office.

Ergonomic Sewing Scissors

Ergonomic sewing scissors are designed to minimise hand strain during prolonged use. Brands like Fiskars and Kai offer models with soft grip handles and spring-action design, reducing the effort needed in each cut. 

These features are vital to prevent repetitive strain injury, making ergonomic scissors one of the best investments for sewing and quilting enthusiasts in 2023.

Kai 9″ Sewing Shears

Best features of the Kai 9″ Sewing Shears:

  • Professional scissors, ideal for thicker fabrics.
  • Ergonomic handles
  • Ambidextrous hand orientation
  • Hardened stainless steel blades
  • Lightweight

Kai Embroidery Sewing Scissors 150mm

Best features of the Kai Embroidery Sewing Scissors:

  • High-quality finish
  • Stainless steel blades
  • Ambidextrous hand orientation

Fiskars Premier Easy Action Sewing and Crafting Scissors

Best features of the Fiskars Premier Easy Action Scissors:

  • Ergonomic design.
  • Spring-action design gently opens blades after each cut to reduce hand strain.
  • Suitable for cutting a wide variety of materials including denim, silk and multiple layers of fabric.
  • 8″ Stainless steel blades
  • Awarded the Arthritis Foundation Ease-of-Use Commendation.

How to Choose the Right Sewing Scissors for Your Needs

Choosing the best scissors for sewing and quilting depends on your specific needs.

Think about what type of fabric you commonly work with and the tasks you perform regularly. 

  • Prioritise comfort, especially for prolonged use, and opt for a lightweight pair if possible. 
  • Assess the blade quality, material, and sharpness – stainless steel blades offer longevity and durability. 
  • Ensure your chosen pair has a tight pivot point for accurate cutting.
  • Invest in the best scissors to suit your budget. Quality pays off in the long run.

How Many Different Pairs of Sewing Scissors Do You Need?

Anyone involved in sewing, quilting, or textile arts and crafts will undoubtedly have more than one pair of scissors.

Having a selection of different types of scissors to suit specific tasks will make your sewing more enjoyable. 

If you’re making your first investments in quality scissors for sewing and quilting, I suggest beginning with the following:

  • Dressmaking or Quilting Shears: For your more substantial fabric-cutting jobs. 
  • Micro-tip Scissors: Perfect for fussy-cutting, appliqué work, or snipping curves and corners.  
  • Embroidery Scissors: Ideal scissors for hand sewing, travelling, and small sewing tasks. 
  • All-purpose Scissors: A pair of inexpensive household scissors will prolong the life of your dedicated sewing or quilting scissors.
  • Also, consider investing in a Rotary Cutter and Self-healing Cutting Mat. These items make cutting fabric for quilting a breeze, protecting your furniture simultaneously. 

Safety Measures with Sewing Scissors

Sewing scissors are sharp tools that require proper handling. 

  • Always cut away from your body.
  • Close the blades and store scissors in a sheath or case when not in use. 
  • Keep your scissors out of reach of children and avoid using them to cut anything other than fabric to maintain their sharpness.
  • If you’re working with children, invest in a few pairs of sewing safety gloves to protect those young fingers. At school, young kids are often supplied with safety scissors for cutting paper and light cardboard. However, they are not sharp enough to accurately cut fabric. Because most sewing scissors are extremely sharp, wearing safety gloves is a wise decision.

Cutting Techniques Using Sewing Scissors

Proper cutting techniques are crucial in quilting. 

  • Use dressmaker’s shears for straight lines, cutting in long, continuous strokes. 
  • When using dressmaker’s shears, cut fabric flat on a surface and keep the lower blade of your scissors in contact with the table for stability.
  • Use smaller scissors, like embroidery scissors, for curves and corners. 
  • Micro-tip needle-nose scissors are perfect for appliqué, snipping curves and corners, and other intricate cutting.

Using Scissors with Different Fabric Types

Different fabrics require different care while cutting. 

  • Sharp dressmaker’s shears will suffice for cotton and other common quilting fabrics. 
  • For thicker fabrics, like denim or canvas, opt for heavy-duty scissors. 
  • Delicate fabrics like silk can be handled best with sharp, short-bladed scissors. 

Knowing which scissors work best with different materials is key to achieving the perfect cut in your quilting projects in 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scissors for Sewing and Quilting

Q.1 Why do quilters need different types of scissors?

Different types of scissors perform specific tasks in the quilting process. For example, dressmaker’s shears are great for cutting large pieces of fabric, while embroidery scissors are better for detailed work and thread cutting.

Having a variety of scissors at your disposal can enhance precision and efficiency.

Q. 2 What’s the difference between regular and ergonomic scissors?

Ergonomic scissors are designed to minimise hand and wrist strain, often featuring soft-grip handles and a spring-action design that opens the blades after each cut.

They can particularly benefit those with arthritis or those undertaking large projects.

Q. 3 Can I use my sewing scissors to cut other materials like paper?

It’s generally advised to use your sewing scissors for fabric only. Cutting paper or other materials can dull the blades, reducing the tool’s effectiveness when cutting fabric.

Q. 4 How often should I sharpen my sewing scissors?

The frequency of sharpening depends on usage and the types of fabric you cut. As a guide, if your scissors aren’t cutting as smoothly or leaving frayed edges, it might be time to sharpen them.

Q. 5 What should I look for when choosing sewing scissors?

Key factors include comfort, blade sharpness, quality, and weight. Consider the types of tasks and fabrics you will be working with. It’s also worth considering the brand’s reputation and customer reviews. Always buy the best you can afford.

Q. 6 How should I properly store my sewing scissors?

Sewing scissors should be stored in a dry location to prevent rusting. Many come with a sheath or a case for safe storage.

It’s also important to keep them out of reach of children.

Q. 7 Are expensive scissors worth the investment?

While not always the case, more expensive scissors often provide benefits like longer-lasting sharpness, better ergonomics, and more durable construction.

Investing in high-quality scissors can make sewing and quilting more enjoyable and efficient.

The Cutting Edge: Fine-tuning Your Sewing and Quilting Experience

Choosing the right scissors can truly refine your quilting journey. But remember that the best scissors are those tailored to your specific needs and comfort.

In the realm of crafting, the right scissors can transform your project from a task into a joy, from a hobby into a passion.

While scissors may seem like an ‘everyday’ item, as a quilter or crafter, a collection of good quality scissors designed for your needs ensures that your scissors will never be the cause of any problems. 

Armed with the knowledge you need, you’re now ready to make an informed decision about choosing the best scissors for sewing and quilting in 2023.