I guess I could say I didn't know any better, but I didn't know the proper way to use a seam ripper until I started blogging. I certainly don't remember who or where I learned this from out there in blogland....I'm sorry I can't give credit where credit is due, but learning this has saved me considerable time in ripping out my seams.....Heaven knows I do a fair amount of this. In this 'episode' of ripping I sewed one fabric to the wrong side.....anyway....you take your ripper and pluck through about every 5 to 8 stitches like shown.
When I was growing up and learned to sew....this was our 'weapon' of choice for seam ripping!!!.....LOL....does anyone else remember this?
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!
I didn't know you could go that far apart on the stitches...but ya know, I so seldom need to use a ripper. ha ha...I crack myself up.
ReplyDeleteWhen I learned to sew Grandma seemed to do all the ripping for me. I have no idea what she was using anymore...
Oh yes!! I sure do remember the razor blade era.. my mom use to rip a lot of old clothing up to remake something and I would sit and hold one end of the fabric while she did the ripping.
ReplyDeleteI did know about snipping threads every so often but didn't know about flipping to the back side to remove.. I always tugged the fabric apart till I could catch the thread.. I'll have to try your method.. sounds easier thx
BTW did ya get all that cotton harvested?
Nice to have you back blogging. Hope everything has been okay for you.
ReplyDeleteI have always used a seam ripper. I always keep a razor blade in my sewing drawer. There are times when the ripper just doesn't "cut" it. (laughing at my own pun - it wasn't meant to be one when I first wrote it - sorry)
Another hint that I learned by accident just a couple of years ago when I misplaced my old seam ripper. Buy a new seam ripper once in a while. Unless someone knows how to sharpen an old one? I had no idea my old one was so dull.
Wow! An old seam ripper.I always lose mine!! As we sew.........so shall we RIP!! Have missed your blogs lately....hope you are well! Happy belated turkey!! Gail
ReplyDeleteI never used a razor, but I also didn't know there were "rules" to using a seam ripper. thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad they invented the seam ripper otherwise I may have used the razor blade to slit my wrists on one or two of my projects!;o)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the helpful tip! I didn't know this!
Paulette
i did know that trick. depending on the stitch size and tension you can sometimes clip further apart. i don't remember using the blade. but i remember pulling apart enough to get my scissor point in there. thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat's a cool tip. I usually just run it down in between the fabrics. Who knew I was doing it all wrong (and so is my mom who showed me to do it that way)? :)
ReplyDeleteOh I do remember the razor blades for ripping - and for sometimes cutting myself. OUch.
ReplyDeleteI do the seam ripper both ways - which ever seems to suit whatever it is that I'm ripping. I like ripping by running it down the straight seams between the two layers, much faster that way - but for curves I prefer the skipping stitches method - both owrk for me.
Good tutorial for the skipping method.
no old enough to have used razors thankgoodness........I would have had holes cut in the fabrics I am sure
ReplyDeletethe best quick unpickers are the cloer ones.........they are so sharp I love them and won't buy anything else..........
How fun, a razor! (0kay, I'm being facetious) I bet you were pretty proficient with it, ha?
ReplyDeleteHere is one person that you have taught something to today. I have never seen this trick and I sure take out a lot of stitches. In fact I was earlier today and I wish I had read this before. Thanks
ReplyDeleteWelcome back!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an essential tutorial - I'm a pull apart and snip but this looks so much easier - and fewer tiny threads to gather - the ladies have added a few good tips in the comments as well... especially about using a sharp seam ripper!
ReplyDelete"If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well" (and re-doing) lol
Hia Belinda, lovely tip. I finally got the quilt back sewn and photographed today for you. I was waiting on getting some 505 before pinning.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering ... when you are trying to cut stitches IN the seam, is the ball on the ripper supposed to be up or down? See, we start to forget things after uhhh Senior Years!
ReplyDeletePersonally, I use my small rotary cutter. Have NEVER had an accident yet. 8-))
I unpick the same way, Belinda - never did use a razor blade though - too scarey!
ReplyDeleteHugs - Lurline
I do the same method as you but cut threads a little closer together, about 4 stitches, then pull from the other side. I also got the idea from a blogger to replace my seam ripper---it wasn't until I really thought about it that I realized my current one was 7 years old! I got myself an ergnomic one that is kind of rubberized and it doesn't roll away from me, go figure :)
ReplyDeleteThat's the method I use but I've never used a razor blade. I have tried a rotary cutter , same thing I suppose but it makes me nervous so I abandoned that idea.
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial, Belinda! I knew about that, just learned a few years ago. It's so much easier! And yeah, a new seam ripper will make your life easier. I bought 2 last time!
ReplyDeleteI remember the razor blade. It was too scary for me! I knew there would be blood...guess who's?? Great incentive to be accurate the first time, huh?
I have a friend who uses her rotary cutter as a seam ripper, YIKES!!
ReplyDeleteI did not know the flipping-over part, so thanks! I'm also thankful I missed the razor-blade era.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back. To follow up on your tip, take blue painters tape to pick up the "little" threads that stay in the fabric. Makes for fast removal! Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteWe always learn from each other. I sewed with my mom as a girl. And she liked things perfect. I was well acquainted with the ripper as tears used to go along with it from time to time. And she even insisted I use the seam ripper correctly! The nerve!!! oh how I miss her
ReplyDeleteOh boy I am glad someone invented the seam rippers we have now. I would probably have blood all over the place if I had to use a razor blade. lol
ReplyDeleteI've used the seam ripper method "often" but I really love to use my rotary cutter to rip!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe seam ripper and I are know each other well.
ReplyDeleteAll I have every used is a razor blade. The only sewing teaching I got was 'home ec' class in 8th grade. 40 yrs or so ago.
ReplyDeleteREMEMBER, how could I forget!! I grew up using a razor as a ripper. I am sure glad we dont have to so it that way now. LOL
ReplyDeletei truly adore all your posting style, very useful.
ReplyDeletedon't quit and also keep posting considering the fact that it just worth to follow it,
looking forward to look at even more of your articles, enjoy your day ;)