When you first start out with sewing it can be difficult to know what items you need to include in your sewing kit. Go in to any haberdashery shop and you’ll be faced with hundreds of options and it can be really overwhelming! I studied fashion at university and have been sewing for over 10 years so I thought I’d share with you which scissors I find most useful for sewing.
Dressmaking shears
Whether you’re wanting to sew to make clothes or to make crafts, it’s really important to have a decent pair of dressmaking shears. These are available in a wide range of size and qualities. If possible it’s best to go in to a shop to have a feel and try them out for yourself. You want a pair that are a good weight to make sure they’re heavy enough to cut through the fabric, but some can be so heavy that you can barely pick them up! When I started my fashion degree I got a pair with 10 inch blades which works great for me.
Embroidery scissors
As well as big scissors for cutting fabric, you want a small pair for cutting threads. There are always lots of these to choose from in any haberdashery shop so they are super easy to find. Just be sure to get some with a good sharp point on so that they cut the thread cleanly.
Paper scissors
Please don’t ever use your fabric scissors for cutting paper! If you do, the lovely sharp blades of the dressmaking shears will go blunt and you’ll get a really rough cut on your fabric. Instead pick up a pair of general purpose scissors from the shops for cutting paper patterns. Or have a search through your house and see if you have a spare pair lying around anywhere!
These are the main scissors you’ll need when you start sewing. If you’re wanting to expand your sewing kit then keep reading…
Pinking shears
These funky zigzag scissors may seem a bit odd but they’re super handy for finishing seams. The zigzag blades help to neaten seams so they fray less than straight cut lines. If you’re not planning on using French seams or an overlocker then pinking shears will be very useful for you.
Rotary cutters
If you’re into patchwork then a rotary cutter may come in very handy for you. They can take a bit of getting used to but I find I can get a neater and more accurate cut with a rotary cutter than with scissors, especially if it’s a small or intricate cut. They also have interchangeable blades so you can have a different blade for fabric, paper and zigzag, just like you do with scissors. Just be sure to purchase a cutting mat as well to keep your surfaces free from slices!
For more details about my favourite scissors, check out the video below 👇