So, I am blogging about scissors today, because it is a great topic AND I haven't had time yet to fix that red dress my son brought me from India. Hope to have it done by Monday. Read Wednesday's post to the bottom for explanation.
I keep them all in my "sharp" drawer, a term my older son made up when he cleaned and re-organized my kitchen drawer when he was 14. He thought it would be safer to have only one drawer you had to be careful putting your hand in.
I used most of these, too. As I work on a project and my table and workroom get messier and messier, instead of looking for a lost pair of scissors, I just dive into this drawer and pull yet another pair. Then, when the project is finished, I usually have at least 10 or 12 pairs of scissors to put away.
If I subtract these 13 from my total of 32, that makes 19 scissors I actually use and love.
They will cut through anything. I use these often for upholstery fabric or when making a corset and I have to cut through 2 layers of coutil and 2 layers of satin and 2 layers of lace all at once. (trimming a seam back to apply the bone tape)
You know ... next time I go to New York ... I should bring up all my dull heavy duty scissors and get them sharpened by an expert.
I showed up for my very first day in a New York costume carrying no tools. Up until then, I had always worked in a college shop that provided everything. But, in the professional shops, everyone is expected to bring all their tools: scissors, needles, rulers, etc. Also, thimbles ... but that's a whole other story ... future blog.
Anyway, a kind lady loaned me some scissors for the day and when I got off the subway after work, I walked into the local fabric store, AND YES every neighborhood in New York had little shops for home sewers in the '70s, and bought these scissors. They seemed so expensive at the time!
When I was a kid, we used pinking shears to cut out our clothes. Then the seams were instantly finished. Pinking a seam is still a great way to finish cottons and other light weight fabrics. We didn't have sergers then. And sometimes a serged seam isn't necessarily the best choice. The line of serging stitches can show through the fabric after it is pressed, not attractive.
Now both these pairs of scissors are REALLY dull and will barely cut. No Way will I let an unknown scissor sharpened touch these. I really am going to bring scissors to New York for sharpening!!
But, I loved her thoughtfulness.
What are your favorite scissors? Do any scissors you own have a story attached? If I get enough responses I will do a whole second blog with your stories. If you have photos, write me on my Contact page and after I answer you back, you can send images into my email account.
And I hope to have that red dress all fixed to show you on Monday. Have a great weekend!