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ByMeghan Sarma Reading Time: 5 minutes
Any sewer or sewist will tell you that cutting tools are necessary to make sure that pieces of fabric are the right size and shape. Excellent cutting tools help me get through the preparations and into the part of the process that I enjoy: putting the parts together to build the finished result.
To get to the good part in the way that you wish to, you need to have proper, high-quality cutting implements in your sewing toolkit.
If you grab your usual craft scissors for sewing purposes, that’s not going to end very well.
Shears are meant for fabric and they are not the same as scissors. Scissors contain two symmetrical slots for the thumb and a finger, and their blades can be up to 6 inches long. Shears are used to cutting through layers of cloth because their blades are frequently longer and sharpened to a “knife edge.”
With that said and done, let’s look at the best of what you are here for!
Our Top Picks For The Best Sewing Scissors and Shears
Straight Shears
- Best Overall: Snavida Fabric Scissors (jump to review)
- Best Budget: 7 Inch Gold Tailor Scissors (jump to review)
- Best Durable: LIVINGO Premium Tailor Scissors (jump to review)
Pinking Shears
- Best Overall: JISTL Green Pinking Shears (jump to review)
- Best Budget: Makasla Pinking Shears Scissors (jump to review)
- Best Durable: Mr. Pen- Pinking Shears (jump to review)
Left-Hand Shears
- Best Overall: Gingher 8 Inch Left Hand Dressmaker Shears (jump to review)
- Budget Left-Hand Shears: JinJian Left-Handed Sewing Fabric Scissors (jump to review)
Detailed Reviews Of The Best Sewing Scissors and Shears
Straight Shears
Best Overall: Snavida Fabric Scissors
4.8
$24.97$16.97
These fabric scissors are often said to be the unsung heroes of precision cutting. Crafted with high-carbon steel and titanium-coated, anti-rust blades, these premium scissors are a sewist's dream. The razor-sharp edges, sharpened on both sides, effortlessly slice through over 32 layers of fabric. Designed for comfort, the ergonomic soft-grip handle ensures maximum control, while the well-balanced weight guarantees years of smooth cutting.
Pros:
- Checks all the qualities we have earlier talked about
- Light-weight
Cons:
- Expensive
11/28/2024 11:35 am GMT
Best Budget: 7 Inch Gold Tailor Scissors
4.4
$8.99
Unveil the elegance of the 7 Inch Gold Tailor Scissors – a touch of cinematic flair inspired by the infamous "Us" movie. Embrace the allure of its stylish gold hue, identical-sized handles, and sleek stainless steel craftsmanship. With high-quality blades, these scissors effortlessly trim seams in rubber, leather, or cloth for drapes. Channel your inner artisan with a tool that not only echoes a chilling scene from a movie but also embodies precision and sophistication in every cut.
Pros:
- Smooth and light-weight
Cons:
- Looks duller than what the photos show
11/28/2024 11:35 am GMT
Best Durable: LIVINGO Premium Tailor Scissors
LIVINGO Premium Tailor Scissors
4.8
$19.99$11.89
These premium scissors are available in a spectrum of vibrant colors. Beyond the cosmetic charm, these scissors boast robust stainless steel construction and rust-resistant blades for durability. Effortlessly cut through textiles with over 16 layers, making them perfect for handcraft, sewing, tailoring, quilting, dressmaking, pattern cutting, modifications, and versatile use around the home and workplace. Experience utmost reliability with LIVINGO – the go-to choice for every creative endeavor.
Pros:
- Sturdy and light-weight
- Comes in different color variants
Cons:
- Expensive
11/28/2024 11:35 am GMT
Pinking Shears
Best Overall: JISTL Green Pinking Shears
4.7
$10.49$8.99
These pinking shears are specifically tailored for dressmaking and fabric work. Featuring teeth spaced 5 mm apart, these shears effortlessly cut through paper, fabric, and various craft materials. Crafted with sturdy stainless steel blades, durability meets a smooth cutting experience. The pretty green color adds flair to your toolkit, while the comfortable grip ensures ease in every snip.
Pros:
- Smooth cutting
- Inexpensive compared to many other brands
Cons:
- Might get a little stiff but some oiling will put that to bay
11/28/2024 11:40 am GMT
Best Budget: Makasla Pinking Shears Scissors
Makasla Pinking Shears Scissors
4.6
$8.19
These pinking shears scissors combines affordability and excellence for a seamless blend of function and value. Made from premium-grade stainless steel, these Zigzag Scissors for Fabric boast finely honed edges that maintain sharpness from base to tip. The extended blade enhances precision, while the ergonomic design provides a comfortable grip, ideal for tired or stiff hands. Additionally, these shears feature zigzag serrated edges for clean, fray-resistant fabric cuts.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Light-weight
- Sturdy and easy to use
Cons:
- Not recommended for several layers of fabric
11/28/2024 11:40 am GMT
Best Durable: Mr. Pen- Pinking Shears
4.6
$9.85
Mr. Pen Pinking shears bear a strong resemblance to those by Maksala. The handles are designed for comfortable gripping, perfectly conforming to the contours of your hand to prevent fatigue and discomfort. Crafted with premium stainless steel, the blades boast finely honed edges. This tool enables the cutting of fabric edges in a zigzag pattern, effectively reducing frayed threads, preventing unraveling, and maintaining a polished and tidy appearance in various sewing and crafting projects. It proves to be an exceptional cutting instrument, particularly suited for tasks that demand visually appealing zigzag edges.
Pros:
- Durable
- Cuts smoothly
- Affordable
Cons:
- It may stiffen over time, but that's nothing a few drops of oil can't fix
11/28/2024 11:40 am GMT
Left-Hand Shears
Best Overall: Gingher 8 Inch Left Hand Dressmaker Shears
Gingher 8 Inch Left Hand Dressmaker Shears
3.5
$40.43
The Gingher Dressmaker Shears closely resemble the previous product but in a smaller size. Unlike its counterpart, these shears lack rubber handles and are entirely crafted from stainless steel. Nevertheless, they manage to be both light-weight and robust simultaneously. Provided with a plastic cover, these scissors are impeccably and stylishly designed for use, making them an excellent choice if you don't mind the absence of rubber handles.
Pros:
- Light-weight
- Compact
- Sturdy
Cons:
- Expensive
11/28/2024 11:41 am GMT
Budget Left-Hand Shears: JinJian Left-Handed Sewing Fabric Scissors
JinJian Left-Handed Sewing Fabric Scissors
4.5
$22.99
These left-handed scissors from the Japanese brand JinJian exude a premium aesthetic and offer a high-quality tactile experience. Featuring an ergonomic design, the scissors boast a curved rubberized handle that facilitates smooth and snag-free cutting of fabrics, leathers, and various textiles. Light-weight in nature, the product minimizes stress on the user's hands. Enhanced with electroplated blade finishes, these scissors guarantee long-lasting, rust-resistant edges for sustained durability.
Pros:
- Ergonomic
- Easy to hold
Cons:
- Expensive
11/28/2024 11:40 am GMT
We’re done here with the list, and we have listed the best products based on customer reviews, specifications, and everything taken into account.
Buying Guide – How to Select the Right Scissors or Shears for Sewing?
Different Types of Sewing Scissors and Shears
You may have already started off with craft scissors that led you here, because anyone would appreciate a good pair of shears after they are done stressing their hands with household scissors that are never the right equipment for fabric.
That’s not quite the end of it. Shears are classified into several types, each with its own function. So here they are:
- Pinking Shears: Blades with saw-toothed serrations for cutting cloth with a zigzag edge to assist avoid or at least reduce tearing (e.g., on seam allowance edges).
- Straight Shears: Straight blades for slicing through notions and cutting cloth into predetermined shapes (e.g., trim, ribbon, bias tape, binding).
- Left Handed Shears: To avoid feeling like you are forcing the blades apart as you try to cut, look for sewing shears that are made for left-handed users and have reversed blades (that is, the top blade is on the left). For material to be efficiently cut through (rather than merely folded), the blade position must be reversed. This allows you to see where you are cutting as you work. The handles are also contoured to easily suit left hands.
How to Choose the Right Pair of Sewing Scissors?
Let’s take a quick look at the qualities you should look for in shears before purchasing.
- Handle Shape: It’s crucial to have ergonomic handles that are designed for comfort and grip; certain versions (made of plastic or rubber) are softer than others (metal).
- Weight: Light-weight shears are more comfortable and convenient for some people, such as those with arthritis, while medium- or heavy-weight shears offer better stability and leverage.
- Steel Blades: Most are constructed from sturdy, rust-resistant stainless steel. High-carbon steel blades are more durable, sharper, stronger, and better at keeping their edge. Uncoated high-carbon steel has the drawback of being rust-prone.
- Screw Assembly: The screws that hold the blades together should allow for adjustment and complete separation of the blades for cleaning.
Tips to Take Care of your Scissors
- The first and foremost, NEVER use sewing shears on anything other than fabric. Even the slightest use on paper or other materials will cause it to lose its edge.
- Avoid too much moisture.
- Wipe them clean. However, not with your hands. Use a dry piece of cloth. The former never ends very well, even if you are trying to remove a piece of thread.
- Try not to drop them. It might sound harmless but they might just not be as productive anymore after a few crash landings on the floor.
- Apply oil once in a while (Read our article on Best Sewing Machine Oils).
Summary: The Best Sewing Scissors and Shears Is
Straight Shears
- Best Overall: Snavida Fabric Scissors (jump to review)
- Best Budget: 7 Inch Gold Tailor Scissors (jump to review)
- Best Durable: LIVINGO Premium Tailor Scissors (jump to review)
Pinking Shears
- Best Overall: JISTL Green Pinking Shears (jump to review)
- Best Budget: Makasla Pinking Shears Scissors (jump to review)
- Best Durable: Mr. Pen- Pinking Shears (jump to review)
Left-Hand Shears
- Best Overall: Gingher 8 Inch Left Hand Dressmaker Shears (jump to review)
- Budget Left-Hand Shears: JinJian Left-Handed Sewing Fabric Scissors (jump to review)
Again, we choose our top picks based on customer reviews, specifications, professional recommendations, and many other important factors for the average sewing fan. Preferences may vary from person to person depending on what you are used to working with, what you are physically comfortable with, etc.
If you are an advanced sewist, have a look at our best sewing machines, best sewing booksandbest sewing magazinesposts and if you are looking to get a mechanical,heavy duty, quiltingorindustrial sewing machine, have a look at some of our great articles. If you are a beginner sewist, review ourbest sewing books for beginners, best sewing machines for beginners andbest sewing machines under $200to get started.
For brand related articles, check Best Bernette | Best Bernina | Best Brother | Best Husqvarna Viking | Best Janome | Best Juki | Best Singer |
For best accessories, check Best Chairs | Best tables | Best tracing paper | Best machine oils | Best scissors and shears | Best presser feet | Best needles | Best sewing kits |
Happy Stitching.
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FAQs
Fabric Scissors Tailor Sewing Shears
Makasla Pinking Shears Scissors
Left-Handed Sewing Fabric Scissors
7 Inch Gold Sewing Scissors Straight Dressmaker Shears
Makasla Pinking Shears Scissors
Never use sewing shears on anything other than fabric. Even the slightest use on paper or other materials will cause it to lose its edge.
