Scissors and Pins

[Lolli]

Can anyone recommend some decent little scissors for cutting fabric close to stitches, ones that will cut right at the end of the blades?

Also the best pins for stretch fabrics (lycra mainly) where the pins won't pluck the fabric? I have some Prym ones but I think they're getting blunt and I can't remember the size of them.

[UttaRetch]

Embroidery scissors.  I don't sew stretch, so can't recommend any pins.

[Bodgeitandscarper]

I recently discovered ball-point pins, I think mine are Prym, but not sure.  Embroidery scissors might do, but probably won't cut anything very thick, but very nice for cutting thread.

[DementedFairy]

If your pins are blunt, just bin 'em and get more.  I don't buy any particular type, although I do have a little box of very fine ones for delicate fabrics.

[Lolli]

I need the scissors for cutting lycra (two layers) close to stitches, cutting out a V insert on a leotard. Need some that will do a neat job of it.

I'll look into ballpoint pins aswell as very fine ones. What size should fine ones be?

[SkoutSews]

I have some bridal and lace pins from Jaycotts which are very fine.

Also these scissors have been very useful, even if they were bigger than expected when they arrived! I'd wanted embroidery scissors, but I find these good for trimming as they are sharp and cut cleanly.

[DementedFairy]

'duck bill' scissors are great for trimming close layers without snipping the wrong bit!

[Ploshkin]

I have the Kai scissors that Skoutsews has linked.  They are super sharp right to the tips of the blade and I use them for all my trimming clipping and notching.

[Nevis5]

I use the Kai ones too, have been through several pairs in my time but I think they're the best for snipping right down to the end of the blades.

[Lolli]

Excellent, thanks everyone as always!

[Marniesews]

I have some wonderful 4" scissors for clipping (really good for trimming really close to stitching) but they are around £20 - much cheaper than Gingher or Ernest Wright, however. Unusually for small scissors they have serrated blades so slippery fabrics, like lycra, don't have their annoying tendency to slip. I've had them several years, used them a lot and still beautifully sharp. Their name sounds a bit pompous but it's not untrue. Karen Kay Buckley Small Perfect Scissors

As for pins, I've used them all in my quest to find the best ones for lycra:  ballpoint, silk, quilter's, fine, extra fine, glasshead, flowerhead and probably more I've forgotten. The theory of ballpoint is fine but they were some of the worst - the lycra resists them & you have to push too hard to get them through. Ultra-fine pins slip through like butter but will pierce your fingers just as efficiently & bend easily too. Extra-fine pins are a good compromise and I use these most of the time as well as their flower head version.

[BrendaP]

Duckbill scissors for cutting close to the stitching.  Mine are Klasse and they cut well.

Re pins - buy a good brand, not cheapies from China.

[UttaRetch]

I have these



Swiss made pins.

[Bodgeitandscarper]

I've just had to order some of those Kai scissors   

[Lolli]

Thanks everyone, off to do a bit of online shopping