Unpicking or correcting seam mistakes is inevitable for any seamstress. Whether you are a newbie or a pro sewist, you will have to learn how to use a seam ripper because it’s a necessary skill to have. As long as you are sewing either by hand or using a sewing machine, there’s a point you will need to cut or open the seam. That’s where this awesome tool comes in.
What is a Seam Ripper?
A seam ripper is a sewing tool used to correct or undo sewing mistakes. It has 3 main parts:
Handle. Can be made of wood, plastic, or metallic.
Shaft. It’s sharp and thin for easy insertion in the stitches.
Curve/pit. It’s the sharp part of a stitch ripper. This is the part where you push the threads against to cut them loose.
Some Seam Ripper Uses Are;
- Unpicking stitches by removing unwanted or wrongly done stitches.
- Opening buttonhole. When making buttonholes, sometimes you find that marking the buttonhole first is easier then cutting the opening later.
- Cutting threads. It’s a great tool to use when cutting tiny threads that are very close to the fabric.
- Opening seams. You can use a seam ripper to cut open some temporary seams such as the basting seams.
There are several ways you can unpick stitches. The method you use will depend on the type of fabric, type of stitches, and the stitch lengths. For example, some fabrics are delicate and if you are not careful when ripping the stitches, you could damage the fabric and the same case is for very elaborate and small stitches. They will require extra caution when ripping them off.
4 Techniques On How To Use A Seam Ripper
Just note that there’s no specific way to remove stitches. The important thing is to learn how to use a seam ripper correctly depending on the type of fabric and stitches. Learn these 4 ways of how to use a stitch ripper on various seams.
1. How to remove embroidery stitches using a seam ripper
Work from the wrong side of the embroidery. Start by unpicking the stitches for hand embroidered work. If it’s machine embroidery, start by cutting the bobbin thread. Be careful not to cut the stabilizer thread as this could ruin your fabric. Work small section to prevent puckering of the fabric.
Read Also:
How to Remove Embroidery – Step by Step Guide
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2. How to use a seam ripper on hems and seams
Turn the fabric on the bobbin side. Identify the part you want to unpick. If you are removing all the stitches, start from the finishing end where you did a backstitch. Insert the sharp tip of your seam ripper slanting sideways to the curved pit. Push the ripper forward and upward gently to cut the stitch.
You can finish removing stitches in two ways. First, unpick each stitch at a time. Open the seams gently as you go. This method will be a lot of work and leaves you with very tiny threads to clean up. Use duct tape to collect all the loose threads.
Second, cut a stitch and skip 3 or 4 stitches. Finally, turn the fabric to the other side and lift the threads. This method is easy and quick because it doesn’t leave a lot of threads.
3. Unpicking by plowing between the fabrics
Remove stitches by working between the fabrics. It’s the quickest way to remove stitches. However, if you’re not careful you could nick the fabric. First, start by cutting the first few stitches from the backside of the fabric. This loosens the fabric corner.
Next, gently pull the fabric open. You will require a helping hand, or pin the fabrics on the table, then hold the fabric open on one hand. Slide the seam ripper through the stitches. In this method, insert the ballpoint tip underneath the fabric to prevent puckering with a sharp point. Move slowly as if cutting the fabric with scissors, while each time pulling the fabric apart.
4. How to use a seam ripper to cut a buttonhole
Other than unpicking seams, a seam ripper is used to cut open buttonholes. Pierce through one end of the buttonhole with the pointed tip of your seam ripper. Push through to the sharp edge, and slide the ripper until the other end of the buttonhole. To avoid cutting past the buttonhole mark, cut from both sides towards the center of the buttonhole.
Using a seam ripper is very easy and quite important to help you correct some mistakes or cut some seams. Over time, this ripper can get dull. It’s always good to keep the seam ripper sharp. If possible, have more than one ripper for backup. Keeping seam rippers sharp will ease the thread cutting process and also give you a clean cut without puckering the fabric.
How To Sharpen Seam Rippers
You can shapen the seam rippers in two ways;
1. Use a ball of steel wool.
Use a grade 000 steel wool. Wrap it around a thin object like a pencil or chopstick. Use the wrapped steel wool to rub it against the seam ripper’s blade. Move the steel wool in the same direction 3-4 times. Repeat this on the other side of the blade.
2. Use a beam reamer.
It’s a small round file mostly used to sharpen or smoothen small holes or objects. It’s also a great tool for sharpening a seam ripper. To sharpen, check the direction of the edge of the blade. (Sharpening in the opposite direction can make the seam ripper dull). Next, slide the reamer upwards in the direction of the blade. Repeat several times and test until its sharp enough.
Summing up
A sim ripper is an incredible and useful tool to have for any needle and thread work. Unpicking seams is just as important as sewing itself. When making that glamourous project, you might at one point need to undo some stitches or cut open a buttonhole. Learning how to use a seam ripper will save you a great deal in completing your projects. The above techniques will help you unpick with ease.
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