Shop Scissors Blog

Feature Friday: Sewing Scissors Gift Set

Looking for a great gift for the seamstress in your life? Consider the Clauss Goldline Gift Box Set. This beautiful gift set includes three pair of beautifully designed scissors, including Stork Bows, 3.5” Lions Tail Bows and 4” Straight Blade scissors. Each pair features the 24K gold-plated bows and shanks of fine cutlery steel.

The recipient will be able to easily perform delicate cutting and trimming without any fear of damaging the fabric thanks to the thin, sharp points. They are ideal for monogram work, appliqué and intricate trimming.

While the scissors, themselves, are beautiful, the same can be said of the box in which they are encased. This exquisite wooden case is lined with black velvet to keep your delicate scissors safe from damage. The scissors and case will be the perfect addition to anyone’s sewing collection.

For more information or to purchase this gift set, visit us online at ShopScissors.com.

Holiday Felt Wine Bottle Covers

Planning on giving the traditional bottle of wine for Christmas this year? Consider dressing it up with these fun bottle covers! This bottle covers will add extra holiday cheer without taking up any significant time, leaving you with plenty of time leftover to prepare for any plans with family and friends.

You will need…

• Tree template one or two
• ½ yard of felt
• Pins
• Sewing machine or thread
• Pencil
• Pinking shears or regular fabric shears
• Decorative embellishments like rhinestones or small bells
• Fabric glue
• Wine bottle

1. Download and print out one of the tree templates.
2. Pin together the two pieces of felt. (This will allow you to cut both halves of the tree at the same time). Place the tree template on top of the felt and trace it on.
3. Sew the sides of the tree together, leaving the bottom upon for placing it over the top of your bottle.
4. Use the shears to cut out the tree.
5. Use fabric glue to decorate your tree with any decorations you have picked up.
6. Place it over the tree and voila! You have your beautifully decorated bottle. The recipients of the gift will love the extra touch and your gift will be guaranteed to stand out among the others.

Feature Friday: Choosing the Right Paid of Sewing Scissors

It may seem like choosing the right pair of sewing scissors is an easy or menial task, but it is actually an important one if you do much sewing. Purchasing a good pair will mean you won’t have to go through the task of breaking in a pair for a long time and will yield much better results than an inexpensive pair. While you can always use a cheap pair until you can afford a good pair, do try to keep an eye out for sales at local shops or online.

• Try to purchase scissors at a fabric store over a pharmacy or office supply store
• If possible try them before you buy them to establish the level of control you feel while cutting and whether they are comfortable
• Consider the type of cutting you’re going to be doing – you may want a heavier pair for cutting fabric whereas for cutting yarn or wool you may need a lighter pair
• If you plan on cutting material other than fabric, such as patterns, paper or cardboard, make sure the handle is offset from the blades to help you cut long pieces – do keep in mind that cutting anything other than fabric will dull the blades more quickly

This week, we recommend that 8” Titanium Bent Trimmers which features titanium blades and contoured soft grip belt handles, making it easier for comfortably cutting fabric.

To order these sewing scissors or purchase another pair, visit us at ShopScissors.com.

Feature Friday: Clauss Goldline Gift Box Set

For this week’s Feature Friday product we are featuring the Clauss Goldline Gift Box Set. This is the perfect gift for the seamstress in your life and includes three pair of gold-plated sewing scissors. They are ideal for monogram work, appliqué and intricate trimming. The set comes in a beautiful wooden case lined with velvet and white satin.

• Includes Stork Bows, 3.5" Lions Tail Bows, and 4" Straight Blade scissors
• 24K gold-plated bows and shanks of fine cutlery steel
• Encased in beautiful wooden box

For more information on this great gift or to order one for yourself, visit us at ShopScissors.com.

Shorten a Prom Dress 1, 2, 3

So you bought this beautiful floor length dress for prom. The price was right, it fits right, and it even matches your boyfriend's tuxedo just right. Then you find out that all the other girls at school (including your friends) are wearing shorter, knee length dresses. Don't despair, don't even think about taking that gorgeous dress back, just shorten the length a bit. Here's how you can in 3 short steps:

1. Put the dress on while you are sitting down and pinch where you want the desired length to be and pin. Make sure the bunched fabric is about 1/4" for sewing purposes.Take the dress off and continue to pin around in a straight line.

2. Next take a pair of hemming shears and cut the fabric below your pin line.

3. This last parts easy, just run a double stitch carefully along the hem, trim any excess fabric underneath and enjoy your new shorter prom dress!

Embroidery Scissors

Every seamstress needs a good pair of embroidery blades, but how can you tell if a pair is going to last you ten years and give you a snip just as sharp as the day you bought it?

Easy. Get the 4" Titanium Curved Embroidery Scissors. 

The grip is soft and contoured, which will help guard against blisters. The blades are titanium bonded which make them 3 times harder than steel and likely to stay sharp twice as long. The best part about these embroidery scissors is the fact that they are the perfect length to maneuver around an embroidery hoop. If a pair of embroidery scissors is too long, then you end up cutting more thread than you intend. Too small and your hand bumps into the embroidery hoop. I have found that 4" is the perfect length.

Pick up your pair today and see what I mean.

DIY Valentine's Day Decorations

It just doesn't feel like Valentine's Day without making Mom something homespun.

So whether you're 13 or 30, take it back to your roots and try something DIY this Valentine's Day like these heart-shaped pot holders from Martha Stewart.

Here's what you'll need:

• Cotton batting
• Pins
• Cotton fabric (3 stacks of 12-by-12-inch pieces)
• Bias tape
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Pot holder template

For complete instructions, please click on the link above.

Forget Snookie and Gaga, this Halloween pet is super

So, we're thisclose to getting over our sugar overload from this weekend. (Hey, they do say you eat a majority of your year's candy intake during Halloween)

So, while this doesn't have anything to do with scissors - unless yo uwant to get started making your pet's 2011 Halloween costume from scratch -

We thought this cute photo of "Super Dave" a finalist in the Martha Stewart online pet contest would brighten your Monday morning.

Did you dress your pet up for Halloween? If so, what was the costume?

Children's sewing projects for back to school

Just because the kids are in the classroom doesn't mean the fun summer crafts have to stop. 

In fact, a school art class might inspire your child to try his or her hand at sewing. Whether you're saving this project for a rainy day or a long weekend, check out the tools and steps you'll need to make a fun felt notebook holder.

*Parents, please supervise*

Tools:

6" by 12" piece of felt for outside
6" by 12" piece of felt for inside
3" by 12" piece of felt for pocket
Two 13" lengths of 3/8" ribbon
1 Button with a shank
Extra felt pieces for outside appliqué
#10 crochet thread
Large yarn darner needle
Sewing Scissors
1 3" by 5" notepad
8 Crayons

Step 1:
With a running stitch sew one of the 13" lengths of ribbon to the top edge of the pocket.

Step 2:
Mark sewing lines for crayon pockets about an inch apart with a 3 1/4" pocket in the middle for the notepad.

Step 3:
With a running stitch sew the crayon/notepad pockets to the inside piece of felt.

Step 4:
Create appliqué design for outside with felt pieces.

Step 5:
Pin appliqué design to the outside piece of felt and tuck the second 13" ribbon underneath. This ribbon will wrap around the holder to the button to keep it closed.

Step 6:
With a back stitch sew appliqué design and ribbon to the outside piece of felt.

Step 7:
Sew button to the outside piece.

Step 8:
With a whip stitch or blanket stitch attach the outside to the inside/pocket. Make sure to fold the ends of the ribbon on the pocket in between the outside and inside pieces to hide the edges and make it look nice.

Step 9:
Fill crayon holder with crayons and notepad. Measure outside ribbon around the holder to the button. Sew a loop in the ribbon so it can hook around the button.

Step 9:
Trim ribbon end and finish with fray check or paint with clear nail polish so it doesn't fray.

Sewing techniques for the novice

An effective pair of scissors is essential to aid with your hand sewing.  The 7” Preferred Sewing Scissors  will prove their worth.

• Durable stainless steel blades
• Pointed tip
• Good general purpose scissors
• Effortless cutting
• 10 Year Warranty