I have to admit; I have a house full of scissors of all kinds. From low-end fabric scissors for teaching kids’ fabric arts classes, to paper scissors dating back before my son was even born (who is now 30!), several pairs of fabric shears, and even kitchen scissors for cutting open meat. I guess you could say I have a bit of a scissor obsession!
The Importance of Sharp Scissors
But, with all these scissors, I’ve learned the importance of keeping them sharp. Dull scissors can be frustrating and even dangerous.
Have you ever tried to cut fabric and not be able to control what’s being cut? You could miss and cut inward toward the pattern, or get choppy lines. It is not fun.
Preparing Your Scissors for Sharpening
First things first, you’ll need to oil the screw with a drop of sewing machine oil. You don’t need to separate the scissors at the screw to do a good job, but it’s important to keep the screw lubricated for the scissors to operate smoothly.
The Sharpening Process
Now, onto the sharpening process. The key is that you will not be holding the set of fabric shears in the air and whittling away at them with a tool. We recommend a diamond cut sharpener which should be carefully placed on a level and clean surface.
Scissors obviously have 2 blades. On each blade there is a tiny beveled edge at the edge that does the cutting. It is normally like 1/16th of an inch or so. That is our focus to sharpen. The back side is to be completely flat.
Now, this is where it gets tricky. The angle for the beveled edge is different from the rest of the blade, so it’s essential to get it right. Some people mark the beveled edge with a marker. When you sharpen the blade, you can easily see if you’ve missed or unevenly sharpened the beveled edge.
Recommended Resources for Sharpening Your Scissors
The exact angle is tricky and that is why we are simply directing you to a Youtube video for this lesson. We did the research and found this instruction was the best.
For those of you who would like to see a more detailed demonstration, we recommend checking out this YouTube video: This video provides a step-by-step guide on how to sharpen your scissors correctly, and it’s an excellent resource for those who are new to the process.
Additionally, if you’re looking to purchase a sharpening stone, we recommend checking out this one on Amazon. This Whetstone Knife Sharpener is an excellent choice for sharpening your fabric scissors and other tools in your home.
Remember, a sharp pair of scissors is crucial for any sewing or crafting project. With a little bit of practice and attention to detail, you’ll be able to keep all of your scissors sharp and ready to use. Happy crafting!
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