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One of the most frustrating components of embroidery is the seemingly hundreds of tiny threads that pop up all over your projects as you are completing.
Embroidery scissors can be a quick and efficient way to get your projects looking as beautiful as you had originally intended them to be. Read on to learn more about these awesome products.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Embroidery Scissors
- OUR TOP PICK: Gingher
- RUNNER-UP: Fiskars
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: 3 Shears in One Pack - Precision Cutting Blades for Sewing
- BEST GINGHER EMBROIDERY SCISSORS: Gingher 8-Inch Knife Edge Dressmaker's Shears
- BEST CURVED EMBROIDERY SCISSORS: Westcott 13865
Comparison Chart of the Best Embroidery Scissors
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What Size of Embroidery Scissors Do I Need?
As with all products, size can be a double edged sword. Smaller scissors will be able to fit into tighter spots when trimming threads, and will also be more lightweight and easy to carry along, which is great if you want to work on your sewing projects on the go or bring them along when you travel.
Gingher is a 4 inch scissor that comes with a leather sheath that protects blade when not in use.
Larger scissors can also be beneficial because they are less likely to cramp up your hands, and can be more easily maneuvered than the smaller models. However, their bigger size and bulkier weight hurts their portability. It is up to you to determine what qualities are most important when weighing the balance for these scissors.
How to Choose Embroidery Scissors
With all of the many different model types out there, how is one to choose what will work best? Here are some of the top qualities to look out for:
Size
As mentioned above, size can be a huge consideration when choosing what embroidery scissors will work best for you. You have to strike a good balance between weight and portability, as well as get a size that will actually work for your hands.
Design
This quality mostly refers to the shape of the scissor blades. Many embroidery scissors look just like your average pair of scissors, except smaller and sharper. Some, however, have curved blades that may work better for manipulating the tiny threads in embroidery. These curved scissors can also be more complicated to operate, though.
Ambidexterity
We live in a world of primarily right handed individuals, and as a result, most embroidery scissors are intended for use by those with dominant handedness on the right side. If you are a left handed user, seek out scissors intentionally designed to be ambidextrous.
Quick Take - Best Embroidery Scissors
Before you get too far, here's a quick take of the best embroidery scissors:
Review of the Best Embroidery Scissors
Now that you have a higher level of familiarity with common embroidery terms, let’s take a look at some actual products:
Best Overall:
Gingher
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers report that these are some of the most durable scissors available on the market today. One user says that their Gingher scissors have lasted them up to twenty years!
Why it Stands Out to Us
We were impressed by how versatile this little tool can be. In addition to embroidery thread trimming, it also is tough enough to cut through vinyl, making it an excellent option for working on furniture projects and even auto upholstery as well.
Who Will Use This Most
These are an excellent example of fantastic embroidery scissors, but they also work well on knitting and crocheting projects in addition. If you are an all around avid sewer who likes a variety of different mediums, these will be great for you. Plus, they are good for leftys!
Bottom Line
The Gingher scissors are an awesome product option thanks to the combination of their durability and versatility. The one complaint some users have is that the tip on this model could be smaller in order to more easily snip the tiniest threads.
Runner-up:
Fiskars
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers love the wide range of different tasks these scissors can be used well for. In addition to embroidery, they are great for other sewing tasks such as crocheting and knitting, and an excellent option for paper crafting as well. One user even reported using them to trim beard hair!
Why it Stands Out to Us
We were struck by the intentional design quality of this model. Fiskars uses forged steel specifically to enhance not just the sharpness of this pair of scissors, but also their precision and their durability.
Who Will Use This Most
Those who are frustrated with their hands cramping after using embroidery scissors for an extended period of time will appreciate this model’s handle structure, which has an excellent weight and overall feel on the hands.
Bottom Line
The Fiskars scissors are one of the most impressive brands we were able to find, what with their versatility and high quality design. Just keep in mind that out of all the brands reviewed on this list, this option is the one most likely to get jammed blades and require manual loosening.
Best for the Money:
3 Shears in One Pack – Precision Cutting Blades for Sewing
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are big fans of the three different scissor options that come with this purchase. The larger scissors are great for cutting thicker projects such as vinyl and denim, and are even tough enough to handle pruning back shrubbery! The mid sized pair is excellent for craft projects, and users say the smallest size is the best option for embroidery (and also for cutting hair!).
Why it Stands Out to Us
We liked how intentionally lightweight this product option is. This quality ensures the scissors will always feel comfortable on your hands and be easy to use.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are looking for high quality embroidery scissors that you will be able to secure at an extremely low price, it will be difficult to beat the deal Clear Cut is offering for this product option.
Bottom Line
The 3 Shears in One Pack – Precision Cutting Blades for Sewing are all around excellent scissors that can save you a ton of money in the bargain. Be careful when using them, though – the back sides of the blades have square, sharp edges that users could easily cut themselves on.
Best Gingher Embroidery Scissors:
Gingher 8 Inch Knife Edge Dressmaker’s Shears
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers report that these scissors cut through fabric as if it is butter! If you want the sharpest scissors you can find, you have found them here. Users also report that these are an excellent model to use if you have arthritis.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We loved how tough these bad boys are! Not only are they great for embroidery, they can also cut through upholstery fabric, even if it has been folded multiple times, denim, wires, and thin sheet metal and sheet plastic!
Who Will Use This Most
Anyone who is drawn to high quality, durable scissors will appreciate this model. The scissors will stand up to extended use and are pretty much impervious to rust – one user says she accidentally put hers in the dishwasher and they still did not rust!
Bottom Line
The Gingher 8 Inch Knife Edge Dressmaker’s Shears are an excellent product choice thanks to their sharpness and overall durability. The sharpness can be a double edged sword, though, as they do not have any additional safety measures and it can be very easy to cut yourself.
Best Curved Embroidery Scissors:
Westcott 13865
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers report that they love these scissors so much, they went right ahead and bought a second pair in case their first pair wears out! But do not worry, these scissors are durable enough that they will be able to last and not require a backup.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We were drawn to the titanium bonded stainless steel blades on this model. The design is unique to Westcott, and produces a blade that is three times sharper than any of its competitor brands.
Who Will Use This Most
The curved blades on this model allow for a higher level of precision when making cuts. This quality is good for embroidery, crocheting, and machine appliquéing.
Bottom Line
The Westcott 13865 scissors are the best curved option we could find, in part because of their extreme levels of both sharpness and precision. The only drawback is that the handles on this model can feel more flimsy than some of the other brands.
Best Double Curved Embroidery Scissors:
Gingher 6 Inch Double Curved Machine
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers appreciate that this model of double curved scissors comes in a larger size. Most double curved scissors brands only make models in four inch increments, while this model is six inches in length.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We liked the maneuverability of these scissors, which is in part due to their larger size. These scissors can also be used to release threads, not just to cut through them.
Who Will Use This Most
These scissors are an excellent option for anyone who is interested not just in embroidery but also in flat cut appliqué work, quilting, or any sort of work on a hooped fabric.
Bottom Line
The Gingher 6 Inch Double Curved Machine is an amazing product option and our best choice of double curved scissors due to the ease of maneuvering and unique size option on this model. The only drawback is that with the curve of the scissors combined with their sharpness, some users have also cut into their projects when using them to trim threads.
Best Stork Embroidery Scissors:
BIHRTC Gold Plum Blossom Scissors Crane Design
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are immediately impressed by the striking beauty of these scissors. You receive two different models when you purchase this product option, one with a vintage plum blossom design and one in a more classic style.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We liked that BIHRTC has been able to walk the fine balance between keeping their scissors small enough to be able to be transported easily, while also including finger loops that are large enough to be used by individuals with bigger hands.
Who Will Use This Most
Users report that these scissors are an ideal option not just for embroidery, but also for needle work, for cutting yarn, and for cutting tapes.
Bottom Line
The BIHRTC Gold Plum Blossom Scissors are undoubtedly the most beautiful embroidery scissors we have included on this list. It is worth noting that, while the handles are gorgeous to look at, users say they are not the most comfortable to use.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are drawn to the tiny size on this model. While larger scissors do have benefits, such as those described above with the Gingher brand, smaller scissors are an excellent option for getting into extremely tight spaces when embroidering.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We appreciated the design on this model, which focuses on user comfort. The handles on this product were intentionally molded to be easy to hold on to for extended periods of time.
Who Will Use This Most
The smaller size on this model makes it a great choice for one of the most precise forms of sewing, the cross stitch. If you are into cross stitching as well as embroidery, you will greatly appreciate what Dovo has made here.
Bottom Line
The DOVO 3 ½ Inch Hardanger Scissors are a fantastic product choice thanks to their smaller size and increased comfort with the handles. One aspect to keep in mind, though, is that if you are left handed, these scissors were not designed for you.
Benefits of Investing in a Quality Pair of Embroidery Scissors
We have all known the struggle of choosing between a cheap product and a higher quality one. Here are the top reasons you need to go with a high quality option when it comes to embroidery scissors:
Ease of Maintenance
You do not want to take up valuable sewing time with taking your scissors in to get sharpened, or constantly adjusting their tension, or always needing to oil them. High quality scissors will simply stand alone and always perform for you without the need for maintenance.
High Quality Material
The most well made scissors on the market today incorporate elements of stainless steel, nickel, and, in some cases, even titanium. You really are just not going to be able to beat the quality (and the sharpness!) of these metals with the cheaper brands.
Versatility
The most high quality scissors will be able to be used for a wide range of different activities beyond just embroidery. Whether that is more sewing tasks such as crocheting and knitting, or other crafting activities, you want a pair of scissors that can go the distance for you.
Conclusion
Embroidery scissors are necessary for anyone who wants to be really serious about embroidering or other kinds of sewing. Make sure you choose a pair that will work for what you want to accomplish. We promise that you will not be able to go wrong with any of the options from our list above!