Best Sewing Scissors And Shears

If you are on your sewing journey but you’re not sure what type of scissors you need keep reading. Finding a good pair of scissors will only make your sewing adventures easier.

There are many good sewing scissors for you to choose from.

Since you are here, I have made a list of shears and scissors that you can choose from according to your needs. If you are left-handed or want a complete scissor set, we have you covered.

What Are The Best Brands For Sewing Scissors

I have used some different Scissors in my time sewing and I’ll let you in on a secret. Most of the big brands make amazing scissors. My top scissors of choice are and always will be Gingher, Kai and Singer sewing shears.

They work the best for cutting cloth, be it multiple layers or a full cut till the tip. They last for decades. I’m not a hundred years old but mine is going strong and my aunt has had hers for almost forty years.

They are sharp because we never used them for anything other than cutting fabrics. So if you are wondering what brand is best for sewing scissors, take the first-hand advice of a sewist at heart and buy Singer, Kai or Gingher.

What Is The Difference Between Sewing Shears & Sewing Scissors

Scissors have equal-sized handles and are smaller in size. Shears have a larger and smaller handle for better grip and have longer blades. Although there is a technical distinction sewing shears are also referred to as scissors.

What Do You Want From A Pair Of Scissors?

I have made a quick guide for you to quickly go through before you choose the ideal pair of scissors. It is important to know exactly what you will use your scissors for and make your purchases accordingly.

• Scissors for left handed people: If you are left handed you can buy a pair of scissors with a reversed blade. It is essential to have pair of scissors that you are comfortable with.

• Scissors for arthritis: If you have arthritis or you’re buying a pair of scissors for someone with arthritus then choose a pair of lightweight scissors. People with arthritis have trouble holding heavy objects and a lighter pairs of scissors will be less stressful for them.

• Scissors for silky material: Some delicate and silky fabrics need scissors with grip. If you use ordinary scissors with silky fabrics it may take longer to get precise cuts and the material often slips out of place. The right kind of scissor will make acurate cuts and make a delicate job easier. The scissor you are looking for are serrated scissors, which are not the zig zag scissors!

• Pinking scissors (zig zag): serrated edged scissors are normally used to reduce fraying. You won’t want to use these on material that does not have seam margin as there is a very little wastage.

• Scissors for embroidery: The best embroidery scissors should be sharp, thin and pointed. In embroidery you need a thin pointed scissor to slip through and cut your thread. Often you’ll use them to cut through several stitches to make corrections and the ones we have recommended should work really well for you.

How To Prevent Your Scissors From Becoming Blunt?

Your scissor sharpness will be almost eternal if you use them solely for cutting fabric.

Do not ever use them for everything and anything.

If you use your sewing scissors for cutting paper, plastic bags, hair and other items your scissors will quickly become blunt. In our house, we hide our sewing scissors. You can mark yours however you wish to avoid them being used around the house.

1. Best Heavy Duty Dress Making Scissors On A Budget

Gingher 8-Inch Knife Edge Dressmaker’s Shears

• Made by: Gingher
• Colour: Silver
• Material: Alloy Steel
• Dimensions: 0.8 x 3.9 x 10 inches

The best scissors you can buy for all your dressmaking or sewing projects. These Italian scissors have a bent handle so your cloth can stay almost level with your table as you cut.

Cut through multiple layers of cloth without any stops. The blades will slice right through even if you are cutting through upholstery fabric. (Meanwhile, in case you want more cutting tools you can check out our guide on the best rotary cutters for fabrics and our guide on the best cutting mats for sewing and quilting here).

These scissors are more like a lifetime investment. If you purchase them once you most likely will not have to buy another pair of sewing shears again.

Pros

These are your best bet for all-in-one pair of scissors that will stay sharp if you take care of them. They come with a plastic cover for the blades. These are a perfect fit for small hands too. If you are looking for small scissors then the brand’s Kai, SINGER and Gingher make the 8-inch length scissors, they are perfect for people and youngsters with petite hands.

Yes, you can get them in longer sizes and the longer scissors are great for people with bigger hands. You can get them at these lengths:

• 8 inches
• 9 inches
• 10 inches

The prices vary according to the length.

Cons

They are a little heavy and the handle, though comfortable, is metal.

2. Best Complete Shears Set For Quilting And Sewing

SINGER Limited Edition Scissor Set, Black

• Made by: SINGER
• Colour: Black
• Dimensions: 9.25 x 5 x 1 inches
• In this set you will get:
  • Large sewing shears
  • small scissors
  • sewing snips
  • tweezer
  • floral zipper case

This shears sewing set comes with everything you need for sewing. I personally loved the tweezers for removing cut threads when making embroidery corrections.

It is a perfect sewing gift set for anyone interested in sewing. The entire set comes in a zipper case with the Singer logo and a floral print.

Pros

SINGER is a worldwide, renowned brand that makes quality products. You probably won’t need to buy another pair of sewing scissors again.

Cons

It is expensive and if you only want a pair of scissors then you may want to buy just a pair of scissors which would be a quarter of the cost.

3. Best Sewing Scissors For Arthritis

Kai 7230 9 Inch Professional Shears

• Made by: Kai
• Colour: Stainless Steel and Black
• Material: Stainless Steel
• Dimensions: 4 x 0.2 x 8.7 inches
• Weight: ‎4.8 ounces

This is a Japanese brand that makes the most reliable scissors and as a samurai sword, they are the lightest pair on the market. These scissors are your best buy for anyone with arthritic hands.

Pros

Super sharp and lightweight. They make a full cut, till the tip. The scissors can be sharp for years if you only use them solely for fabrics. They are as good as any other heavy-duty scissors and can slice through multiple layers of upholstery.

The handle is made for a comfortable grip.

These shears would do very well for small hands too.

Cons

I personally prefer my Singer and Gingher scissors because I like the weight in my hands. So the con here is a lack of weight.

4. Best Sewing Scissors For Left-Handed People

Gingher 01-005309 Knife Edge Bent Lefthanded 8 Inch Shears

• Made by: Gingher
• Colour: Silver
• Dimensions: 0.8 x 3.9 x 10 inches

These are wonderful scissors and they are made for left-handed people so enjoy.

I don’t need to repeat why this Italian brand is so good but rest assured if you purchase this pair of scissors you won’t need another pair.

5. Best Embroidery Scissors,

SINGER 4.5” Forged Embroidery Gold Plated, Stork Design Scissors, Titanium

• Colour: Gold and titanium
• Material: Titanium
• Made by: SINGER
• Blade material: Stainless Steel
• Dimensions: 6.2 x 3 x 0.2 inches

This pair of scissors is more for small precision snips. It is not at all a sewing scissor. Still, it is a stainless steel scissor that can be used for small sewing projects.

Pros

Great for embroidery and small seams.

Cons

Not a great scissor for cutting fabrics as it is too small.

6. Best Serrated Scissors For Delicate Slippery Fabrics

Havel’s 30212 Serrated Fabric Scissors

• Made by: Havel’s
• Colour: Pink handle and silver blades
• Material: Stainless Steel
• Dimensions: 11.25 x 0.75 x 4 inches

These scissors are the best buy for delicate and slippery fabrics. They have a finely serrated edge that makes cutting silky fabrics easier. These are also a great purchase if you are on a budget and have small hands.

Pros

A good buy for quilting, and cutting slippery fabrics. Great scissors for very little.

Cons

Not as heavy-duty and long-lasting as Gingher, Kai and SINGER.

7. Best Pinking Scissors

Gingher Pinking Shears

• Made by: Gingher
• Color: Silver
• Material: Stainless Steel
• Dimensions: 8.25 x 3.5 x 1 inches

Pinking shears are used to reduce fraying in your material. These are not a must-have for any beginner sewist. Still, if you are looking for pinking scissors you should be very satisfied with them.

I once had pinking scissors by another company which broke because the handle was made out of plastic. If you buy a pair of pinking scissors be sure to buy them with metal handles. Gingher makes full metal shears and that is why they are my first choice.

Final Thoughts

Buying sewing shears or as I like to call them, scissors should be a once in a lifetime purchase. Choose wisely. All these brands are reputable and long-lasting. The only time my SINGER scissors were partially spoilt was when someone used them to cut plastic.

As long as you use them on only fabrics they should remain sharp.

The price may vary and all of these scissors have different lengths so have a go and see what your next lifelong companion is going to be. Happy sewing.