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LEARNING CENTER
CONTENTS
Tools & Techniques
What Makes These Electric Scissors Different?
The Whys and Hows of Prewashing Fabric
Basic Tools and Notions for a New Quilter
Member
BBB Online
WHAT MAKES THESE ELECTRIC SCISSORS DIFFERENT?
by Anne Brennan
In the olden
days—the 1960s and '70s, before rotary cutters were invented—cutting out
garment patterns and patchwork pieces was laborious and time consuming. I remember
putting off many sewing projects because I couldn't face the thought of cutting them
out.
In 1980 I bought a pair of cordless electric scissors and rushed home to try them. I found them hard to control, hard to position under and over the fabric, and hard on the index finger. They jammed easily and wouldn't cut through even medium-weight fabrics. Sometimes they quit for no apparent reason. After a frustrating half-hour, I threw them into the back of a drawer, where as far as I know they still languish.
I'm told my experience with these pre-computer-age electric scissors was not unique. Luckily, rotary cutters came along shortly afterwards and made sewing and quilting a lot more fun.
Then, early in 2000, I saw a new pair of electric scissors demonstrated at the Hobby Industries of America trade show. Marketed by Prym Dritz, these scissors were ergonomically shaped and painted a distinctive black and gray, making them look like a little salmon with exceptionally sharp teeth. "Try them," said Prym Dritz rep Diane Giancola, handing them to me. "Go ahead and cut this faux chenille."
Diane had five or six layers of fabric topped by a tissue-paper chenille pattern and stitched in parallel rows. Dubiously (though I didn't let on), I inserted the lower blade into the channel between two rows, just above the bottom layer. I held my breath, pulled the trigger, and started cutting along the channel. Wow! These were smooth, easy to maneuver, and comfortable to hold! They cut like a dream, straight and even! I, who had never before made mock chenille, cut a perfect slash in those layered fabrics and paper.
I was sold on these scissors, and couldn't wait for them to become available to consumers. Finally, this fall, they're in stores, including the SewAndQuilt.com Shopping Center.
I love the new Prym Dritz electric scissors because they never jam, even if you cut enough chenille for a whole garment. Their short points make them easy to maneuver around corners—perfect for wavy or zigzag chenille channels, which can be difficult to cut with other tools. They come with both a rechargeable battery and an AC adapter, so I can use them wherever I like, and I never have to hunt for batteries. When cutting out garments, I can even attach the special shoe foot, to hold the paper pattern against my fabric.
Though I love my rotary cutters, I'm going to use the new Prym Dritz electric scissors a lot. If that prehistoric pair ever shows up again, I'll use it to deadhead the flowers in my garden.
Want to purchase your own pair of Prym Dritz electric scissors?