A good pair of sewing scissors is essential for any aspiring dressmaker or quilting enthusiast, or even just someone who enjoys sewing as a pastime. If you’ve ever tried to cut through pieces of fabric with regular scissors from the kitchen, you’ll know how difficult it can be. Sewing scissors are a lot stronger, and the best sewing scissors can glide through even the toughest of fabrics like a knife through butter. This review and buying guide will help you find the finest pair of sewing scissors to meet your needs.
Buying sewing scissors can seem quite overwhelming at first, as there are a lot of different options and quite a few factors to consider. For example, the material used for the blades can affect their sharpness and the materials they’re best designed to cut. There are also different types of sewing scissors, including electric models, scissors designed for those with arthritis, and shears made expressly with dressmaking in mind. We considered all of these factors and more when preparing this list and buying guide.
Our research included testing out multiple models of sewing scissors, reading through both expert critical and user reviews, investigating multiple brands and types of sewing scissors, and more, in order to reach a definitive verdict on the very best sewing scissors for you. Our findings are presented below, with an easy-to-read comparison table, followed by in-depth reviews of each pair of sewing scissors, and finally, a full buying guide telling you all you need to know
Extra features: professional scissors; carbon steel allows for a sharper and smoother cutting action
At the very top of our list, we have the Kai 7250 10 Inch Professional Shears. Easily the best professional sewing scissors money can buy right now, these scissors work like a dream, with a satisfying cutting action and immensely strong blades that can slice through any fabric or material you happen to be working with.
One of the strongest pairs of sewing scissors on the market, these Kai professional shears really do live up to their name, offering professional grade quality. They wouldn’t look out of place in the hands of an expert dressmaker, but are perfect for home use too, offering a comfortable grip and amazing results with every single snip.
The number one advantage of these sewing scissors is their carbon stainless steel construction. The quality of the material used for these blades really shines through as the scissors simply glide effortlessly through all kinds of materials, offering clean cuts without any issues. Made to last a long time, these Kai shears also offer a comfortable grip that will be just right for most hand sizes, you just have to be careful when using as the blades really are incredibly sharp.
The only other minor downside to these sewing scissors is their relatively high price when compared to some of the other models out there. However, if you want professional quality, you have to pay a professional premium, and since these scissors can last for many years if maintained properly and treated with care, we think they’re more than worth the extra cash.
Extra features: bent handle design to hold fabric flat while cutting
Gingher is one of the best brands in the dressmaking and sewing world, and these Ginger 8-inch Knife Edge Dressmaker’s Shears are some of the best quality sewing scissors you can buy right now. Featuring a classic design and stainless steel blades, they’re the sort of sewing scissors that have been used for generations and offer premium performance at a great price.
The blades on these Gingher shears are elegantly decorated with the brand’s logo and designed to provide impeccable cutting action and excellent results on a wide range of materials. As their name suggests, these shears were designed with dressmaking in mind, but they’re among the best scissors for sewing in general and can work well for a wide variety of tasks.
One of the unique selling points of these scissors is their bent handle design which aims to hold materials flat and in place for the smoothest and most precise cuts. This design works wonders, but it’s also worth noting that the handle is quite stiff and lacks any kind of soft padding or ergonomic features, so don’t expect these scissors to be super comfortable over extended periods of use.
These scissors are also slightly heavy, although this is mostly due to their excellent build quality and the strong materials used in their design, and can require regular sharpening to stay in peak condition. In short, they’re not perfect, but they’re definitely the best Gingher sewing scissors, so if you love this brand, this is the option to choose.
Extra features: SoftGrip handle for comfortable use; spring action design to prevent hand fatigue; lifetime warranty
If you’re looking for the best left handed sewing scissors or the perfect sewing scissors for arthritis, look no further than the Fiskars Titanium Easy Action Scissors. Fully designed with comfort and ergonomics in mind, these scissors have actually won awards for their design, being honored with the ‘Ease-of-Use Commendation’ by the Arthritis Foundation.
So what sets these scissors apart? Well, this particular model features an ‘Easy Action’ spring-based design that makes snipping easier and more comfortable than before; the spring works by gently opening the blades after each cut to cut down on hand strain. Plus, the ‘Softgrip’ handle is perfectly formed with comfort in mind, so these scissors really are ideal if you care about comfort above all else.
These Fiskar scissors are also among the best sewing scissors for small hands due to their neatly-designed handle, but it’s worth noting that the unique handle shape and form can take a little getting used to. Many users have revealed that they needed some time to get to grips with these scissors, but the vast majority fell in love with them in the end.
The only other minor flaw to mention with these scissors is that the titanium blades lack just a little sharpness when compared to the models seen above, but they’re still exceptionally sharp and breeze through most materials like a warm knife through butter. Overall, a highly impressive set of sewing scissors that can last many years.
Extra features: comfort grip handles; lifetime guarantee
Last but not least, we come to our ‘Budget Pick’, the Singer Sewing Scissors Bundle. Why buy just one pair of sewing scissors when you can get a whole set for a great price? If you want to save money and get a super deal on sewing scissors, this bundle is definitely worth a look, offering a lot of multifunctional ability for a bargain price.
This Singe bundler comes complete with an 8 1/2 inch pair of Heavy Duty Scissors, a 4 1/2 inch pair of ProSeries Detail Scissors, and a set of ProSeries Thread Snips. Each of these items has its own users, with the Heavy Duty scissors ideal for snipping through tough fabrics and the Thread Snips perfect for getting rid of those odd little threads and frays.
All of these Singer sewing scissors are fitted with comfort grip handles that have been ergonomically designed to offer nice levels of comfort to the user, but your mileage will vary depending on the size of your hands and your manner of cutting. The padded grips are nice, but the small size can be a problem for some users.
These scissors, as a budget option, also lack a little of the same smoothness and power we’ve seen in other models on the list. Overall though, this is a top quality bundle with a lot to offer. The individual items are all built with high quality materials and can last a long time, and the immense value of this bundle cannot be understated.
Extra features: comes with charger, lithium ion battery and 2 different blades; features an ergonomic handle; 1-year warranty
Next up, we have the Pink Power Electric Fabric Scissors. The only electric model on our list, these scissors are the perfect option for anyone who appreciates the added advantages that electric power and modern technology can provide. Very easy to use, the Pink Power scissors come complete with two different blades, one for paper and fabric, the other for cardboard and metal.
It’s really easy to change the blades around, and ease-of-use is definitely one of the highlights of this particular model. It features a locking power switch, so you simply lock the switch down and let the scissors run, removing the need to have hold the button down all the time. Designed to cut through all kinds of materials, these Pink Power scissors offer a lot of powerful potential.
The ergonomic design of these electric scissors also makes them a nice option for those with arthritis or those who suffer from hand strains or fatigue easily. The cordless design and removable rechargeable battery add even more appeal to this model, but the fact that you do have to recharge the battery every 1-2 hours can become a little frustrating.
It’s also worth noting that, just like many other electric sewing scissors, these Pink Power scissors can get a little loud when in use. This won’t be a major downside to everyone, but it’s worth noting if you prefer to sew or quilt in peace and quiet. Overall though, this is one of our favorite options and definitely the best electric sewing scissors available today.
As we can see, finding the right set of sewing scissors can seem like a bit of a challenge at first, with a lot of different models, brands, materials, sizes, and more to consider. But it’s essential to get the right pair of scissors to do the job, as the best scissors really can make everything, from sewing to quilting, a whole lot easier. Read on to learn all about what to look for in your sewing scissors and how to choose the right pair for you.
The reasons to get a pair of super sewing scissors are clear to see:
There are several different features and aspects to think about when choosing the right pair of sewing scissors. See below for info on each of these aspects and be sure to consider all of these features and how important they are to you when shopping for sewing scissors.
The first thing to ask yourself when shopping for sewing scissors is what you’re actually going to be using them for. There are various types of sewing scissors out there and different models can be better-suited for different purposes. Some scissors are designed with dressmaking in mind, for example, like the Gingher 8-Inch Knife Edge Dressmaker’s Shears. Others are better-equipped with sewing, quilting, or embroidering, with the Thread Snips in the Singer bundle being perfect for embroidery.
A big factor in determining the quality of any pair of sewing scissors is the sharpness of the blades and the material they’re made from. High quality materials like carbon stainless steel, as seen in the Kai 7250 10 Inch Professional Shears, provide sharper and stronger scissors for smooth, precise cuts in even the toughest of fabrics.
If you enjoy sewing, quilting, and similar activities, you’re going to spend a lot of time using these scissors, so you need them to feel right in your hand.
Spending too long with an uncomfortable set of scissors can cause hand fatigue, strain, and aches. This is especially true for those with arthritis or quite weak or small hands in general.
Any left-handed people out there will know that finding a good pair of scissors is always a little more difficult than it would be for a right-handed person. The position of the blades and style of the handle can make it harder for left-handed people to use certain models, so if you are left-handed, you’ll need to do your research to find a set of scissors that can work for you. Make sure you check that the model you’ve chosen is suitable for left-handed use before you buy.
Want to make sure your sewing scissors go the distance and last a long time? Follow these tips:
Overall, the Kai 7250 10 Inch Professional Shears were our top pick. They’re a little more expensive than other models, but they more than justify their price tag with comfortable hands and astonishingly strong blades that really can cut through anything, making them the ideal all-round pair of professional sewing scissors.
Next up, we had the Gingher 8-Inch Knife Edge Dressmaker’s Shears. These high-quality shears are perfect for dressmaking, featuring a bent handle design for easier cutting. Plus, the bent handle design helps you hold materials flat and in place for the smoothest and most precise cuts.
Our third top pick for the best sewing scissors was the Fiskars Titanium Easy Action Scissors. We loved the way these scissors had been made with arthritis sufferers in mind, and every element of this Fiskars design has been carefully considered to provide maximum comfort every time.
We hope you found your option among the best sewing scissors!
