Patchwork Underground

You’ve probably heard a LOT about Ginghers from other seamstresses. I’m going out on a limb here but I suspect they might have something of a cult following. My mother used them in her now-defunct sheepskin slipper business and many of the cutters at Fabric Depot here in Portland swear by them. You’ve probably also noticed that Ginghers are some of the most “high end” (read: expensive) scissors you can buy at the fabric store.  So, is the money and hype really worth it?

I wanted answers so I gave them a whirl. Two times over.  Behold, my new Ginghers Spring Action Dressmaker’s Shears in the locked position:

And my new Ginghers Pinking Shears:

As a thrifty lady who is not into buying unnecessary stuff, the thing that most appealed to me about Ginghers was the idea of forever scissors. Unlike cheaper scissors, Ginghers razor-sharp blades can be sharpened – either by a professional sharpener or by Ginghers themselves ($7.50 a pair) - again and again.

I sew lots, like many hours every day. So I wear scissors out fast. I’m all about having a dedicated pair of “fabric scissors” that I only use for fabric – no paper, no fusible, no nothing; just fabric. Even with this type of discipline my scissors end up dead eventually. The blades separate or get bowed slightly, they stop cleaving together like they used to, they start loosing their sharpness at the tip…and then in the middle…until finally you are just cutting at the way back part of the scissors…and then sooner or later they stop cutting altogether. Sound familiar? Dull dressmaking scissors are the pits and dull pinking shears are completely useless.

The good news is, I still haven’t made a dent in the razor sharpness of either the Ginghers Dressmakers’ or Pinking shears. I even grabbed the blade of the Dressmaker’s shears accidently one time and yes, it is RAZOR sharp.  Mmm…razors…

Also, I really like the weight and look of my new Ginghers. They feel good in my hand and fit my fingers well. It just feels like quality. They cut along the entire length of the blade every time, even with fiddley fabrics and heavy fabrics. Also, even non-sewers are super impressed by their shiny-ness and their over all sex appeal. When I invite friends into my sewing room, one of the first things they mention is my “fancy scissors.” (Then I brag about how they were made in Italy…and how fancy I am, WOW.

Before my Ginghers, I used a pair of Tonic scissors with a bent handle for cutting along fabric.  Here they are:

I liked these scissors a lot but I had concerns about the plastic handles – they are made of the jelly-type plastic and I was worried about phthalates. I have no evidence that these scissors contain that type of chemical and I have no evidence that they do not but they jelly handle seemed unnecessary either way. After a while, they started to dull and I switched scissors anyways.  With my Ginghers, I’m purdy darn sure we’re talking about 100% stainless steel.

Now for smaller pieces (like applique shapes) or for smaller jobs (like clipping into a round seam allowance or even trimming off stray threads) I definitely prefer the small needlework snips I just bought at Joann’s 50% sale.  They were only $2.50!  How could I resist?  Here’s a picture of them:

I wear them around my neck, laced to a long piece of ribbon. Believe it or not, I got this idea from Joan in the TV show, Mad Men. You know how she always sashays around the office halls with a pen on a string dangling from her neck?  So sexy!  My partner, Julia, is slightly disturbed about my “wearing a weapon around your neck,” as she puts it. (Total buzzkill - I thought I looked stunning!)  I might think about trying to make a sheath for it in the name of safety– maybe out of leather?  (Update: I just checked on the GIngher’s website and they have a similar pair and it comes with a nice leather sheath…darn it!)

In other news, the dress I was working on for the Lady Gaga concert is DONE!  Pics to come…