Best sewing scissors

To make sure we always provide the latest information, this page was last updated on 1 July 2020. 

Best sewing scissors

If you have ever worked on a sewing project, you will know that scissors are an indispensable part of your sewing kit. This article will discuss fifteen of the best sewing scissors, providing information about which projects they are most suitable for, their user experience and the dimensions of their blades.

This article includes:

  • An explanation of what sewing scissors are and who would use them
  • The features you should look for when buying sewing scissors
  • How much different pairs of sewing scissors cost
  • A discussion of fifteen of the best sewing scissor options

What are sewing scissors?

There are actually many different kinds of sewing scissors including pinking shears, which have a serrated edge; embroidery snips, for cutting threads; and buttonhole scissors for opening buttonholes.

But this buying guide will focus on the all-purpose or crafting variety. They tend to have long blades and pointy tips.

These tools can be used for cutting a lot of materials including different fabrics, leather, vinyl and paper.

Table of Contents

Our Number 1, and best rated, best sewing scissor

Mr. Pen Fabric Scissors

Why we rate this the best sewing scissor

  • These fabric scissors have ergonomic handles to guarantee control when you are cutting curves in a fabric of any length or weight.

  • The sewing scissors offer a soft-grip ideal for precision cutting.

  • They are straight-edged rather than having the saw toothed edge of pinking shears. This means that they are the best sewing scissors when it comes to versatility. 

  • The blades of this scissor for fabric are as sharp as a knife edge and very well balanced.

  • These are heavy duty scissors. They are extremely sharp and they will cut through several layers of thicker or delicate fabrics.

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This is rated our best value for money best sewing scissor

Heavy Duty Scissors for Leather

What you need to know

  • These professional fabric scissors come lightly oiled to ensure durability. Sewers should wipe down the blades of these cutting tools with a clean cloth after use.

  • They are made of high carbon, making them stronger than stainless steel sewing scissors.

  • These would be a great gift for anyone who works on projects with heavy-duty fabrics like leather, burlap and canvas.

  • There’s no need to look for a pair of electric fabric scissors. Customers value how this pair sails through multiple layers of even the thickest fabrics.

  • If you suffer from arthritis, the rubberized grip means you don’t have to worry about tiring out your hands when cutting for a long time.

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The best of the rest

SINGER ProSeries Detail Scissors

What you need to know

  • These sewing scissors include a ‘nano tip’ which makes them perfect for detail work.

  • At just over four inches in length, they would make a fine pair of embroidery scissors.

  • The blades of these fabric scissors have been individually inspected and hand tested to make sure that users have the best cutting experience possible.

  • These scissors are great for intricate tasks like cutting ribbon or yarn for pom poms.

  • If you have arthritis, the soft handle means that your hands won’t hurt when cutting for long periods.

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ANGEI Sewing Scissors

What you need to know

  • These scissors are made of industrial strength steel. This means that they can contend with a number of pieces of fabric of almost any thickness.

  • Unlike stainless steel gingher scissors, they should be kept away from water. But a couple of drops of oil once or twice a year will ensure high quality blades.

  • The handle design is for right handed people. Strain should not be a problem because of their rubber covering. 

  • They are suitable for tougher types of sewing like leather or canvas projects. 

  • Customers report that the scissors go through fabric like butter.

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CINKCO Industrial Scissors

What you need to know

  • These are among the best sewing scissors for cutting multiple layers of fabric. They would be ideal for quilters.

  • The weight of the scissors provides an ideal cutting experience for heavier fabrics as the weight acts as a support.

  • This is a pair of quality scissors thanks to its knife edge blades. It is even able to cut through cord. 

  • For the optimum snipping experience, the scissors should be occasionally oiled to guard against rust.

  • The casual seamstress and professionals alike can take the hassle out of their needlework with these scissors.

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Homlynn Sewing Scissors

What you need to know

  • These high quality sewing scissors are made of high carbon rather than stainless steel.

  • Their tool steel grade means that they will retain their edge for a long time, longer than stainless steel scissors. 

  • They come with a bonus pair of yarn craft scissors that are extremely sharp and great for cutting fabrics/pieces of smaller sizes. 

  • Although they are not suitable for left handed users, they are soft and comfortable.

  • The sharp blades can be easily maintained with occasional oiling, making these scissors a long-term addition to your sewing kit.

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Nircsom Professional Scissors

What you need to know

  • Reviews for this product often describe them as among the best sewing scissors and shears. They are

  • For shorter cutting periods, the handle suits both left handed and right handed users. So this is a good pair if you are a lefty.

  • The blades cut through thick fabric with ease and precision. They are easy to use.

  • The razor edge also snips through thread and paper.

  • These scissors have the advantage of being suitable for beginners thanks to their comfortable user experience.

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Professional Dressmaking Scissors

What you need to know

  • These scissors are a good deal for those who engage in expert tailoring and crafts.

  • The U-shape finger holes means that your fingers will not be trapped at an uncomfortable angle when you hold them and you can pay attention to what matters: the cutting. 

  • These scissors will suit you no matter what cloth that you are using: silk, vinyl, denim etc.

  • Company advice is to wipe the oil from the blades before first use. And be careful not to pierce yourself on the sharp edges.

  • You will be able to work on your alterations with a high level of accuracy and minimal effort thanks to the ergonomic design.

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Fiskars The Original Orange Handled Scissors

What you need to know

  • With brands like scissors gingher on the market, these are some of the best scissors with stainless steel blades. 

  • They are lightweight sewing scissors making them comfortable for long cutting periods.

  • The sculpted handle means that these scissors won’t be a challenge for a beginner to cutting. They suit sewists of all levels and skills.

  • If you are looking for an 8 inch pair, these models have an 8 inch length.

  • They are a great addition for sewing kits as their size is suitable for details like buttonholes.

  • The blades of this scissor for sewing are extremely sharp and very well balanced.

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Evergreen Sewing Scissors

What you need to know

  • The scissors are weighted and balanced for good technique.

  • These are some of the best scissors for cutting fabric and trimming threads because they are comfortable and ergonomic.

  • The comfortable handle means that these scissors won’t be a challenge to use. They suit sewists of all levels and skills.

  • These high quality sewing scissors have a soft grip handle and very sharp blades.

  • They are a good pair of scissors and a sensible investment for those who make precision cuts.

  • These shears are dependable for the most important projects. Customers have used the shears for homemade wedding garments.

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SINGER Heavy Duty Bent Sewing Scissors

What you need to know

  • These dressmaking shears have been tempered and ground for increased sharpness

  • They have a bent handle and a soft grip making them a good choice for comfort. They are also suitable left handed people.

  • The blades of these sewing scissors have been individually inspected and hand tested to make sure that users have the best cutting experience possible.

  • These scissors are great to keep by your sewing machine for cutting through multiple layers of fabric.

  • These bent handle scissors are a sound purchase if you often work with thick fabrics like denim.

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Vintage European Style Scissors

What you need to know

  • These are some of the best fabric scissors and shears for finishing touches.

  • If you are looking for a pair of scissors for threads and yarn, this is a beautiful choice.

  • The blades of these scissors have been treated so that they resist abrasion.

  • They can be used for a range of sewing purposes, whether you are a professional tailor or are just doing some scrapbooking.

  • The handles have a gorgeous flower pattern that displays fine workmanship.

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Kai 7230 Professional Shears

What you need to know

  • These sewing scissors are made of industrial strength high carbon steel. This means that their blades will last for a long time and retain optimum sharpness.

  • Unlike stainless steel gingher scissors, they should be kept away from water. But some oiling maintenance once or twice a year will ensure high quality blades.

  • The handle design is for right handed people. Strain should not be a problem because of their rubber covering. 

  • This pair of scissors is suitable for tougher types of sewing e.g. with leather or multiple layers of a material.

  • Reviewers report that the scissors are better than both electric scissors for fabric or a Gingher scissor option.

  • While they do not come equipped with a customer repair toolkit, users report good results when taking these designs to professional scissor sharpeners for repair.

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TANSUNG Household Shears

What you need to know

  • These are some of the best fabric shears as they have ergonomic handles that prevent hand fatigue and pinching while you cut.

  • The softgrip scissors offer soft-grip handles that are ideal for comfort and precise cutting in sewing projects. Crafters are less likely to make mistakes.

  • This pair is very versatile. It can be used for dressmaking or the office.

  • The blades are as sharp as a knife and the scissors are comfortable to use.

  • These scissors work well whether you lay the fabric flat or hold it in your hand.

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Gold Tailor Scissors

What you need to know

  • Whether you use them as quilting scissors or dressmaking scissors, this pair is sure to add some glamour and durability to your sewing experience with its gold zinc alloy handle.

  • These sewing scissors have blades made out of stainless steel, which is excellent at resisting corrosion so they will stay sharp for longer.

  • The dressmaker scissors are ergonomically shaped for a positive user experience.

  • They have a one-year warranty so will see you through a protracted sewing project.

  • If you have big hands and struggle to find scissors that can accommodate your handspan, this will likely be a suitable option for you.

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Who would use sewing shears?

Pinking shears would be used by any sewist that needs to cut woven cloth. Cloth edges that are unfinished have a tendency to fray, which means that the weave starts to loosen and threads can be easily pulled out. 

When you use pinking shears, the sawtooth edge limits the length of the frayed thread and so minimizes the damage done to the fabric.

What features to look for when buying sewing scissors?

Ergonomic handle

An ergonomic handle is shaped to suit the form and shape of the human hand. It means that your cutting experience will be more comfortable and efficient as you are less likely to hold the scissors at an unnatural angle and experience aching.

Heavy duty

Heavy duty scissors tend to be bigger, heavier and able to stand up to thicker fabrics. These scissors will usually be able to cut more pieces of the paper or card used for drawing patterns at the same time.

Longevity

Some scissor brands offer a lifetime guarantee. Scissors can last a remarkably long time if they are well-maintained. This means that you should occasionally oil the blades if the metal calls for it.

It is a good idea to only use the tools for the materials they are intended for. For example, some sewing models become blunt if they are also used to cut paper as paper contains some abrasive minerals.

You can also help maintain these tools with a sharpener. LINK ARTICLE

What do cheap fabric scissors cost?

 Sewing scissors are quite an accessible tool, with many products available at modest prices. If you have a budget, you can spend as little as 5 dollars on a pair.

What do the best sewing scissors cost?

The best sewing scissors are available at a very reasonable price though professional dressmaking tools are a little more of an investment. The range extends between 5 and 50 dollars.

A useful video for you

Want to learn more? Well here is a useful video that provides you with more useful information when looking to make a purchase.

About the author

Helen Curran

Helen Curran

Helen has a passion for writing and published her first book when she was only 15 years old. Alongside her passion for writing she loves arts and crafts and spends much of her free time imagining things to make to make her home cost and beautiful. Helen loves combining her love of writing and crafts by writing reviews and helpful articles on topics related to sewing and knitting.

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