A quick slide deck made for a tutorial about making slide decks in Canva.

1. A Guide to
Sewing Scissors
M A K I N G S O M E T H I N G R A D

2. 01
DRESSMAKER’S
SHEARS
Shears are different from Scissors.
Shears are designed asymmetrically with
one handle having a smaller hole for the
thumb, and one a larger hole for multiple
fingers. This is more comfortable and
easier to control when cutting fabric.
Dressmaker’s shears are typically 8-9
inches.

3. 02
PINKING SHEARS
Pinking shears have a special serrated
edge that creates a zig-zag pattern. They
are used for finishing seams, as the zig-
zag prevents fabric from fraying. They
are a good choice if you don’t have a
serger. They are also useful for trimming
the edges of interfacing to prevent it
from showing on the right side of the
fabric, and clipping the curves of seams.

4. 03
EMBROIDERY
SCISSORS
These are small scissors for delicate
cutting or snipping threads. Typically
carried in a hand sewing kit, they can be
very decorative or plain. These are
scissors, not shears and have a
symmetrical handle.

5. 04
THREAD SNIPS
These are small, spring loaded scissors
made for clipping threads quickly while
machine sewing. The can have a small
handle for one finger on the bottom, or
none. They are also useful for clipping
yarn in knitting or crochet.

6. 05
APPLIQUE
SCISSORS
Applique scissors are made for trimming
layers of fabric. They have a unique,
“duck billed” shape on the bottom blade.
This protects the bottom layer of fabric
while trimming away the top of an
appliqued shape. They are also useful for
trimming seams and cutouts.

7. Scissors and shears are actually different. Scissors are made for all purpose
utility cutting. Shears are specifically made for fabric and heavier work.
Scissors are typically made of lighter aluminum, not steel. They also have
less durable fasteners holding the blades together. Scissors are
symmetrically shaped, both the finger holes and the blades.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
SCISSORS AND SHEARS?
06

8. Shears are asymmetrical. They have differently sized finger holes - one for
your thumb and one for multiple fingers. This enables you to grip them more
comfortably for long working times and also gives you more control when
cutting fabric. The handles of shears are also tilted, unlike scissors. This is to
make it easier on your wrist when cutting flat. Additionally, the blades of
shears are shaped differently. The bottom blade is heavier and has a dulled
tip so that you can slide it under fabric without snagging.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
SCISSORS AND SHEARS?
07

9. 08
CARE OF YOUR SHEARS AND
SCISSORS
Make sure to take care of your shears and they will last you a lifetime. Treat
them like the valuable tools that they are. Keep inexpensive scissors for your
paper and twine cutting needs around the house - your sewing scissors
should only be used to cut fabric. Never cut anything that might create a nick
in your blades.
You should take your shears to get sharpened and oiled regularly. It’s not
hard to find a local place that will sharpen shears, just search on Yelp. Never
try to sharpen your shears at home, unless you are trained. The special angle
of the blades requires a specialist and a specific sharpening tool.

10. Thank You!
www.makingsomethingrad.com
T H E E N D