Having the right fabric scissors in your arsenal of sewing supplies is essential. Fabric scissors are designed to cut fabric and thread, and only fabric and thread. You might be familiar with the online memes and jokes about fabric scissors and their intended use vs. what our non-sewing family members try to use them! But, of course, that’s simply a guideline, but not the rule, depending on what type of scissors or cutting tool you purchase.
We’ve pulled these products together based on real customer reviews and personal preference in what we’ve used in our sewing studios. The following products are well-suited for many different sewing projects, so you’re bound to find something perfect for your own sewing and cutting style!
Many of these options are readily available at most online fabric shops and easily found in stores, too.
Quick Summary Of Our Recommendations:
- Best Overall – Gingher 8-Inch Knife Edge Dressmaker’s Shears
- Runner-up – JOAVANI Cordless Scissors
- For Extra Comfort – SINGER Fabric Scissors with Comfort Grip
- Best Heavy duty – Huhuhero Premium 8.7″ Titanium Super Sharp Scissors Heavy Duty Shears
- For Lefthanded Sewists and Quilters – 8-inch Fabric Shears Tula Pink Hardware Collection
- Best Dressmaking Shears- Gingher Pinking Shears
- Best Ergonomic- JISTL Green Pinking Shears
- For Sharp point – Gingher Inc Classic 4″ Embroidery Scissors
- Best Travel-friendly – Tula Pink Large Ring Micro Tip Scissor
- Stylish and Handy – Tula Pink 5″ Curved EZ Snip
- For Safety – Fiskars Rotary Cutter
- Efficient – OLFA 45mm Ergonomic Rotary Cutter
- User-friendly- Pink Power Electric Fabric Scissors
- Best for Applique Shapes – AccuQuilt Fabric Cutting Machines
- Smartphone-friendly – Cricut Cutting Machines
What to Consider When Choosing Fabric Scissors
1. Fabric or Fiber Type
Knowing what type of fabric or fiber you’re going to be cutting with your sewing scissors can really affect your decision on which good fabric scissors to purchase. You’ll be able to decide between sizes, blade types, and even what style of handle you’ll want to purchase, depending on if you’re cutting through thick fabrics or snipping tiny threads.
2. Intended Use
Intended use falls into a similar category of fabric or fiber type, but takes in the consideration of other types of projects outside of sewing. Most fabric scissors are not meant to be used for more than fabric. However, if you’re someone who wants to be able to use your scissors for more, you might want to consider other features that can make your scissors last longer.
3. Handle
Whichever fabric cutting scissors you choose to purchase, you should make sure that the handle is comfortable for you to use for long periods of time. If you suffer from arthritis of any variety, handling basic, hard scissor handles can be painful. So, you should consider choosing a pair of scissors with a “comfort grip”. Other styles of fabric scissors, such as embroidery snips, might offer larger finger grips than others in the same category, and some might have a completely different style of handle than traditional scissors, such as rotary cutters.
4. Left-handed vs Right-handed
Using the correct scissors for your dominant hand is not just about comfort while cutting. Since the handles of the scissors are oppositely oriented, the scissors might be angled the wrong way, making it more difficult to cut in a straight line. So, in order to cut your fabric accurately and comfortably, having the correct scissors is key. Not every style of fabric scissor is going to be designed with a dominant hand in mind, so you might not run into this issue, depending on the style of the cutting tool.
Best All-Purpose Scissors
Fabric scissors considered “all-purpose” don’t have a set intention like other more specialized fabric scissors. They’re made with moderate-grade metals and are decently sharp to be able to cut through light to medium-weight fabrics, but won’t be harmed if used on other soft fibers such as yarn.
1. SINGER Fabric Scissors with Comfort Grip
Singer has been producing quality sewing supplies and notions for years, making them one of the most reliable brands out there. These scissors are an excellent, well-rounded pair that can work with most types of fabrics for many different types of projects. In addition, this pair of scissors for cutting fabric is designed with a comfortable handle that’s soft and absorbs some shock, making them a great pair for anyone who might need that extra comfort. However, these scissors aren’t designed for heavy-duty cutting, so thicker fabrics such as leather, canvas, or denim might not be easily cut through with the Singer Fabric Scissors.
2. Huhuhero Premium 8.7″ Titanium Super Sharp Scissors Heavy Duty Shears
Heavy duty fabric scissors are a must if you’re working with thicker fabrics such as canvas, leather, or any other home décor fabrics. This pair of all purpose fabric scissors really are meant for all types of fabric and projects! These titanium shears also come with a comfortable grip, making them a great choice for those who will be using them over and over again or need that extra bit of comfort.
Best Dressmaking Shears
Dressmaking shears are designed in a slightly different way than your all-purpose fabric scissors. They typically have longer knives so you can cut with as few stopping points as possible. They’re high quality, made to be equally sharp throughout the entire blade for a crisp, clean cut. These shears for sewing are perfect for delicate fabrics as well as thicker fabrics such as denim or canvas. These shears can also be sharpened in order to retain their smooth, high-quality cut.
1. Gingher 8-Inch Knife Edge Dressmaker’s Shears
Perhaps some of the most well-known for being fantastic dressmaker’s shears, Gingher shears really live up to the hype. This set of shears are made from high-grade German steel that retains its integrity over time. They have a smooth cut through any type of fabric, from silk and organza to denim and canvas. The Gingher brand dressmaker shears have the ability to be sharpened, too, making your investment into these fabric shears absolutely worth it!
2. 8-inch Fabric Shears Tula Pink Hardware Collection
If you’re looking for a funky pair of dressmaking shears, the Tula Pink Hardware Collection has a gorgeous pair of shears for you! Not only are they made for right-handed crafters, but they have a Left-Handed option available for purchase. And the Tula Pink Hardware collection offers not only high-quality scissors, but they’re also incredibly stylish! They’re made from anodized German steel, so they’re made of tough materials and are truly durable fabric scissors.
Best Pinking Shears
Pinking shears are some of the easiest scissors to discern from the other types. They have a telltale set of teeth that create the zigzag effect. This effect works to keep fabrics from fraying over time. Pinking is an ideal option if you’re storing your fabrics of if you’re working with fabric that frays easily. That way, you can avoid the messy binding glue or unnecessary overlocking or overcasting.
1. Gingher Pinking Shears
With this particular pair of pinking shears, you’re going to get the same high quality that you’ve come to expect from Gingher. They’re made from the same German steel as their dressmaking shears, and have 7 1/2” blades, so you’re able to cut a decent length with each pass. The only downsides are that it’s more challenging to come by left-handed options, and they don’t offer a squishy, comfortable grip even though they are well shaped for some comfort.
2. JISTL Green Pinking Shears
Made with a comfortable grip, these 9” pinking shears are a great option, too! Their blades are a bit longer, so you’re able to cover more fabric with each pass of the scissors. The most significant flaw of this pair of pinking shears is that they’re made of slightly lower-quality metal, so they might not pass through the fabric with as much ease as other sewing pinking shears.
Best Embroidery Scissors
Embroidery scissors are tiny in comparison to other styles of fabric scissors. They’re meant to be used to trim thread tails close to the stitching so that they don’t pop out and fray as time goes on. They’re great for their titular role, but make great travel scissors for any sewing kit as they’re sharp enough to trim fabric on the fly, too!
1. Gingher Inc Classic 4″ Embroidery Scissors
Another great set of Gingher scissors, these 4” embroidery scissors are just as high quality as their other fabric cutting products. They’re made from the same German steel as the pinking shears and dressmaking shears and cut just as smoothly.
2. Tula Pink Large Ring Micro Tip Scissor
A favorite pair of small sewing scissors that are great for embroidery work is the Tula Pink Micro Tip scissors. They’re suitable for both right-handed and left-handed crafters. The tiny tips allow you to snip threads close to the fabric without worrying about cutting too much. They’re extra sharp, too, so you’re going to get a clean cut every time for a long time. This style of embroidery scissor is small and easily transportable, so they’re perfect for your traveling sewing or any other fiber arts kit!
3. Tula Pink 5″ Curved EZ Snip
Another option for embroidery scissors from Tula Pink is the curved EZ Snips. These snips are shaped for your hands comfortably so that you can easily navigate tight cutting threads. This pair of scissors is exceptionally sharp, so you should take care around them whether you’re using them or storing them somewhere.
Best Rotary Cutters
Rotary cutters are perfect for quilters and others looking to cut straight lines or use rulers. They feature a round blade that is perfect for cutting along a straight edge on a self-healing cutting mat. For a more in-depth look at some of the best rotary cutters on the market, you can check out a great comparison list here.
1. Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Easily available and from a well-known brand for creating good quality cutting tools, the Fiskars Rotary Cutter is a staple in most quilt and other fabric shops. One of our favorite features of this rotary cutter is the comfort grip that allows you to cut out your quilt pieces with ease. It also comes with a built-in safety lock so that you’re able to keep the sharp edges disengaged when not in use!
2. OLFA 45mm Ergonomic Rotary Cutter
The handle of this particular OLFA rotary cutter stands out against other, similarly sized rotary cutters. It has an ergonomic grip that’s comfortable to most, though how you engage the blade might make this rotary cutter uncomfortable for anyone who finds using a squeeze handle difficult to use.
Best Electric Scissors
Electric fabric scissors are great for saving time and for getting lovely clean cuts. Some are battery powered for ease of use while others are cord powered and don’t run out of juice. But all electric fabric scissors are fantastic for accessibility and for making one part of crafting that much faster and easier. We have a more detailed list of electric fabric cutters here where you can compare different styles and models.
1. Pink Power Electric Fabric Scissors
The Pink Power scissors are some of the highest rated electric fabric scissors out there. They come with two sets of blades, a rechargeable battery, and can power through any kind of fabric! That means that this set of fabric scissors are great for not only dressmaking, but especially for home décor projects that require heavier fabrics that might be too much for a regular pair of fabric scissors.
2. JOAVANI Cordless Scissors
The JOAVANI scissors are another fantastic choice as far as electric fabric scissors go. This pair has a great battery life because it comes with an extra battery included. That means that you won’t have to stop to charge your scissors in the middle of cutting out a pattern. Instead, you’ll be able to switch them out and always have one battery on the charger ready to go! They also come with two sets of blades so you’re always sure to have a clean cut.
Best Fabric Cutting Machines
Fabric cutting machines are designed to either cut large amounts of fabric simultaneously or help you cut out complex designs that might be difficult to achieve with any other type of cutting tool.
1. AccuQuilt Fabric Cutting Machines
AccuQuilt fabric cutting machines are fantastic options for anyone who quilts with specialized shapes or needs an accessible fabric cutting solution. You’ll have the ability to cut out complex designs such as Dresden plate petals, tumblers, and shapes perfect for applique just by running your fabric through the machine. AccuQuilt machines come in both electronic as well as those that work with a mechanical crank. Which one you choose depends on if you have easy access to electrical outlets in your sewing space or if you need something easier on your hands and arms. They also come in different sizes, from large for large fabric pieces to small and travel-sized! They’re not recommended for home décor or garments as they only cut out certain shapes in smaller sizes.
2. Cricut Cutting Machines
Originally designed for paper use, Cricut cutting machines are also well-suited for cutting fabric. Cricut machines are electronic, so you won’t have to worry about your hands as you work. The Cricut machines will help you to make quick work out of cutting complex shapes such as flowers. This is especially great for applique shapes for quilts! These machines aren’t good for dressmakers, though, as they only cut out small shapes.
Our Verdict
Truly an elite pair of shears, the Gingher 8-Inch Knife Edge Dressmaker’s Shears are a great option of sewing scissors! They have long blades, meaning you’ll get long, smooth cuts as you work, and can help you to cut out a pattern without unintentional jagged edges. They also have the ability to be sharpened in case they lose their edge over time, or they become nicked. They’re heavy duty, too, so they can navigate some thicker fabrics.
The JOAVANI Cordless Scissors would be our second choice. Not only are they heavy duty and able to be used on the thickest of fabrics as well as delicate, but they have the best battery life, considering that they come with a second battery that can live on the charger when not in use, so that you always have a battery fully charged. You won’t have to stop working when the battery drains!
Both of these options are fantastic fabric scissors, and we really think they’re great tools to have on hand for any kind of project.