How to Sharpen Sewing Scissors
Many types of sewing scissors are used to provide clean cuts in various sewing fabrics. An excellent sewing tool, fabric scissors become worn and dull over time, requiring resharpening to deliver quality and precision cuts. Learn the techniques of how to sharpen industrial scissors for sewing applications, understand how to maintain and take care of your sewing scissors, and discover high-quality Belmont brand sewing scissors for your next project.
Diamond Needle is a trusted supplier of sewing components, tools, and accessories, including high-quality Belmont fabric scissors.
Techniques for Sharpening Dull Sewing Scissors
When your sewing scissors become dull or worn, sharpening them can maintain their quality for extended longevity. There are a range of techniques for sharpening fabric scissors, all of which can revitalize dull sewing blades for different types of fabric scissors but require correct use or risk potential damage. Among the various sharpening methods, there are options for professional sharpening tools and everyday household materials, providing solutions for an array of skill sets. Sharpening fabric scissors can be done in the following ways:Sharpening Stone
Featuring a coarse and fine grit element, sharpening stones, also known as whetstones, are an excellent tool for sharpening scissors. The surface of the stone should be lubricated with water or honing oil, and sewing scissors should be disassembled to provide the highest quality sharpening. Starting with the coarse grit, use light pressure to move the blade along the length of the stone, then use the fine grit to buff away imperfections left behind by the coarse side.Using Sandpaper
Rough-cutting sewing scissors can be easily sharpened using sandpaper with a fine grit between 180 and 220-count. First, fold the sandpaper in half so both sides have grit. Then, begin making cuts along the sandpaper to sharpen worn-out fabric scissors. Each cut sharpens the scissor blades. This sharpening method minimizes the risk of indents and nicks in high-quality sewing scissors while providing a fast and easy way to sharpen industrial scissors.Aluminum Foil or Steel Wool
Similar to the sandpaper method, common household items like aluminum foil and steel wool can be used to sharpen fabric scissors. Cutting through the aluminum foil or steel wool pad will resharpen dull sewing scissors for reinvigorated precision cuts. Once finished, clean off the blades and test the sharpness.Trying a Knife Sharpener
An easy, at-home solution for how to sharpen sewing scissors is using a knife sharpener. In this method, each blade can be treated separately or resharpened while still adjoined. Using a dragging motion, grind each blade against the knife sharpener, which should only need about ten passes. Knife sharpeners are a fast and simple method for resharpening dulled fabric scissors.Sewing Pins & Needles
A slightly more challenging technique, sewing pins and needles can provide a quick sharpening solution in a pinch. Position the scissors so the blades hold the sewing pin between them, then slowly compress the handle so the blades shift across the pin. The pins may shift towards the top, but reposition them and continue the cutting motion until the blades are adequately sharpened.Take Them to a Professional
Perhaps the safest method to sharpen industrial scissors is to take the worn-out scissors to a professional. There are a variety of online and by-mail professionals available to sharpen sewing scissors. You can also research local sharpeners, which may be able to provide a higher quality or longer-lasting sharpening than at-home methods. Trusting a professional with sharpening fabric scissors is a great way to minimize risk but may have more of a cost association.Maintaining & Taking Care of Sewing Scissors
Your sewing scissors are essential to your toolkit, and maintaining them should be a priority. Most debris on scissors can be removed using water and dish soap, and proper storage can include sheathes or boxes they arrive in or safely, along with other sewing implements. It is crucial to remember that fabric scissors should not be used for any purpose other than the intended use, as that will deteriorate their sharpness faster or damage them.How Often Should Sewing Scissors Be Sharpened?
To enhance the lifespan of your scissors, routine sharpening should be done about twice a year. Even with high-quality blades, fabric scissors require sharpening for suitable performance. Using at-home methods makes sharpening fabric scissors simple and easy to access whenever needed. Any of the techniques above will work, but some have more risk for damage than others, and when in doubt, trust a professional to sharpen your sewing scissors.Diamond Needle is a trusted supplier of sewing components, tools, and accessories, including high-quality Belmont fabric scissors.