Sew4Home Mini Tips – Janome Scissors!

JANOME SCISSORS AND SCISSOR SETS — Sew4Home Mini Review

9-Piece Janome Scissor Set, available in Canada from Janome Dealers

Pin. Cut. Sew. Broadly speaking, these are the main steps in a sewing project. We certainly can’t ignore: reading the instructions; measuring; remembering your long-lost techniques, and – of course – using the seam ripper to rip out a seam. But, pinning, cutting, and sewing are the triple crown events. Of these, we’d say the one that sometimes gets overlooked is cutting. It’s easy to just grab for the pair of scissors closest without considering if they’re sharp enough or even the right tool for the job.

In the S4H studios, we treat our scissors with the respect they deserve and we make sure we always have a variety from which to choose. Over the years, scissors from all the major brands have crossed our cutting table, but it was just recently that we had the opportunity to take a closer look at Janome brand scissors and scissor sets.

Below is a look at one of our favorite Janome specialty scissors as well as a scissor set that is perfect to expand your existing tools. Or, if you’re just starting out, consider this set as a must-have when building your sewing tool box.

4” Mini-Duckling Appliqué Scissors

Janome 4″ Mini-Duckling Applique Scissors are sew versatile – more then just applique!

We love appliqué at S4H, which means we know how important a precise trim is to the process. These small scissors are perfect for close detail work in traditional appliqué or in-the-hoop appliqué. The handles are off-set from the blades so your hands don’t get in the way of your work. You can slide just the blades in closer, keeping them nice and flat for a precision trim. And, those blades — wow! They are razor sharp. The duck bill side of the blade is ½” on these 4” scissors. Why is it rounded like that? It’s a safety measure that prevents you from cutting your stitches or the good part of your fabric. The retail price on this necessary tool is just $19.99. Once you have your own pair, you may want to check out a couple of our S4H appliqué projects, such as our Playful Owls Placemat Set and our French Market Tote.

Nine Piece Scissor Set

Janome 9-Piece Scissor Kit includes precision tweezers and a surgical seam ripper with extra blade.

I can already hear the gasps from the other side of the computer screen, “NINE pairs of scissors?! Why do I need nine pairs of scissors.” Well, just like that knife block in your kitchen that contains blades for carving, chopping, slicing, and more; you need the right scissor for the job when you’re sewing to make a project go more smoothly and finish more professionally.

This set is one of the most complete we’ve seen. With these nine tools, you’ll be ready to tackle any challenge. All the blades are non-corrosive, German-grade stainless steel. This high quality not only makes them strong and durable, they’re also easy to clean and care for. They arrive to you with razor sharp blades that will last through many, many projects; and, unlike cheap scissors, they can be professionally sharpened. You’ll get years of life from this set. The retail price from your participating Janome Canada Dealer is $279.99 – for all nine pieces! It’s a great deal for yourself or as a special gift.

We’ve summarized the kit contents below: (clockwise from the right)

9½” Tailor/Dressmaker Shears

With a bent profile and off-set angle, these are excellent for pattern cutting and other tabletop projects. The blades are sharp along their full length – all the way to the tip, giving a long, clean cut every time. The extra-large finger bow on the bottom handle allows you to insert several fingers for better leverage when cutting thick substrates.

6” Duck Bill Appliqué Scissors

The big sister of the Mini Duckling scissors described above. The paddle blade is still only ½” in width so no close-in precision is sacrificed, however, the longer length is a good option for larger appliqué projects, trimming stabilizer from the back of your machine embroidery or anytime you need a bit more reach.

4” Large-Ring Micro Tip Scissors – Curved

All the benefits of the straight micro tip scissors described below, but with curved blades to protect your fabric and thread from jabbing, stabbing, and snagging. For example, if you need to carefully tease out and snip a thread without worrying about damaging the surrounding threads or the underlying fabric, these scissors are just the ticket.

6” Double Curved Machine Embroidery Scissors

Originally designed for getting up and over machine embroidery hoops for precise trimming, we often use these scissors for standard sewing projects as well. The curved blades allow safe, controlled cuts with no snagging or gouging of the fabric. Perfect for long-arm quilting! The handle rings are nice and big so you can get your fingers in and out quickly and easily.

4½” Angled Tweezers

Though not technically “scissors” – the tweezer is definitely a cousin to your cutting tools. The fine pointed tips allow you to accurately grab and pick up fine items, like crystals, sequins or those pesky stray threads that always seems to appear at a project’s end. Use these tweezers in place of a stiletto.

4” Large-Ring Micro Tip Scissors – Straight

This specialty scissor came about at the request of sewing industry educators who wanted something super sharp, with fine tips, but also with large handle rings to eliminate the curse of “stuck fingers.” Voila! Use this tool for snipping tiny tight threads, poking through fabric to mark the position of a snap or grommet, even for cutting open buttonholes. You’ll turn to them again and again for sewing, quilting, embroidery, and appliqué… and if you want to share, they are also amazing for fly tying if there are any fishermen in your life.

Easy Glide Seam Ripper with Replacement Blade

Ripping out seams comes with the sewing territory. You may not think much about your trusty seam ripper, but just like any cutting tool, if the blade is dull, it will make the task harder than it needs to be. This ripper is surgically sharp, and it has a cool screw-lock handle so you can replace that blade. You get one replacement blade in the set and additional ones can be ordered.

5” Micro Serrated Curved EZ Snip

These little beauties have spring action that allows both left-handed and right-handed folks to use them with ease. They’re also a good choice for people with ailments that prevent them from using normal thread scissors. The fine, curved tips allow you to get under tight stitches, making them excellent for cutting jump stitches and snipping knots in needlework. Micro-serration on one blade allows for extra precision.

6” Straight Fabric Trimmers

A shorter blade in a straight configuration is a go-to choice when you want a controlled cut for fabric, stabilizers, and needle arts and crafts. As above with the Dressmaker Shears, these scissors are sharp the entire length of the blade. Those sharp points are good for trimming errant threads. 

Visit your participating Janome Canada Dealer to find out more about Janome Scissors, then get ready to Pin. CUT. Sew.