tkee

I prefer the first method, probably because my seam rippers aren't sharp enough. I have learned reading this thread that I need to add a lint roller to my sewing equipment and probably shouldn't consider a seam ripper a forever tool. Thanks for the help.

maviskw

I have seen someone do this, and have tried it myself. It really works slick.
Lift the top fabric gently; holding the bottom fabric down with the pinky of the other hand; just touch the stitches with the cutting blade. Your right hand is resting on the table and the cutter handle is on the table, too. It goes down into the stitches flat-wise, and you lift it up and down. After you get into the seam a ways, your right hand is on the bottom fabric and it gets easier.

DebraK

I do this with the scalpel. wonder why I never considered the rotary cutter. makes perfect sense.

michelleoc

I mutter and curse while using my seam ripper.

MargeD

I go along with Geri B. as I've used seam rippers and rotary cutters to "unsew" seams. Whatever works best at the time.

T.

I think it's faster. If the stitches are too small, I snip a few first, pull those out & turn the fabric over, pull the thread until it start getting tight, cut there, pull that thread out. When you turn over there's a long piece of thread to hold on & do it over again.

Amarillo19

I've tried it your new way and it does go faster but you have to be careful not to cut the fabric and it creates lots more tiny threads. A lint roller picks them up pretty easily though. I do it that way if I have a long seam to rip, otherwise I do it the old way of cutting a thread every 4 or 5 threads and pulling out the bobbin thread.

dc989

I seem to stretch the fabric less if I cut every few stitches the pull the bobbin thread. However my best reply would be I seem to use it too frequently on some days!!! LOL

MadQuilter

I also use both ways depending on the length of seam, weave of the fabric, and tightness of the stitches.

puzzler

At my last quilt retreat, we were all treated to the sound of buzzing electric shavers. Not mine, though I brought a flat thing, not the beard-trimming type. The flat one doesn't do seams. Most often, I still use the old methods.