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What are the best scissors for this???? I am TERRIBLE at it and have decided that maybe it's time to get the right scissors......what are you favorite scissors for fussy cutting?
I do a lot of fussy cutting, and love my Cutterbee scissors. I've had them for several years, and they are still sharp.
When I first started cutting out my images, I did a lot of reading about tips for how to do it. There are some excellent tips out there. A couple that I find helpful are: turn the paper when you cut, not the scissors, and cut a little outside the line of your image, not right on it. I actually like to leave a little white border when I cut. It seems much more forgiving than trying to cut exactly on the lines.
Thanks - I am not sure what rubber scissors are - I have a pair of the Cutter Bee's already - guess the problem is more operator error than equipment issue! I know about moving the paper, not the scissors - I have tried the thin white border, but sometimes I miss and end up trimming it all off because I overdid it on one part! Maybe I just need practice!
Marvy Squishy scissors because the handles are squishy soft and don't hurt my thumb. They seem to be difficult to find but I just saw them on Amazon. Sorry, cannot get my cut and paste to work for the link.
__________________ Arlene, The Snorkeler
Last edited by arlenevita; 06-20-2015 at 09:16 PM..
Also, I agree with Arlene about the squishy handles being easy on the hands. However, I strongly prefer small, detail scissors for small, tight areas (my pair is by Judikins, like the ones shown in this link: Judikins DETAIL SCISSORS CTS11 at Simon Says STAMP!)
The video (I only watched the first few minutes ... it's almost 12-1/2 minutes long) mentioned that she uses the lighter of her usual cardstock choices. This makes sense because it is harder (and tiring) to trim heavyweight cardstock.
BathBelle has the right answer. Go to the embroidery section and find the right scissors for fussy cutting. For me it is not so much about the comfort but the neatness of the cut.
I'm with bugga in ok - Cutter bee are my go-to scissors for all trimming; my dexterity does vary with the weather and these have never failed me. 4 years old and still razor sharp! Always have a 2nd pair handy and make sure a 50% coupon is ready for a LSS price. I don't do well with embroidery scissors. Diane
Thanks - I am not sure what rubber scissors are - I have a pair of the Cutter Bee's already - guess the problem is more operator error than equipment issue! I know about moving the paper, not the scissors - I have tried the thin white border, but sometimes I miss and end up trimming it all off because I overdid it on one part! Maybe I just need practice!
I agree, Cathy. Practice is the key! Whatever we do, we always get better the more we do it. Think about basketball players shooting free shots over and over in practice, and golfers hitting buckets and buckets of balls.
Maybe stamp a page of images, and just practice cutting them out sometime while you are "watching" TV.
Here is a great video with some techniques from Papertrey's Make it Mondays:
I use the Martha Stewart medium blade length scissors. My friends give me a bad time about them because the blades are long. I learned when I was doing appliqu� that the longer blade is better because you aren't 'chewing' along image but just cutting. I do not have jagged edges when I use my MS scissors. I sometimes leave a narrow edges but oftentimes not - just depends on the images and the 'look' I want for the particular project. I also don't cut anything sticky with my MS scissors.
Good luck! I just takes practice regardless which scissor you use. Have heard others like the micro-serrated edge scissors because there is less chance of 'slippage' of the paper/fabric. I haven't tried any of those yet.
I was looking at those spring scissors too but haven't bought any new scissors yet. My cutterbees are fine with copy paper and SU whisper white, but for the colored paper or thicker stuff, they're not quite as crisp cutting. My watercolor paper is a bit thick, as is my mixed media vellum surface paper. I guess maybe I just shouldn't stamp those to be fussy cut.
Adding link to card featuring two closely trimmed snowflakes. I made at least 20 back in 2006 and am using the same pair of Judikins detail scissors many projects later (although I do usually cut away larger areas with different scissors).
Also, I agree with Arlene about the squishy handles being easy on the hands. However, I strongly prefer small, detail scissors for small, tight areas (my pair is by Judikins, like the ones shown in this link: Judikins DETAIL SCISSORS CTS11 at Simon Says STAMP!)
The video (I only watched the first few minutes ... it's almost 12-1/2 minutes long) mentioned that she uses the lighter of her usual cardstock choices. This makes sense because it is harder (and tiring) to trim heavyweight cardstock.
Adding link to card featuring two closely trimmed snowflakes. I made at least 20 back in 2006 and am using the same pair of Judikins detail scissors many projects later (although I do usually cut away larger areas with different scissors).
I have to have scissors where I can get my finger and thumb through the holes, I cannot use them with just the tips of my fingers. I don't like the serrated scissors as they give an almost perforated edge to the cut.
For other uses I hate the long Tim Holtz scissors with the squishy handles, I find them very difficult to use, I cannot get the pressure on for cutting through heavy material which is what I want to use them for.
When you are cutting into a V recess (like between two petals), cut into the V corner on both sides rather than attempting to make a turn in the recess.
After you trim an image at its edge, use a marker from the back of the image to color the edges you have cut. If you color from the front and slip your image could be ruined.
If you are cutting an image to have a plain border around the edges, draw lightly in pencil the line you want to cut along. It's easy enough to erase, and you are less likely to cut in too close to the image on a curve.
I want to thank ALL of your for your great advice. I have watched the videos and will use the tips you have suggested. I love this site!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jennifer McGuire recommends the scissors I have been using for years and they are truly the easiest on your hand and work great. They are the Fiskars precision tip and the have the spring in the middle of the blades and you don't have to put your fingers through any holes.
I love all the tips and especially Splitcoaststampers site. It is awesome. The tip with the pencil drawen around the image first gives a very professional look, so I'm choosing to try that one. Dies are wonderful but to have the exact one for every project gets to be expensive.
I use the old fashion curved cuticle sissors from the manicure section of the drug store. A bit harder to find now that clippers are the in thing for manicures. Cuts all card stock weights, pointed tips get into tight arears, and curved to get around those flowers, leaves and figures.
I have 2 sets that are my go-to for fussy cutting - the Cutterbee and a spring loaded set. My tips:
I draw a line about a 1/16" around the edge of the image and for some reason it keeps me close to the image outline
Rotate the piece not your scissors
If the area is too tight to easily cut - use your craft knife to join up with the areas cut with your scissors
If you are cutting an image with an outline and you're off a little, use a matching colored marker to go around the edge of the image. It hides where your cuts may not be even. I do this even if my cuts are perfect as I don't want to see the white core of the paper on the trimmed image. In the attached sample I originally stamped a different background and I didn't like it so I fussy cut the flower and put it on a different background. It's hard to tell that it's glued on because you can see the white core of the cutout flower.
I was taught to fussy cut by Lorie Jacobs from Touch of Embossing. Bless her soul, she is no longer with us. Anyway, she taught me to use a normal length blade scissor and to keep the blade cutting the full length and to pivot the item to be cut rather than turning the scissors. Roughly cutting out the image first to eliminate the bulk of your cuttings from getting in your way. My favorite scissors for this are ones from the Dollar Store but go for comfort in the handle for choosing a pair. The handles however should not be too bulky. Hope this helps someone, practicing helps.
I do a lot of fussy cutting, and love my Cutterbee scissors. I've had them for several years, and they are still sharp.
When I first started cutting out my images, I did a lot of reading about tips for how to do it. There are some excellent tips out there. A couple that I find helpful are: turn the paper when you cut, not the scissors, and cut a little outside the line of your image, not right on it. I actually like to leave a little white border when I cut. It seems much more forgiving than trying to cut exactly on the lines.
I too love my Cutter Bees. I have had them many years. I love the cover that keeps them safe too. One day I dropped them! Of course it bent the tip! Yikes! Of course that is a death nell for those blades. Well, my DH got out a metal file and got them back into working order!
I love the Cutter Bee scissors because of the sharp tip that allows me to cut into digital stamps that have sharp designs. I had to hide them from my hubby but finally bought him his own. He uses them (very carefully) for his mustache! Lol
If it's at all possible, check how the tip cuts. Many cut with a little "bobble" or extra "slit" at the tip and not a precise finish, KWIM? I think Cuterbee and SU! snips are good.
I watched a tutorial on Fussy Cutting and the main point I took away was to TRACE around your object first lightly with a pencil. Then you can erase or add what you don't like. Once you are happy with your outline, then cut.
If it's at all possible, check how the tip cuts. Many cut with a little "bobble" or extra "slit" at the tip and not a precise finish, KWIM? I think Cuterbee and SU! snips are good.
Yes, that's Why I love my Cutter Bee's they don't do that at the tips. I've tried others that when I take that last snip it tears the paper at the very end.
I love the Cutter Bee scissors because of the sharp tip that allows me to cut into digital stamps that have sharp designs. I had to hide them from my hubby but finally bought him his own. He uses them (very carefully) for his mustache! Lol
That made me laugh! Yes, scissors must be hidden.
I used to sew a lot when my kids were little. I was always hollering: "Put those down! Those are my sewing scissors!"
At least my Cutterbees are small and can be easily hidden.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
Those scissors are amazing; I have 3 pairs of the short version, and 3 pairs of the long version. I do most of my fussy cutting with the long version for 2 reasons: the spring action really saves your hand from cramping or tiredness, plus I get smoother cuts with the long blades, like someone stated because you're not using short, choppy strokes.
And I have to give a SHOUT-OUT to Fiskars Customer Service: One of the springs broke; they sent me new springs for all 6 pairs. I still have 5 of those.
And I'll add another tip: put a bit of rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth and clean your blades, being careful around the sharpest areas. The alcohol will quickly evaporate and not harm your scissors. This is the best way to get rid of "paper dust" which is what really seems to make your scissors dull, not the paper itself.
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
Nobody mentioned the "Kai" brand of scissors that Anna uses from Anna's Paper Creations. She is on the Graphic 45 Design Team and is really well known for her fussy cutting :p. Unfortunately the model she loves best is no longer sold by the company but they still sell a similar set of fine tip scissors, however, she says that they don't open and close and easily as the former version of that model that she owns even if she adds oil to it. Amazon sells all the Kai brand of scissors in case you want to check out everything they have to offer. Right now I use the small Stampin' Up! paper snips, they have a very nice fine tip. I also use manicure scissors that have an even finer small curved tip.
the fiskars spring scissors with micro tip are my absolute favorites for fussy cutting. Easy on the hands, super sharp and precise! I have two pairs and have been resisting the impulse to get a third ;-)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Copperkids
I have the ek success. Nonstick ones. They work really well.
The Judie's seem nice and good price!
Have been debating for months about the fiskars spring scissors - am adding link. Anyone have good / bad comments about the spring assist scissors??
I get teased about my fussy cutting and how others hate to do it..but seriously, I love to fussy cut and I'm really fast at it. I used to do a lot of decoupage and with all the scissors available, these are my ALL TIME FAVORITES. Made by Fiskars (the orange handled ones in the pic). They are little and have a slightly curved blade (super handy for curves!). The other secret to fussy cutting, is turn the paper..not the scissors.
I do appreciate your information about the 'orange' scissors and I'll look for them.
Like you, I love the fussy cutting and have just finished the cutting of Art Impressions mini font and backs 'reindeer' stamp. They were a challenge and I only cut off one of the antlers! :-D
Fussy cutting
