Eyebrow Trimmers As Seam Rippers?

[Ricky T.]

I just read a post about using electric eyebrow trimmers to rip seams with short, tight stitches. Anyone else heard of this?

[Ricky T.]

I know that the electric mustach/sideburn clippers are used to take out machine embrodiery stitches. I got my DH's old pair but haven't tried it yet.

Sewbug :P

[Ricky T.]

I finally found my trimmer to try this out(had to pry out the really old AAA battery).....and low and behold it works! :!:
I almost threw the darn thing away because it hurts to use it!(can you say epliator?? :shock: )
You do have to pick out the little threads, but on a paper-pieced project that had really tight stitching I probably would have thrown the part away and started over. This tip will save me time and I will use it again.
Thanks![/quote]

[Ricky T.]

I found this tip online. I had sewn 64 blocks together and decided that I hated it. I got the trimmer out and had the whole thing ripped out in less than 30 minutes. Works great! An extra pair of hands helps to hold fabric taught but I just pinned one side to the design wall and ripped my blocks apart in no time flat. I am buying another trimmer for future reference. They do get dull when used a lot. This is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I hate to rip out seams and I am always making mistakes. This tip was the answer to my prayers.

[Ricky T.]

At risk of sounding really dumb - what the heck is an eyebrow trimmer??? And how could it work better than a seam ripper & not damage the fabric?

Jorja

[Ricky T.]

I have been searching for a similar product since learning of this neat little trick at a Billie Lauder paper piecing workshop. I think the trimmer/shaver Billie used looked something like this...eyebrow trimmer. It worked great for tight stitches like the ones used in paper piecing, or machine embroidery. I don't remember the one in the class being battery powered, but it must have been. Billie, who lives in California, told the class that this all came about because of the girls that completely shave their eyebrows off and pencil in new ones! Got her to thinking! It works great...I was her guinea pig on a boo boo of mine!

[Bev M.]

I also found out about this device (which she bought in 6-packs at the dollar store!!) from Billie. When I showed it at a class, one woman called it a mustache trimmer. Love it because it cuts only the thread, doesn't touch the fabric.

[Bev M.]

the girls that completely shave their eyebrows off and pencil in new ones!

Good grief, I thought that went out with Jean Harlow :shock: ! Whatever...

Thanks for that link, I have seen those critters on TV but never paid any attention. Will now, I hate frogging .

Jorja

[Bev M.]

:? hmmmm--I wonder if you put scotch tape on the back of the piece you are ripping out (you know, on the seam) then use your trimmer if you could get rid of all those little threads by just pulling the tape off? What do you think? I don't have one of those trimmers or I would try it myself. ritzy

[Barbara L.]

I have been using this trick for at least 6 years with much success. I learned about it in a workshop with Maureen Nobel. Trust me when I tell you that I have taken out an entire binding in about 10-15 minutes.

[Diana U.]

I have been using one for several years. I have had one accident where I cut the fabric. It happen on one where I had already pressed the seam to one side and hadn't pressed it flat again. It would have been fine if the flat fabric was on the bottom but the bent fabric was there and caught in the teeth.
Hope this makes sense. It sure did after I did it.

[Paula D.]

I didn't know there was such a thing. I'd like to know what to do about THINNING eyebrows! :shock:

[Myra U.]

I have never heard of them being used for that, but I have seen products that look VERY similar advertised for removing tight stitches (as in machine embroidery tight). They, however, are more expensive that this would be!

[Margo C.]

Yep! A good tool to have! I get mine from the local Walgreen's Drug store: http://www.walgreens.com/store/catal...sku=sku2171756

[Myra U.]

I thought Ricky was talking about the electric trimmers. Those that Margo posted the picture of are even cheaper! Boy, you would have to have a steady hand to use them! I was left with a tremor after thyroid cancer and subsequent surgery, so I'd have to have someone else do it or use the electric kind.