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Is there some reason I keep buying scissors? I just counted all of mine and I know that I have too many pairs. I will not admit to how many pairs that I have. Does anyone else have this problem?

I have a local friend with the same addiction . A bunch of us were at her house and had great fun counting the many pairs of scissors. It was a bit of a scavenger hunt through the house.

Oh. I didn't know that you could have too many pair of scissors. Same as shoes. Can you REALLY have too many?! Nah.

My mother owned two pair of scissors. One for paper and one for fabric. She sewed everyday for the public. I own her Ginghers now. I also own two more pair like them and too many other pair to fit in my scissor drawer. I have two stuffed drawers and bought another pair last week when they were 50% off. They deserve to be loved. Nowadays I can count my shoes on my fingers because I only wear ones that feel good. Remember: scissors deserve to be loved.

I have a few but not enough......

Hmmm,how many is enough? I need a pair of shears on the sewing machine, a pair at the ironing board, a pair on the cutting table, a pair of applique scissors in each of the baskets with an ongoing applique project, a small pair with each set of hand embroidery blocks, a pair at the hand quilting frame . . . and a couple of extra pairs for the times when I can't find any of these!

I need a pair of scissors to go with each pincushon, ironing board, chair in the livingroom by each of my three machines, a couple of extra ones for paper and at least two pair that I allow my dh to touch. Hmm that's only 15 and I know I have more than that. Guess you could say I am loaded for bear.

Gary asked me one day as I was picking up two pairs of scissors, 'Don't you have enough scissors?' Nooooooooo, I responded.

Ohhhh, and I still can't find one when I need one. lollll

Never enough, and when my husband questions the amount I ask how," many hammers and screwdrivers and wrenches do you have?" and that is usually the end of the discussion.

I don't throw my old ones away when I buy new ones but since they are really worn out, do they count??

Cannot have too many pairs, as long as you find them handy in places where one is apt to use them.

I have a good pair in nearly every room, including the basement rooms.

Used to buy the cheap ones, but they were just not worthy. Bought good ones (Fiskars, Wescott and such) and they are always sharp and seem to last forever if not abused. (Put old cheap ones in the garage to open fertilizer bags and such)

If one finds a good sale, buy several...as they are nearly always a welcome and useful gift item.

Oh my gosh...I never thought about this til you mentioned it! My house is Scissors Central!

I think the only rooms that don't have scissors are the living room & dining room. Kitchen has numerous pairs, both for cutting paper & cutting food. Family room has a few, because I open mail there or cut coupons/magazines there. Bathrooms all have pairs, either for grooming, or because you never know when you need to cut a tag or a string off clothing while getting dressed. Bedrooms all have scissors. Office room has scissors, of course. Laundry room, too. Garage has scissors that could cut anything from sheet metal to garden herbs!

And then there's the sewing room. Oh my gosh, I couldn't even begin to count. Are you going to snip a thread, pink a seam, or cut out a whole pattern? Because I can fix you up with any size scissors needed, in spades. I can even give you my Mundial buttonhole scissors if you need those. Are you doing paper crafts? Cutting decorative edges on cardstock? No problem! Let me find my craft scissors box for that! Or my old pair of pinking shears, because I never got rid of them when I got new ones. The handles are now marked "Paper" or "Fabric" so I don't confuse them.

If I need scissors while on the go, I have at least 2 pairs in my purse. Whenever I see little travel scissors that are new or innovative, I always get them. So I have all kinds of folding scissors & scissors with their tips covered.

Did you get into my car & discover a hanging thread on your jacket? Well, that's why I always have scissors in the car. In fact, I have a scrapbooking tote filled with ANYTHING you might need while out on the road, not just scissors.

Want to see my lovely collection of vintage & antique scissors? That's in my antique sewing box on the hearth. Someday, I'm going to mount those scissors and frame them. I have old scissors from wallpaper-cutting size to kindergarten blunt-tip size. Some were from my family & some were flea market finds.

Get the picture??? This house is very, very, VERY snippy!!

I am afraid to count them. I am a scissorholic.

At an AQS show, was walking by a scissor booth, commented to my friend that I was a scissorholic. Young man at the booth, rushed over and gave me a big hug. He said I was his new best friend.

Let's put it this way, my late Mother and Grandmothers usually had a dressmaker shears, pinking shears and an embroidery scissors (usually the stork ones). My faternal Grandmother may have had a short bladed pair. She cut her quilt pieces out with scissors. Guess my maternal Grandmother did too. My late Mother mostly did garment sewing. With 3 daughters wasn't much of an option not to sew for us.

Recently became a fan of Ginghers. First pair was a short, blunt pair to cut stablizers from machine embroidery. They looked so much like the grands' school scissors that I hid them from the boys. Needless to say, I didn't find them for a long time.

Anyone else have to threaten with extreme harm if anyone uses my sewing scissors instead of the designated utility/general use scissors?

quote:

Originally posted by Strings:
Anyone else have to threaten with extreme harm if anyone uses my sewing scissors instead of the designated utility/general use scissors?

Two places that DH & DS never venture...my purse & my sewing room. Both places intimidate them. So no, I don't have a problem with my sewing scissors being snitched. The men know that they can find scissors elsewhere much more easily. I do have my "good" sewing room scissors marked Fabric or Paper to warn myself, so I don't pick up the wrong ones. Another reason the guys don't go near those scissors -- that would require stopping & reading & THINKING!

Lol, StarrySky! Have to think. A good one.

The men in my house can find mine easier than they can find the ones that they didn't put back where they belonged after they used them.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Strings,

Many times I have scissors on hand, like Starry Sky mentioned. DD#2 realized at gymnastics the other day that she had some strings that needed trimming and said "do you have scissors with you". "Of course" was my reply and I pulled them out of my knitting bag and fixed her up. There were some people that turned around and probably thought I was a crazy woman carrying around full size scissors at the gym.

Oh well, I was happy to be prepared!

I, too, have too many scissors to count. I do have a good pair or two just for fabric and all my kids and grandkids know those are not to be touched!!! Years ago when I was doing counted x stitch, I had a pair of the fiscars childrens school scissors in every project bag. Wal-mart used to put those scissors on clearance shortly after school started and I picked up many a pair for 50 cents or a quarter. Can't have too many at that price!! I too have a pair of the folding kind in my purse. They have come in handy several times. I did buy a set of 3 pairs not too long ago that are still in the package. They were on sale, have purple handles, and just screamed at me to take them home.

.... how many are enough? Just one more pair ...

Buttonhole scissors???!?!! Now that's my excuse to shop Hancocks 50% off sale Labor Day! Years ago my helpful DD took a pair of my good scissors and trimmed the honeysuckle bushes! For a long time after I kept the handles padlocked with a bike lock. We have plenty of hedge trimmers but none as sharp or the right size/weight for little girls. We did go to the garden center and got short clippers for her use.

I keep thread piled everywhere in my sewing room. When DH looks in he just says, "You sure do have a lot of thread". He never sees the scissors.

I have to say...Yep, I have plenty of scissors too, even those for surgical purposes. Those were free, in an old car my son got for free, however I made him give it back,no insurance, no bill of sale, no I.D. of any kind, Minus the scissors..oh and no Drivers license!
Mean old Mother!!!
At least I could sleep at night........
nuquiltr

Scissors are my friends....:
I have several "Carry Along" bags with different ongoing projects in them. Each one has it's own pair of scissors.
I'm not telling how many bags I have ongoing right now.....
I also have a scissors caddy on my cutting table.
Not to mention the caddy right next to my sewing machine.....
and so on and etc. and you get the idea....
Scissors are my friends....Lots and Lots of friends....

quote:

Originally posted by EvelynB:
Buttonhole scissors???!?!! Now that's my excuse to shop Hancocks 50% off sale Labor Day!

Not sure you're going to find them there. I got mine in a notions store in NYC. I hadn't seen buttonhole scissors other than my mother's old pair, so when I saw them in that store, I snatched them up.

Google Mundial buttonhole scissors - maybe you can find them online. They have an adjustable screw that sets the length of the cut so you don't cut through the ends of the buttonhole. You can also use them to make slits in fabric or paper (if you let yourself use them on paper).


Who else here owns applique scissors? I've used them for trimming threads & batting & fabrics, even when not doing applique. There's something to look for at a Hancock's sale, if you don't already own those.

I have applique` scissors. Mudial, I think. May have to splurge on a pair of Gingher applique` ones.

Ok, now I feel deprived..have to go invest in some more scissors. Actually I have a decent supply of the 2 small sized Ginghers, etc., but only 1 or 2 pair of full-sized scissors. "I can fix that."

And we call ourselves Fabriholics and think that is our label. lolllll

I think the only room in my house that doesn't have its' own scissors is the bedroom but that is because it is so close to the bathroom and there is a couple pair in there.

I even have upstairs and downstairs rotary cutters. My fabrics are stored in the craft room in the basement but my work is done upstairs. Up and down cutting mats and rulers also. You just don't want to be somewhere and not have your tools handy when inspiration strikes.

Each craft category has several of their own scissors, and probably in the project bags. The only scissors I don't worry about having handy is the one in my sewing kit. It's attached. And you know the trick is, finding the sewing kit. lolllll

I like different scissors for every different job. I even keep 3 pairs in my gardening buckets so there's always a pair handy.

I have big seamstress, tiny Pelicans, different applique scissors, blunt tipped, mediums, small ones for using at the sewing machine, battery-powered set, 2 sizes of snipping bits, and even 3 pair of scissors in my kitchen flatware drawer (two for cutting paper and one for meats).
I don't think you can have too many scissors.

I had someone grab and use my good little sewing scissors on paper before I could protest. I screamed!! I made her buy me a replacement pair because they were wrecked. The others now are great paper scissors, but I still don't like any fabric scissors I have. grrrrrrr. Someone else did the same with my calligraphy supplies. I had to grab a pair of tiny sharp embroidery scissors from yet another no-sewer that was going to cut plastic tags with them.

So am I supposed to hide this stuff from people to keep it safe??? I keep stuff out on my desk to use...should I throw a towel over it when the doorbell rings???? Hubbs has it down, thank goodness....and he has "male refrigerator blindness", so he's always asking where things are, even if they've been in the same place for 22 years.

Humph...this is a sore subject for me...

When my girls were growing up they learned at a very young age that if they wanted to get into trouble just touch Mom's orange handled scissors. Now they are in their own places but have taught the grand kids not to touch Grandma's scissors. I have pairs they can use just NOT MY SCISSORS.

This is making me realize the assortment I have. I have many from my grandmother-pinking, dressmaker, buttonhole with the set-screw,set of 3 that came from Germany and wick trimmers for candles. They have a little box alongside the blade that catches the burnt wick and little legs that it stands on. Then there are the wall paper and my own collection. I have the vintage redhandled Fiskars, Wiss and Gingher that are left-handed!! I too have wallpaper shears..... (I ran out of fingers to count on)

piney

Thanks everyone for all the comments. It is nice to know that I am not alone, and that I have a support group.

They are like rotary cutters and seam rippers at my house, they keep multiplying!

I only have 2 large ones, (Ginghers,) steel one and my favorite the black plastic handled ones..my little scissors are the ones that keep multiplying!

Your not alone!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Fayejean: Does anyone else have this problem?

I think I do. I have two shoe boxes full. I think I just bought them when I had a coupon and did not find anything else to buy.

Quiltmaker

Oh no...I bought another pair of little scissors today. Anybody jealous?

I forgot to add the hair-cutting scissors. I bought one some years ago because I liked the color (turquoise) and a pair of blunt-edged for clipping the poodle I had at the time.

I also had two pair of hair scissors from my Dad who died in 1943. He used to cut hair for friends and was as good as a barber I was told. Would you believe that even after another 70 years since he left us (I cut the family hair for several years and now my own) those scissors are still nice and sharp? They made them really good back in the day when tools were works of art and made to last a lifetime....or two.

I think that's why I love best the Gingher brand scissors I have.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: quiltbea,

quiltbea...that pair your father had made me realize I've got scissors from a 96 year-old aunt, my MIL, my dad, and my mom I'd forgotten...on their second life-time with me and still sharp enough to pass on. WOW. a far cry from our plastic dealies now.

OH! I have the pair DMs oldest DB bought for her for home ec when she was in junior high. Some old fart did a pretty good job of trying to ruin them. He did ruin the pair of pinking shears DM gave me. Last time I trust a retired engineer - the petro-chemical kind - not a guy who runs a train.

I have absolutely no idea how many pairs I have they are all over the house. I do know I bought yet another pair yesterday at Joann's during the 50% off sale...just can't beat that. I love the Fiskars and keep misplacing them. I think that means I need to buy many more so that I can have a pair wherever I may be, right?

Didn't there used to be an article of clothing women wore attached to their skirts (150ish years ago) called a pocket or a huswif? contained scissors, needles, thread??? Maye we need tie-on pockets to hold this stuff so we don't lose it. Though I'm not going to be carrying my stapler around...

Maybe I need to buy more so I can keep up with all of you. I just have 3 pair, all with orange handles (Fiskars) ...they are a 2 pc set that was a gift from a sil,... nice shears & a tiny snip type pair. The 3rd is a pair of pinking shears that I just had to have one Christmas. I keep these 3 pr safely in a collector tin in my sewing room.

But I also have 3 pr of dollar shop scissors around in plain sight for others to use or for me when I am cutting paper.

...and DH has a pair of my discarded ones out in his garage so he won't need to come inside looking for a pair of mine.

I remember my sister was visiting me several years ago. We were in my sewing room with my grandson 7 my sis took a pc of paper, folded it up & tore away a few sections & opened it up to show him paper dolls holding hands. He was very impressed & thought it was so "cool" so she decides to show him how to cut an intricate snowflake. She folded the paper & reached on my desk & picked up scissors & was about to make a cut when grandson shreiks in sheer horror "NOT THOSE" they are Nan's fabric scissors!!! "You can't use them to cut paper!

They were back on to me so I didn't see till I turned around. Poor sis nearly had a heart attack & you should have seen the look on GSs face. Priceless. Big granma smile...Ahh, I've taught them well.

one in every room in the house and that's won't be enough because they will have a convention and all be in place.
I keep a pair near my sewing machine, I have some in an old silverware dealie from the dishwasher. In the last month or so, I made a travel sewing supply bag with scissors, eye glasses (cheaters) etc.
Then I have several small hand-sewing scissors.

Well if you don't have enough scissors already, I discovered last night where you can get some fantastic 7" long "Ever-Sharp" shears for 50 cents! In fact, the ad says that at this "sensational" price, you should get "several pairs for yourself and for friends." All you have to do is send the order form, plus 50 cents, plus 2 labels from Swift's household cleanser. But hurry, because the offer expires October 31!

Oh wait, that's October 31, 1948, because the ad was in the April 1948 "Woman's Day" magazine I was reading.

But look -- even back then, they were "enabling" us scissors hoarders to get several pairs!

quote:

Originally posted by nancyc20:
Didn't there used to be an article of clothing women wore attached to their skirts (150ish years ago) called a pocket or a huswif? contained scissors, needles, thread???

I know it as a "chatelaine."

Today, I'd need one for my cordless phone, too.

My younger DD keeps borrowing my scissors and forgetting to return them, so I can never have enough pairs. At least she only uses them for fabric/thread.

I have enough, plus a few more... Chris

... I asked DNSIL this morning .. he said 1 .. and I said 'that's what I said ..1 .... more" that's my story and I'm sticking to it ..

Found out today that I definitely do not hav enough scissors. I know I had at least 6 pair and today I could only find 3. I need the scissors that I cut paper with. Looked everywhere and cannot find them. I see more scissors in my future.

In addition to the usual fabric and paper cutting scissors, I also have: candle wick scissors; scissors to snip of the end of a cigar (although no one here smokes cigars!); grape scissors; button hole scissors and those Chinese scissors that will cut any/every thing! I'm sure I have more 'special' scissors, but haven't checked on them lately. And we all know that scissors do multiply when you're not looking.

I really NEED a huge pair of shears to hang on my sewing room wall. They don't even have to be sharp! LOL

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bluesnail,

.... oh dear... not good. A woman needs her scissors.. a quilting woman needs a lot more. The last time that question went out all I could think of was: 1 more .. well I ordered one more - with my gift certificate from Fabric.com that I won at COF BRANSON ... never had Ginghers before.