How to Hold Scissors to Reduce Hand Fatigue
Stacy GrissomDescription
While rotary cutters and rulers can be very efficient when it comes to cutting fabric, they aren’t always the easiest to use for certain shapes. In this sewing video, Stacy Grissom shares several tips for how to hold scissors and use them in a way that can help reduce hand fatigue and pain associated with prolonged cutting.
Help Your Hands
When it comes to using scissors, a common problem is that many sewers simply hold the scissors too tight. Stacy demonstrates how a looser grip on the scissors, or even holding the scissors with fewer fingers, can help fight hand fatigue. Another tip that can also help eliminate hand fatigue and pain is to open and close the scissors using only your thumb while the rest of your hand stays relaxed. This is a smaller movement using fewer muscles that can help keep you cutting longer.
Related Article: Tips for Using Sewing Scissors and Snips
Sharp Scissors
Even though knowing how to hold scissors can help eliminate hand fatigue, your scissors themselves as well as your cutting technique play a large role. It is always important to use sharp sewing scissors on fabric, and preferably scissors that are only used on fabric and not dulled by other materials like paper. Sharp scissors make cutting through fabric easier and requires less force from your hands to make the blades go through the fabric. Stacy demonstrates proper cutting techniques, which includes using the full length of the scissor blade to cut the fabric rather than lots of little cuts.
Ergonomics
Along with learning how to hold scissors and use proper cutting technique, having a pair of ergonomic scissors can also help your hands. Many different companies have ergonomic scissors that include features like padded handles, spring-loaded blades, and contoured grips. It is important to find a pair of scissors that fits your hand comfortably and is easy to use, so if possible, try holding the scissors prior to purchasing them.
Honestly, I hate cutting things out with scissors. I almost always use my rotary cutter for everything, but I was doing a project the other day where I was cutting out circles, lots and lots of circles. The rotary cutter really doesn't work well for that. So I had to use my scissors. About three circles in, my hand was just killing me. I have a couple of friends who are occupational therapists and they were over for dinner, and I was complaining about my hand, and they made some points that I should really pay attention to the way I cut. So this is how I would normally cut. I grip the scissors really hard, I have all my fingers in, and then my hand hurts for days. So I started trying to be a little more thoughtful about cutting. So I found if I put my index finger out and I really loosen my grip on the scissors, I don't have nearly as many issues. It also helps if you let the scissors go all the way to the point and then start again. That way you get a nice smooth cut instead of a bunch of little chops, so you're moving your hand a little bit less. You've got to let the scissors work for you. So it's also really important to make sure that your scissors are nice and sharp. So you want to have your fabric scissors that never get used for paper or anything else. And it's always a good idea to have your scissors sharpened every year or two, depending on how much you use them. If you're a little more thoughtful about how you use your scissors, that will save your hand a lot.
Good to think of ergonomics with scissors,chair height/lumbar posture and sewing table height. Unfortunately if one has OA (arthritis) at the base of thumb, even this with aggravate it. Icing that area after use will help.
Hi, The problem is that these scissors are too small for your hand, as you need a larger space for all of your fingers to fit in comfortably. Secondly, for dressmaking for example, you wouldn't be holding your fabric in your hand but would have it laid flat on a table, and leaving even just one finger out of the correct hole would result in the scissors not being able to lie flat on the table and hence you would loose a lot of stability. I do agree that you should use long cuts, right to the tip of the blades though.
I, really like things so far?