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Gingher or Wiss?

BellaGabriella | Posted in Equipment and Supplies on

Hi Everyone,

Gingher or Wiss? Which do you prefer for dressmaking? 7″ or 8″? I’m upgrading some of my sewing supplies as I am preparing to focus on babies / children’s couture, with a few exceptions for myself and daughter and teenage son, if he lets me.

Any comments on these or other brands would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Nancy

Replies

  1. jjgg | | #1

    Most but not all of my scissors are Ginghers, I have some that are KAI and others. I'm not sure the brand is really as important as the type.
    For cutting out fabric (that is when I'm not using a rotary cutter) I use a serrated edge shears. This grabs the fabric much better than a knife edge. When trimming bits of fabric I use a 5" 'embroidery' scissors, when snipping threads I use a tiny embroidery scissor. When cutting paper I use a paper scissors. All in all I must have over a dozen pairs of scissor (and can never find what I want!!LOL)

  2. SAAM | | #2

    I love my Ginghers. I bought my first pair more than 30 years ago and have only had them sharpened twice. They are wonderfully sharp and well-balanced. I bought a second pair recently because my daughter has started sewing with me. My only experience with Wiss was many years ago when I was a teenager; my mother had a decidedly dull pair, but I don't know if that was because they had been misused.

    Sherry

  3. NY2NZ | | #3

    Hi Nancy,

    Nancy here (smile).  I have both Gingher and Wiss.  The Wiss were my grandmothers and are about 80 years old now.  I've had them sharpened and take care of them so they are fab.  The Ginghers are knife edge and I use them too.

    With me, its a matter of what I am cutting out.  I like the Wiss ones cos they are heavy and I like having that behind me when I am cutting anything but lightweight fabrics.  I use the Ginghers for lightweights and delicate fabrics.

    I also use a rotary cutter.....but If I had to choose between which of the three, the Wiss would win hands down.  I just like the weight of them, the heft of them. 

    Its personal preference, and as you would test drive a sewing machine, test drive the scissors.  They are in an investment too.

    Good Luck

    1. BellaGabriella | | #4

      Decisions, decisions. I do own the Gingher applique scissors; unfortunately I don't do much applique but about 20 years ago I guess I wanted to and purchased them. I have used them for trimming one seam allowance narrower than another and they do cut smoothly, even at the tip, which to me, is important.

      Thanks for your inputs. I'm so excited! I'll probably buy them and be afraid to use them.

      Nancy

      1. sewornate | | #5

        I have Gingher shears now--probably one of each style!  I love them.  I used Wiss for many years.  I am sure if I bought new Wiss shears I would like them.  My old ones have been sharpened many times and probably have seen there better days, but they are still usable. 

        I have Gingher shears for knits, knife edge, embroidery shears I use for trimming threads etc., and the duck bill shear I love for doing heirloom sewing.  After my students try mine in a class,  they usually end up buying a pair.  However, not everyone has taken to them, so if you get a chance to use someone else's first, that would be a good idea.  That might be a good idea for all of the different kinds. Some fabric stores have them available for you to try.  

         

         

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