10 Fussy Cutting Tips

This video is in response to a question we received on the Premium Membership Site asking for fussy cutting tips. In this video, we discuss features of the scissors (and tools) we like best & why, a cutting technique that helps reduce hand fatigue, and a few helpful ideas for cutting out difficult areas. Hopefully you'll learn something you didn't already know, that you can put in to practice in your crafting!
Collage Sheets / Images Used: The Graphics Fairy's Premium Membership site (members.thegraphicsfairy.com/)
Scissors: I like Fiskars 8" titanium coated steel scissors a lot (you may find other brands you prefer, but the longer, steel blades, I've found are key)
Time: For reference, the examples shown in the video took me around 1 1/2 to 2 minutes for each fussy cut (though some people may be much faster!)
Thanks for watching!

[@MaryMadeAJournal]

Great video...TFS! I see from previous comments that you like the white border. I guess I always thought that the point of fussy cutting was to eliminate all the white, and then touch up any small bit of remaining white with an appropriate ink. It’s a personal preference thing I suppose. Would you care to share why you prefer the borders? Again thanks for all the tips..not cutting to the tip of the scissors is an eye opener! 💕

[@anniechapman3912]

AWESOME tips! Thank you!😊

[@jenelle6132]

I'm glad I found this video. Thank you so much for the techniques!! I'm fairly new to the paper play, but I'm a sewer so I've fussy cut fabric. You've given me so many ideas of using patterned paper!! One tip though, some of the times when you were cutting, you were totally out of the frame.... Also, some fun royalty free music could work when you're silent and the video is sped up a bit. (My brother works in the business and he happened to see me watching this video, so those are his critiques) 😊

[@lynnmiller8548]

I love the explanation you gave. Your description and demonstration was excellent. Thank you for sharing

[@criseastman6503]

Thank you so much! I learned tons from your video. I have always loved Graphics Fairy and just discovered that you have a KZbin presence. Your tips were very thoughtful and useful ❤️

[@kelliroditis4948]

Thanks for this video showing all the tricks and tips to make fussy cutting easier. I learned a lot - especially about changing the cutting direction when using cuticle scissors- I would never have thought of that

[@sallydhondt3974]

Helpful tips, thank you!

[@thegraphicsfairy]

You're so welcome!

[@sandravargas4426]

Very helpful! Thank you 🙏

[@dscritter614]

Wow! You're really good. Thx 4 the helpful tips.

[@Maggita2015]

Thank you so much 😊 I love the way your fussy cutting is done. I do this all the time, but your tips will be certainly welcome 😉

[@cathydempsey5297]

A + cutting skills...and THANKS for the tips!

[@JessicaGerald81]

Thank you!

[@MissDaisyParsley]

Thank you for all the tips and tricks to fussy cutting!

[@thegraphicsfairy]

Thank you for watching, you're very welcome!

[@cathyweathers5242]

Such great tips, I'm a beginner and it was very helpful. Thanks!

[@thegraphicsfairy]

Great, thank you! We were hoping to provide some easy, quick tips for you!😊

[@suzannesutton6337]

I learned A LOT from watching this video. Thank you so much - ALL the tips were ones that I needed to know. I also saw that you left a small white border and that was so helpful to me as well. The scissors were important to me, and the cuticle scissors - all an eye opener. Again - thanks.💕❣

[@thegraphicsfairy]

So pleased you found this helpful...happy cutting!

[@AuntieLissi]

Thank you for the inspiration and ideas. 😍❤️

[@thegraphicsfairy]

Thank you for watching! 😊

[@sjmats3]

Thank you for the great tips!

[@thegraphicsfairy]

You're very welcome, thanks for watching!

[@beckysavino1]

Thank you for making this video. I have been trying to get better at FC and while I do find it relaxing it can also be frustrating. I never thought of cuticle scissors for this task!

[@thegraphicsfairy]

I find they're helpful for small curved areas myself. Glad you found it helpful!

[@darlenehoffman2419]

I loved watching your video.😊🌻.Thank you for the tip of using a whole punch on an inside area you want to cut out. I've been gouging a hole in my hand the whole time trying to poke a hole in the paper to start cutting! I too love fussy cutting and on some images prefer a small border around.. it often enhances the image to have the white border on it.. Something I wanted to share with you if you don't mind.. if there is a small area that is difficult to get into to cut.. I cut through the image or the stem etc... cut out the area and then tape it back together with a small piece of tape on the back... you don't notice the cut line on the front.. so easy... also... if there are thin stems that have to be cut out, I put masking tape or scotch tape on the back of the area to be cut out.. then you can cut out a fine line or stem and it doesn't tear.. it reinforces it so well... I've been so happy doing this and can cut anything out and store it and handle it without damaging it at all.. I hope you like this and will try it..😊

[@thegraphicsfairy]

Great tips, thank you!

[@andybaillie9939]

Thanks Emily. Some great tips. I never thought of using cuticle scissors. I can vouch for the alfoil & fine sandpaper tip - it works remarkably well. From BananaBender 🙂

[@thegraphicsfairy]

Wonderful! Thanks for vouching for those suggestions ❤

[@marjiens8163]

I’m a newbie so have a lot to learn. This video was very informative showing good techniques and tools. I’m curious as to why you prefer a white border? Would it not show up on your later work and take away from your finished product or am I completely off the rails in my thinking? 😊

[@thegraphicsfairy]

We're glad you enjoyed the video. The border is a personal choice; some people leave one, others don't. It can be helpful when there are very fine details (like the bird's leg in the example shown).

[@yvonnetucker1416]

I DO LIKE USING DIFFERENT PAPER FOR THESE .

[@criseastman6503]

Thank you also for showing what happens when you cut with the tips of the scissors. For some silly reason I always assumed I was doing something wrong😂. Nice to know physics can be blamed!

[@dizzydevi8019]

What is the size of the blade on your x acto knife

[@GS-yw3jg]

I agree, one real time cut, while you walked us through it, would have been appreciated. Otherwise, great job!

[@thegraphicsfairy]

Noted! I'm not the fastest fussy cutter, so the ones shown took me 1 1/2 to 2 minutes a piece --- I was worried it would have been a long bit of silence & everyone would get bored, so I decided to speed up the cutting itself.

[@deef6796]

Can you use a knife sharpening tool to sharpen scissors? I have a Henckel sharpener that has a V where the blade goes, with a hand grip on the side.

[@thegraphicsfairy]

I'm really afraid of telling you to do something that could possibly ruin your scissors or compromise your sharpener. I would check the specific scissors brand you have and see what the manufacturer recommends for maintenance. I know Henckel makes a scissor sharpener, which makes me feel like that is the more ideal way to go than their knife sharpener.

[@mariapatriciachavez2109]

💡👍🥰

[@darlenestokes8825]

Do you ever use a Circut to cut out projects? I do not have one but thought of getting one to cut out windows etc on paper projects?

[@thegraphicsfairy]

I do have a Cricut Maker. Yes, I have used it to fussy cut before using print & cut, but I prefer to do it with a white border. Lisa made a short print & cut video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/paPYlYFprJp0j68. I've found with print & cut, the more intricate the images are, the more the cuts aren't as exact for me (I guess I don't line the paper up as well as I should and end up going back with scissors to fine tune). For the white border ones, I first add a white border in an image editing program, then upload those images in to the cricut software & follow the print & cut process.

[@darlenestokes8825]

@@thegraphicsfairy Thank you for the answer, I did watch the video.

[@karenschifman5169]

what is the best way to clean scissors as mine seem to get glue on them.

[@thegraphicsfairy]

For paper cutting, make sure you have one dedicated pair for paper only that won't touch adhesives and get gunked up --- when you go to fussy cut with glued scissors, you won't get clean cuts. If you have scissors with glue on them, I've wiped them with white vinegar or used Goo Gone.

[@karenwebster6274]

Where did you get the hole punch?

[@thegraphicsfairy]

Hi Karen, it's called a screw punch - it can make different size holes & cut through different materials or several papers at once. I got it at the craft store; it's Martha Stewart brand. I'm not sure if she still makes them, but in the paper section look for a screw punch. It's like this one: Bira 3 Tips 2mm, 3mm, 4mm Screw Punch, Anywhere Punch, Oversized Soft Grip Handle for Circular Holes Paper www.amazon.com/dp/B019QXX0LM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_gl_i_DFZCC8HHWCG43M3TCX8G

[@mariaconti9704]

Good video, but it would have been nice to see you do at least one of the fussy cutting demos in real time. Thank you 🙏

[@thegraphicsfairy]

Thank you! I'm not the fastest fussy cutter, so the ones shown took me 1 1/2 to 2 minutes a piece --- I was worried it would have been a long bit of silence & everyone would get bored, so I decided to show a few sped up examples.

[@lindafriend9392]

Maria Conti I slowed the video down to 0.25, it was easier to see what was going on😁

[@verachyz9079]

FYI. It is never scissor. It is always scissors.