HOW TO DO UNPICKING AND SEAM RIPPING? - Is there a difference? And what’s the red ball for anyway?

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Ok my friends, are you a seam ripper or unpicker? And who's never seen the red ball trick before??

[@Evelyn__Wood]

🤣 Rushing is when is when I tear holes seam ripping! 😂

[@chrissy24-7]

Used to be an incorrect dream ripper... Lately an unpicker, but thrilled to know it is just as tricky as I found it to Seam rip, and that the red ball always goes in the fabric! (I thought it went the other way to protect fingers lol)

[@cielleschmiedel-lapointe2620]

At the alterations and repair shop I used to work at, we would actually use razorblades to seam rip. Time management was more important than carefully un-sewing every project we received. It was surprisingly easy to get used to.

[@fortysomethingbadgirls2173]

For your favorite wood seam ripper, a beam reamer will sharpen them as they dull.

[@SherylFZsmom]

@@fortysomethingbadgirls2173 Do you mean a bead reamer? I would think a round file of some sort might work, but a bead reamer is a very fine file. I have a few dull ones around here. I'll have to try that, just in the interest of science. Hmmm

[@gemmaghoukassian5350]

My tip/10 cents: try to get into the habit of always gently steam ironing the seam allowance after you’ve taken out the stitches and before re-stitching. Pulling out stitches will leave small holes, and steam ironing will loosen the yarns enough (in most fabrics) to realign the fibres back into position. If the holes are large, gently massage the seam as you go. This is especially important in delicate materials. There’s nothing worse than getting big holes in your seam allowance because you’ve unpicked and restitched a seam too many times! 🙂

[@Tser]

You can sharpen your seam ripper, instead of tossing it the first time it gets dull! You can sharpen the blade with a round needle file with fine grain. A bead reamer is also a good choice. Just use a bit of honing oil (mineral oil) and use a light touch with a fine-grained file, and test the sharpness on some scrap fabric as you go. Watching some sharpening videos for anything (like knives or scissors) can show you the basics of how. Be sure to clean all the oil off afterwards, since you don't want that on your sewing project. Keeping the blade clean between projects (and thoroughly dry after cleaning) will also help it stay sharp longer. I like rubbing alcohol because it dries so fast. Obviously seam rippers are cheap and they're made to be disposable, unfortunately. The metal is not high quality so they're not going to last forever, even with sharpening, but it definitely extends their life. I think it's worth it to save them from the landfill for a while, at least! And since they are cheap and destined for a landfill, if you screw up the sharpening during the learning curve it's not too big a deal and at least you tried, haha.

[@kingcheryl1654]

I appreciate you saying that un-sewing is a part of sewing. My mom used to say "As you sew, so shall ye rip." lol

[@MystiDawn]

I'm definitely a seam ripper lol I kinda found out about the red ball myself, almost on accident lol after stabbing like 3 holes in the fabric, I was frustrated and didn't pay attention to what direction the seam ripper was, and just happened to have it on the inside, like this. And it glided through and I was like 'well darn, look at that...' lol

[@reginaromsey]

When I had a sewing store that sold seam rippers either individually, or wholesale I always bought by the box. This was not always because they went blunt, but because the pixies who live here and take one of a pair of socks from a dryer load also take the rippers for protecting their herds of dust bunnies. I wish there were a way of sharpening them because the pixies only return the blunt ones!

[@babybear5001]

If you have an engineering shop or know a mechanical engineer they might show you. Rat tail needle file or folded over emery paper should do it. No promises though

[@kimfrazee4443]

Yes! I can't find ANY of mine right now! I asked my neighbors, and NONE of them have one either! Unfortunately, I'm going to have to go to the store. :(

[@KatSperlingBooks]

OK, I just love this comment :D. Good to know that I'm not the only one who has a house full of magical creatures ;).

[@lorib1696]

@@KatSperlingBooks Same here. I know it's not any of the humans that live in this house because they have all denied it.

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

@@KatSperlingBooks I'm definitely going to start blaming the pixies and the dust bunnies, the actual bunny has no use for my seam rippers but there are at least 6 of them in the house and I can usually only ever find one and I buy a new one every year or so. Then again I've been saving my basting threads for reuse lately so I've been using a darning needle to pick out the threads!

[@LynHannan]

I am both! Mum taught me before I started Secondary school! In year 8, I actually taught my sewing teacher about the red ball! She was gobsmacked! It was actually quite funny - I had stitched a seam too narrowly so had to redo it. For some reason, the class was really quiet, and everyone heard me ripping the seam and literally thought I was just pulling it apart. My teacher simply pounced on me (I'd never known her to move so quick!) to stop me "ruining" my work, and just stared at the mostly undone seam that had only taken about 8 seconds to do so far. She really startled me as I was very quiet and shy back then; but she asked how I'd done it so quickly and neatly, and had me demonstrate it. She turned it into a class lesson, having everyone stitch a seam in some calico (from the school's stash!) and practicing ripping it! She actually took me out of our classroom to show the class next door! In the hallway, she quietly told me that I could have simply stitched another line of stitching and left the other one in place as it was a straight seam - but she was very glad I didn't! She was so effusive in her thanks to me, and appologised for startling me - she knew that I was a year or two advanced in a lot of my sewing skills and experience, but she just reacted to the sound! These days, I need to use an unpicker/ripper with the widest handle I can find for my arthritic fingers, but guess what? The end of it is dome-shaped and made of a grippy type of plastic that is specifically for rubbing over the ripped seam line to pick out all the tiny bits of shrapnel - how cool is that?!

[@misssol1807]

I have one like that I bought simply for the “good grip” factor but only now I realise that the rubber is meant to be a debris catcher!!! Thank you for this cool tip. You just made my day. 😳👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@donningdesigns1721]

Very interesting comment, If words were fabric, one could see clearly how nicely you draped it around the body (content) and gave it a flow. After a very long time, I saw something in comments that was pleasant to read.

[@MuzakFavo]

Lovely story! Thank you for sharing!

[@nikiTricoteuse]

Great story. Well done that teacher for not being too proud to learn from one of her pupils. Love that she told you how you could have redone the seam in the corridor and didn't try and use it as a way to "reclaim" her authority. Would love to know the brand of the seam ripper with the sticky bit please. I altered curtains for a charity so always had mountains of cut thread and used a washable lint roller which was brilliant and that l absolutely reccomend. Would like something on a smaller scale now that l've retired though.

[@LynHannan]

@@nikiTricoteuse Yes, she was lovely! I think she wasn't long out of teachers college, because she looked young; but I think that I wasn't overawed by her because she seemed closer to my age. She also taught art, drama and filled in for English! My unpicker doesn't have the brand name on it. It's 13cm/5" long with the handle diameter of 2cm/.75" wide. I've just done a google search for large-handled unpickers - "Sew Easy Seam Ripper (premium selection)" is exactly what I have and am familiar with that brand. Hope this helps you!

[@lynnzettlemoyer9230]

This!!! Your opening sentences in this video need to be heard by every. new. sewer! When I started sewing and complained about having to rip, my mother would say over and over, "ripping is part of sewing." Really, it's a life lesson. Don't get upset - figure out what you did wrong, pick out the mistake, and figure out how to do it better the next time.

[@StellaMariaGiulia]

Turns out I didn't know what seam ripping was, I've always unpicked my seams. I usually unpick every few seams from the middle, as you suggested, and gently pull the thread off. My fave are the ones where you find the right end and pull the thread it unchaines itself, so satisfying

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Yes!! On a chain stitch or overlock stitch! It's magic!

[@MsDawn0113]

My grandmother taught me to pin down the fabric (one side of the seam) to an ironing ham to help keep tension on the fabric.

[@janagatton6084]

What a great idea! I was just thinking how cumbersome it would be to adjust tension to both pieces of fabric and seam pick or rip at the same time! I’m going to buy two hams online right now- one for my travel and one for my home machines!

[@katievickie9589]

I put mine under the presser foot of my machine for a quick way to put tension on the seam.

[@1rahmaan]

@@katievickie9589 I do too!

[@idontcare1481]

Now I have to google ironing ham. Thank you

[@zeylah4531]

I always pin to my leg because I don't have fancy tools. Just needles, thread and a thimble and seamripper.

[@janisbrunst4226]

I’m an unpicker. All these years (76 years old) and never knew what the little red ball accomplished. Thank you!

[@tarafoley6030]

Me too! 62 yrs old, been sewing for 54 of them & never even heard/saw any hint of this trick. Shocking, since I've done theatre work, gone to school for design & ran my own sm. business.

[@Marialla.]

Seeing your curly black hair, your blood-red lips, and your snow-white skin makes me think in this video that you look just like what a grown-up Snow White would have looked like! Who knows? Maybe she remembers her days of wearing rags when she developed the skills to mend, and now likes to keep her royal gowns looking their best with her own needle!

[@wifeoftim]

One of my daughters said Evelyn looks like a princess! And that is met to be a compliment!😊

[@Fernando-kb5wh]

Yes, she’s really pretty!

[@kimfrazee4443]

I've thought that too. I adore her.

[@AndysLegacy915]

I have thought MULTIPLE times she looks like Snow White. lol

[@diamondgrrrl572]

I use an eraser to gently pull loose threads when I rip a seam 😁 works like magic

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Ooh great tip!!

[@els1f]

Okay, I'm gonna have to try that one 👍

[@TheWanderingWife]

Diamond Lady I do that too. I keep a big white eraser in my sewing supplies.

[@ArtLenLa]

I did have a ripper that had a rubber end, which was handy also. I broke it and lost it, though.

[@janetcasas1182]

I use a small lint roller from the dollar store. It is a great size to carry in my travel sewing kit.

[@toreybangi6669]

I like using a lint roller to get all my stray threads after seem ripping!

[@preciousypenguino]

Omgoodness! My mouth fell open at that awesome long rip! Like peeling a long strip of wallpaper in one go haha!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

😂😂😂

[@jehsgarcia7190]

Same here. Literally.

[@refashionrose9499]

Unpicking is one of my favourite things. I find it so relaxing. When I am refashioning I unpick everything I can 😁. So here’s why... I sit in my rocking chair with my stitch ripper and a pair of tweezers with a bowl close it hand then I pull the seam. Using the tweezers to remove the old stitches as I go and putting them in the bowl. Whilst doing this I play something I love on my phone. It’s as good as meditation for me 😘

[@Evelyn__Wood]

I agree! It's in the same category as hand sewing, it there's alot, it's a good thing as then you can just relax and enjoy it! ❤

[@wehaveasaying]

I feel like maybe you and I could help each other out. You like unpicking and, judging by my last project, I apparently enjoy doing things that need unpicking. Instructions said to sew the front panel to the rear panel and after an hour of pinning and measuring and obsessing I finally managed to sew the right and left sides of the front panel together. For an encore, I sewed the waist onto the garment so that the seam was on the outside instead of the inside. Fabric and thread were the exact same shade of midnight blue and I was using the smallest stitch the machine does. NASA reports that the web of obscenities I wove can be seen from the International Space Station.

[@amyeklund746]

Wow, Mom taught me how to properly unpick but I never knew you could rip out a seam like that. And I also didn't realize that seam rippers would dull over time. Makes sense. I'm going to replace my old one now!

[@lisanicholls8771]

Brilliant. I’m 67 years old and have been sewing since I was 14. And NEVER KNEW ABOUT THE LITTLE BALL. 😊 Thank you.

[@nitanice]

First time I tried to use one, I saw a video where the lady undid the first few stitches and then used her presser foot as a clamp to hold one side. Just brilliant and made it a LOT easier!

[@michellecornum5856]

I knew what the red ball is for. Let's talk about taking out Overlocker seams. There is a right side and a wrong side for the stitches. On the right side of the stitching, you can use your picker to lift just the threads that come out of the needles. Once these are picked up, they can literally be pulled out. It will gather the up the fabric, but that is temporary. You will know that you have the right side because they can be pulled EASILY. Pull out one, then the other, for four thread Overlockers, then the threads that are cast over the edge of the fabric are just laying there loose, ready to be lifted away, no extra picking to be done.

[@raraavis7782]

I‘m an unpicker. I kinda knew about seam ripping, but it’s too nerve racking for me! I‘ve managed to accidentally cut holes in fabric, just removing scratchy labels 😆

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Yep, me too!! 😂😂

[@marisameans9859]

oh wow!! i've been sewing (off and on) for 50+ years and my mind is blown. I grew up seam ripping by unpicking... and never knew what the ball was for. Thank you!!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

😄😄 Right!! I'm happy to share it with you! You'll have to test it tomorrow.. on scraps first! It can be tricky! ❤

[@marisameans9859]

@@Evelyn__Wood your seam ripping was one of those OMG moments...what? that fast? i had to laugh at myself ... but you never know what you don't know...and that little red ball - i thought it was some sort of 'protection device' that made no sense. you're never too old to learn something new.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

I know! I used to think that too, but then the long spike is the most dangerous with no protection! 🤣 Something for you to try tomorrow!

[@kitssewingkit]

i honestly mostly just use my tiny embroidery scissors, since i keep them handy more often than my seam ripper. When i do use it, its definitely a case by case basis. One of my proudest seam ripping moments was when I was working in my uni's costume shop, and one of my tasks for the day was to take off the collar from a shirt and sew the collar stand back up. I ripped through that collar seam like butter and was finished in about 5 minutes, most of which was picking off all the little fluffy threads. My boss was surprised I finished so quickly, which was really satisfying lol

[@kitssewingkit]

I'm not sure if they're available everywhere, but the brand Dritz makes a very nice 'ergonomic' seam ripper that's a nice shade of purple. It's so much more comfortable than those tiny hard plastic ones

[@miriamgladen9615]

Be better soon and stay full of strength and hope.

[@magwayen5476]

My mind blew when you did the seam ripping technique!

[@paulaneary7877]

OMG! I have been sewing for 30 years and I just learned how to use a seam ripper and what the little ball is for!

[@Maellen]

I have three because I'm always misplacing them, or I should say, my feline assistants find new places to storage them. But yes, my workshop costume teacher gave us the absolute basics on tools and tool maintenance before we sewed our first button, we had to learn about every single "essential" tool. I find even today that it really is the smartest approach.

[@Marialla.]

"Feline assistants find new places to storage"! ROFL!! This is too true, for every cat owner!

[@aliciabashir408]

I also have three! Currently trying to find at least one of them... 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@juilahenry1807]

I've been sewing for 50 years and didn't know about the red ball purpose! 🎉

[@Venus-bb7cd]

I learned something new! I need a seam ripper with a red ball.

[@kimlightfoot]

I discovered recently that a fingernail scrub brush works amazingly well on soft fabrics and heavy fabrics to remove a seam ripped thread line. Just have to brush the area in soft small circles and the denseness of the fingernail brush just scoops them all up super easy. I do that to my ironing board as well, when picking loose threads, nothing sticky left behind, and it even manages the cat hair on the board as well lol

[@fjolliff6308]

I imagine that a lint brush should work too? If there are any tips for finer fabrics, please let us know!

[@01doha]

I saw someone use a clean white eraser, it does work quite well

[@camilapais2904]

I've *just* finished unpicking five denim seams i realize now i could have ripped. Dammit!! 😂😂 So far i only knew how to unpick, and apparently I've been doing it right!! Thank you, I'm loving your content!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

At least your ready next time!

[@viejitaaa]

My eyebrows raised so high and my eyes got so big when I saw how to use the red ball! All those sewing classes I took in school and that was never mentioned!

[@adamreynolds9816]

I always thought the red ball was like the cork on Steven Martin’s fork. Safety first. Love this tip!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Safety for the fabric! 😄

[@MsDawn0113]

Oklahoma, Oklahoma , Oklahoma!!!!! 😃

[@gemmaghoukassian5350]

Lol

[@bonniecolleenpappin8807]

Thank you, I enjoyed that. I do my seam removal a bit differently. I cut the bobbin stitches every 5 or 7 stitches along the seam. The top thread just pulls out. There is a lot less fluff and as the seam ripper is almost parallel to the fabric the chance of damage is less. Keep up the good work.

[@misssutherby1027]

Vivienne Westwood learned her craft by unpicking the seams of garments to see how to put the pieces together. I unpick clothing whenever I have to go somewhere and wait. I find it therapeutic. The Cover unpicker is the best one I've ever owned and my go-to. Love that you show this one.

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

I use both techniques, and figured out the reason for the little ball end the hard way. Lol. I'm also the person who still uses a seam ripper to open my button holes. Please don't hate me.....I'm nearly 70 and it's a very old habit that just won't die. Thanks, Evelyn, for all your wonderful videos!

[@poundedclown]

I've just found this video. I've only been sewing for 6 weeks since the arrival of my nephew. Tonight I've spent hours unpicking a baby t-shirt I'm attempting to sew (I managed to find every incorrect way of attaching arms before I finally worked it out). If only I had found this video a few hours ago I may have saved myself a lot of time and stress

[@noire1001]

I use a small wooden dowel with polishing compound on it to sharpen the blade of the unpicker. If you spin it in a drill it works even better. It gets the blade sharper than it was when new. Much better than throwing them away.

[@fjolliff6308]

I wonder if dremel has something similar that could be used? Thanks for the idea!

[@katherinemorelle7115]

I’m definitely an unpicker, I didn’t even know you could rip seams like that until just now. Also, I call it a Quick Unpick, because that’s what my nana called it. Also, it’s fun to say. You gotta try to say it really fast, and the rhyming sounds cool, imo.

[@nikiTricoteuse]

That's what l know them as too. I think Quick Unpick was originally a brand name and gradually became a generalised name for them. A bit like Sellotape has become a name for clear adhesive tape.

[@karlisgama7316]

I recently bought a begginers kit and a ripper came in it. It's THE BEST I've owned; all of mine except one were so blunt. But this new one is quite sharp and has a kind of silicon like handle, wich is sooooo useful to use as an "eraser" pulling away the little threads when you rip the seam. The brand is Fiskars and the model is the Begginer's Sewing Set. I really loved it. English not native language, sorry 'bout the grammar/spelling. ;)

[@lemonlyjane]

This has changed my (sewing) life!!! Thanks Evelyn!!

[@AnnaYV]

I unpick mine but before this video I didn’t realise I was doing a good thing 😂 your videos have helped me so much, thankyou 🙏🏼

[@marymendoza3351]

Wow Evelyn, you are a master at that seam ripping thing! In America, it’s a seam ripper which as you described is literal. But going forward I’ll use the name “unpick” which makes a lot of sense. I have no technique because I’ve messed up so many projects but glad to know what the purpose of that little ball thing is about, ha ha ha.....Happy Sewing Everyone!!! 👗✂️

[@live4god4]

I am floored!!! I have never seen any one use the seam ripper that way.

[@iagonizante]

Wow I actually gasped when i saw you ripping that seam and the unpick just gliding along :O

[@AndysLegacy915]

I love that you do these central topic videos, I always learn so much. I definitely WAS mind blown by the seam rip red ball demo.

[@ingajonaityte7038]

I have only ordered my first sewing machine and decided to watch few videos so I know where to start once it arrives. I feel so lucky I came across your channel it is absolutely amazing to someone who knows very little about sewing!! Your videos are so full of positivity and step by step guidance that I can't wait to start learning to sew. Thanks for being such an inspiration :))

[@cindyn8822]

I have become friends with my seam ripper 😀. I have learned today the term I use, is unpicking. Thank you so much for being my inspiration and for helping me become re-acquainted with sewing. I just love you. You are so delightful! Thank you for being so relatable. I wish you better health and happiness, my dear “friend.” I’ll keep looking forward to your posts.

[@nancyhurt7145]

I’m a ripper for sure, but years ago I learned to use a razor blade and that’s all I reach for now. Doing bridal and prom dress alterations for years, ripping was 90 percent of the process and the razor blade made it so easy. I’ve never cut holes or ruined a piece, but I learned to take time to enjoy each step in the journey!

[@eleonore59830]

My seam ripper from 1978 still work really well because my grandma hate them so rarely used it lmao. I mostly use unpicking because I am too clumsy for seam ripping, I would probably rip the fabric or hurt myself haha.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

🤣 I need one that lasts that long!

[@luciatat4084]

Wow, I had no ideea 😂 that red ball was for this or that you could do this at all...I just unpicked my seams. So nice to learn all these things! Thank you!

[@briallenrose3241]

Meter meter fabric carry a beautiful wooden handle seam ripper that has removable blades

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Ooh sounds like what I'd like, thankyou I'm going to look it up!!

[@els1f]

Oh yeah, I know that tool! That's the one I use when I'm frustrated and then i rip into the fabric I needed while trying to fix the weird ripples in my uneven sleeve. Then I 🤬🤬 a bunch and try again tomorrow. 😆 The one I have was REALLY tiny for my hands and they would cramp up. I took it out of the plastic base, drilled into a dowel, and used epoxy to make it a big comfortable wooden tool. It's so much more comfortable 🙂

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Yes I hate the small ones too! I'm not that handy with a drill, but that woukd be a good way to use all those too small ones I have! 😄

[@mjbe]

Kenneth D. King uses old vintage handles for some of his sewing tools. Pretty and easy to tell apart from others in classes. It was on a Threads video I saw.

[@els1f]

@@mjbe was it in this video?! 😮 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6vKcnxjfaurrMU Because that blew my mind 🤯 Thanks for sharing, I never heard of threads 👍

[@scrapcathy868]

Birch make a big one that is great for hands. I'm sure other brands do too.

[@jacquelinelmiller]

The red ball has a purpose! Actually looking forward to trying this! Thanks!

[@EmpeROARFabulous]

I’m always so proud of myself when I watch one of your videos and already knew those skills. This is not one of those! I’m always so glad when I watch one of your videos and think I probably won’t learn anything but am very wrong. This was one of those!

[@jburch5752]

Because of the virus, I've anted to try my hand at making masks. I've watched several of your videos which have helped me get up to speed. Your videos are great. I'd never used a sewing machine in my life before. I've gained a great admiration for those who sew. Thank you for your wonderful videos.

[@choux8372]

I wish I watched this before i started ripping seams on a shirt! But I'm glad I saw this before doing more work

[@m.kayewilliams2550]

When I saw this, my jaw dropped, and then I cried over all the hours I have spent picking and not ripping. What a fantastic find, especially since after years away from sewing, I've pulled out the old machine to do masks - so I'll be using this tip A LOT! Thanks so much.

[@irEyERWO]

Oh my god! That's what that red thing was for! Thank you so much for this since I've been refashioning my clothes and unpicking the seams has been my least favorite part. This is going to make my life so much easier!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Excellent! Just be careful not to rip!! It's easy to make a mistake!

[@paulenelongley1277]

Ive been an unpicker but next time I need to I will be a seam ripper... thanks for teaching in such a neat, cute and informative way.

[@sandieking9007]

I've been sewing for 40 years, and never knew this! I am an unpicker, but will practice the seam ripping technique. Thanks for the tip!😎

[@Midlife_Manical_Mayhem]

oh my.... 35 years of sewing "experience" undone (or ripped??) in a very few minutes. so glad to learn the correct manner. i don't even know where my seam ripper is because i end up just unpicking, stitch by stitch, with a pin.

[@MildredRHolmes]

Both ways. Lucked out. My mother and aunties were seamstresses. Learned lots from them. I did figure out the red ball trick after surreptitiously checking them out. Being a "bull headed teen" meant lots of figuring things out the hard way. 😁

[@emmastromgard9415]

I once learned from a professional sewer to unpick every other stitch on one side of the fabric. Then just separate the two pieces. On the other side you now just draw the whole thread away, and you have just one side to clean from small piece of thread. It is a bit timeconsuming, but so satisfying to just lift away the “nondamaged” thread..

[@deannastevens1217]

I didn't find out what the red ball was for until I had been sewing 20+ years. I slashed many a seam with that sharp end. Thank you for this video. I do both. More Unpicking than ripping. But I call it picking out my seams. But I'm weird. and mostly self taught. :D I Love your Videos.

[@tammyfournier5288]

I have gotten my hubby to pull his round files out and sharpen mine! He keeps them nice and sharp for me!

[@Marialla.]

Brilliant! I learned ALL the wrong ways to seam-rip and unpick. It is so nice to see a better way! Maybe I won't hate it as much any more.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

🤣 Not wrong, there's a time and place for all methods, but just other ways that might serve you better! You now have a new trick to try!

[@anessaharris9947]

😀 the ball tip makes so much more sense

[@catherinerw1]

I bought a nice ergonomic seam ripper so I could put pockets in commercial dresses! Then of course I found the original one that came with the sewing machine (old-style small). Very fiddly job undoing narrow overlocked seams! (And yes I was unpicking not seam ripping... was on stretch jersey).

[@joannecarroll5504]

Sorry Evelyn, I guess we were all taught differently. I was taught never to cut the seam open or work towards the garment like that. I was taught to unpick stitches, but not the way you think. The last stitches are cut just as you did. Next the seam is placed back together & held securely but gently between your fingers, as if you were sewing it. The Quick Unpick is laid down *flat* to ensure the fabric isn't damaged & it slides under the 1st stitch, gently lifting it away from the fabric). Then you test a stitch 2cm or so further up the seam with your unpicker (always flat), to see if the thread from those first few stitches will come out of there. If it does, you know you only have to cut/unpick a couple places along that thread & the entire length of the seam can be extracted if needed. If the test stitch doesn't allow the thread to be pulled through, it means the tension won't allow the top thread to come out intact. You just make regular cuts across that top thread with your unpicker, say every inch or 2 (whatever suits) then you only unpick the 1st few stitches of every section. Just til the thread is long enough to pinch & pull out. The bottom thread will stay intact & there won't be endless bits of thread to clean up

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Oh yes I know what you mean! I do this for basting stitches that are loose! Thankyou for mentioning it! I'm sure someone else who find this useful! ❤

[@kimfrazee4443]

This is what I was taught too. This video had me questioning if I was -actually- told not to do this, but I was. I was never taught it, but it made sense to me, so I started doing these methods. My teacher told me not too. (I never stopped. I was just careful)

[@deborahcherry1735]

Never seen a seam ripped like that,amazing ,need to go try

[@clairevero]

The other day I had no luck with my seam ripper it fought me every step of the way so I gave up and grabbed a scalpel and job done. In my defense I was pretty ticked off at the time.

[@amylenkowsky8681]

Great video! Thanks I didn’t know what the red ball was for

[@ashleighalexandra1290]

The video I didn't know I needed. 😄 Thankyou so much x

[@ElanorKella]

I named mine Jack the (Seam) Ripper :D and always have him at hand. I've heard about the red ball function but didn't try it yet. Also try to unpick only one thread if possible and save the other for basting - this usually works until I got too frustrated with the process

[@SherylFZsmom]

Jack, lol

[@Evelyn__Wood]

😂😂😂 Jack!

[@fjolliff6308]

I'm going to have to start calling my unpicker "Duck". Since it unpicks rather than "Goose" who gets picked.

[@colgar6717]

This is amazing to know I've had to rip my seams so much for my quilt im just starting off with sewing.

[@kimlightfoot]

So, My grandma taught me that "It is not a sewing project until you have used your seam ripper" Then she said, replace them every five years so they stay good and sharp lol. Thirty five years later, I have seam rippers, and everything I sew has had them used on them, every single thing roflol.

[@teresas.3979]

Well, I suppose I should replace mine more often then. My red one is so old I think I got it in 1992.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

😂😂😂 And I do agree with Grandma on in that every project likley gets is seam ripper use!! ❤

[@sudieswader3995]

I am a picker! My mom was in the '60's to '80's. I helped by pinning patterns down, and picking out seams - which I called ripping. I'd never seen ripping until your video! So fun to learn something new. And of course I had no idea what the red ball was for until today either. P.S. I don't have any projects going, but I love watching your videos. Some people are into cooking shows, I am into your sewing videos!

[@dhines3804]

I love that I always learn something from your videos!

[@gemmasremchevich6719]

Life changing. UNPICKER.. I didn't know the ball was meant to be upside. Wow. Am still using my unpicker that came with my 1985 Husqvarna. Will keep as a souviner. I lose all the new ones for some reason. THANK YOU. I also was unpicking backwards.

[@barbaradace7952]

I finally bought one of those turned brass seam rippers with a ring on the cap so I can wear the darn thing around my neck and it’s always ready! :-)

No! I started sewing, learning from my mother, in 1959. I am learning, for the first time, what that little red ball is for.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Surprise!! Who knew right!

[@jeniferalvarez2914]

So helpful! I didn’t know there was a certain way to use the seam ripper.

[@yarnovah]

You’re never too old to learn a new trick! I’m 70 and just learned about “ripping” vs “unpicking” from your video. I was taught to remove stitches by cutting about every fourth one or so with my seam ripper (I’m in the U. S.), from the top, and lift the threads up. My ripper that I’ve had since about 1974, is green like the dull one you demonstrated and doesn’t even have a red ball. I just bought several new ones and am looking forward to using them!

[@martaroxx]

Thank you Evelyn, i should have watched this Video so much earlier. I don't know how many hours i spent unpicking overlock stitches 😮😵 I love your Videos. Greetings from Germany 💕

[@carleneparker9709]

If you hold a rotary cutter with handle upwards and blade down and seam open with a little tension you can rip out a seam quickly by just touching the threads with the blade. I do it all the time and never cut my material because I'm just touching the threads. You can use your presser foot to hold down one side of the seam. This may sound gross but it works my mother would wet her fingers and grab the little threads and put them in her mouth as she was pulling out the thread pieces and then when she had a bit she would discard the ball of thread and start again until all the thread ends were removed from seam. I have to admit I do it sometimes because otherwise its a pain and the thread wants to stick to your hand.

[@ediebegonia]

I've always managed my picked out threads this way. Otherwise I get so frustrated trying to discard all the little threads one at a time while they stick to my fingers.

[@Ursula973]

I had NO idea! There's a difference!?!? This was great info! Thank you! Got my old seam ripper out and it does not even have a red ball on it! I have taken to unpicking using my embroidery scissors. Probably because my seam ripper is so old and dull. Didn't even realize this! Next time I get to the shop, (whenever that is), I will get a new seam ripper and try this out (carefully).

[@zahramarhoon6135]

Watching this as I was unpicking my seams. I was mind blown when I saw the purpose of the small ball, and I seam ripped the rest of my seams instead of picking them. Saved me a ton of time!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

It's like seeing magic for the first time right!! Just be carful with this new power of yours, many a fabric has ripped this way! 🤣

[@ReallyJillRogoff]

So helpful, thank-you. I just lost the little red ball off my first ripper... Time to thank it, throw it away, and start using the new one... this time, properly! :-)

[@JaqueBampi]

This is why I love your videos! Oh, that little red ball 😄😄

[@makingitthrough190]

Thank you! I had never thought about unpicking “backwards”, makes so much more sense.

[@sherryg7722]

Thanks for the info. Never saw the little red ball method before and I been sewing for 60 years. My mom taught me to turn the seam to bottom of the sewn seam. This would have an easier way of pulling the thread. If you did the removal of thread this way you didn't have all the tiny threads. Love all your helpful info. God bless happy sewing. Sherry from Alabama, USA.

[@julianlatorre1]

Thank You for the video Evelyn Gutterman make a sean ripper with a rubber end that gently pulls out all the little threads that are left in the fabric. Buy just brushing it over them. I use both methods while sewing for over 40 years.

[@stephanieloffler8566]

Well, in Germany it's called "Nahttrenner" (maybe more unpick than seam ripper translated). I am an unpicker, but I also am aware of the seam ripping method. Really love you videos! Sewing, tipps/technique and thrifts 😉 Regards and take care, Stephanie

[@cwbrownCaroline]

Just tried the seam ripping on a shirt from my closet that needs to fit right, so cool!

[@Shasharinabina]

Thank you for explaining all of this and the red ball!

[@leenb.7936]

The stupidest thing is that I already knew (through such videos on YT) about the red ball and STILL I catch myself using the pointy end instead (I often switch between the 2). Nice reminder to make it easier on myself

[@ladyhawc03]

Hey..I've used the "red ball method"..but, didn't know I was using it correctly..yeah me!!😋😋. Also, I've used a less sharp seam ripper & did damage, too. 😭😭. Thank you for the sharing your tutorial.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

I think EVERYONE had done damage at some time!! I'm glad you liked video 😀

[@Yerasis]

Thank you Evelyn. I just bought a sim ripper that had a head that clears the cut fluff. The name on it is Seam Fix. Amazon Carries it. 🙋‍♀️

[@pagansunite4005]

How funny! I call it a seam ripper, but I have always used it as a picker. I never knew what that little red ball was for either. Now I know and it has just become a bit of trivia because I don't think I could trust myself with the ripping.