Guide to Buying the Perfect Thread Snips

You’ll use a pair of thread snips almost every time you sew, so take care when picking out this small-but-mighty tool.

Some makers wear thread snips on lanyards, stash a pair at their machine and their ironing board, or swear by the latest ergonomic, spring-loaded option. When picking out a pair, consider your preferences concerning weight (plastic or metal?), size, cost, color, and ergonomics—and then be sure to keep them sharp.

You’ll use this tool to:

Snip threads at the beginning and end of each stitch

Trim and grade seam allowances

Clip into notches when cutting out your pattern

Notch along curves to reduce bulk

Cut elastic and trims

Here are some of the Seamwork team’s favorite thread snips—find the pair that works best for your habits and budget.

Budget-friendly Snips

Thread snips are essentially just small scissors that give you more control while clipping, so there’s no need to get anything fancy. Use a pair of embroidery scissors—the short blades allow you to carefully cut close to your seam lines. Most are under $10 at Wawak, but you can always invest more for a very high-quality pair.

Chelsea

Technical Illustrator

“I use the cheapest little snips that you can find by the register at a fabric store. They work perfectly fine, and I like all the colors they come in. Plus, if I lose one, I can get plenty more!”

These snips tick most of the boxes—they’re affordable and spring-loaded. Available at Wawak for less than $6 (or choose a heavier, all-metal version for under $15).

Wallis

Pattern Maker

“I love these thread clips—they are affordable, sturdy, and very sharp. I have had these clips for almost a year, and they have not dulled at all, which seemed to be the case for other pairs I purchased over the years. I prefer the lightweight to heavyweight version because there is a very noticeable weight difference.”

These clips have a streamlined design and are very comfortable to use. Often called one-piece thread snips, they cut with a single snip, and you can find them at affordable price points. Available at Rocky Mountain Leather Supply for $5.99.

Links to affordable snips:

Colorful Thread Snips from Style Maker Fabrics, $2.95

Sqizzors Snips from Bolt have an ergonomic handle and a short, straight blade, $4.15

Economy Japanese Style Thread Nippers from Rocky Mountain Leather Supply, $5.99

Lightweight Thread Clippers from Wawak, $5.75

Red Polka Dot Embroidery Scissors from Stitched Modern, $5.00

4 1/2 inch Needlecraft Scissors from Blackbird Fabrics, $14.25

Upgraded Snips

These Prism Thread Snips not only look really nice, but are made from stainless steel. Available for $30.00 at LDH Scissors.

Duckbill scissors—often used for appliqué—are ideal for trimming and grading seams. The “duckbill” on one side of the blade prevents you from cutting into your fabric as you trim the seam allowance. Available for $28.90 at Wawak, these are a great addition to a more simple pair of snips.

Investing in a fun pair of snips will keep you motivated to trim all your threads. Go for a unique shape or color, like these heart-shaped scissors from Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics for $15.00.

Links to upgraded snips:

The Love Snips from Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics, $15.00

Prym 15 cm Rose Gold Applique Scissors from Guthrie & Ghani, £17.10

Kai 5-inch Double Curve Scissors from Style Maker Fabrics are a modern upgrade to traditional duckbill scissors, $19.95

Merchant & Mills Wide Bow Scissors feature extra-wide holes for your fingers, from Josephine’s DryGoods, $20.00 and Thread Theory, CAD 22.00

Gingher Knife Edge Applique Scissors from Wawak, $28.90

Gingher Knife Edge Thread Nippers from Mood, $29.98

Prism Thread Snips from LDH Scissors, $30.00

Ergonomic Snips

These snips have a spring-loaded blade and ergonomic handle to make snipping easy and comfortable, especially if you have to trim seams. $21.99 at Mood.

Easy Kut’s design boasts a lightweight ergonomic approach, and the curved blades mean your wrist has to do less work. Available from Wawak for $7.99, or a padded, foam version from Stonemountain & Daughter, $16.25.

Links to ergonomic snips:

Easy Kut from Wawak, $7.99

Foam Grip Easy Kut from Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics, $16.25

Fiskar’s Titanium Scissors from Mood, $21.99

Decorative Snips

Stork embroidery scissors are always a classic option, and you can find them at all price ranges.

Sienna

Content Producer

“My favorite thread snips are a pair of Ernest Wright antique stork embroidery scissors. I love them because they were a gift from my husband, they’re beautiful and well-made, and they have a fun history—they were originally designed to cut umbilical cords!”

If you’re a collector, look to Etsy and eBay for vintage or vintage-inspired scissors. Due to age—and possibly some rust—antique scissors aren’t always the best option for everyday sewing. Newer, vintage-inspired clips can often get you that look with a more functional blade.

Meg

Managing Editor

“I like to collect scissors, so I have a few snips in my collection. I always have a spring-loaded pair near my machine, but if I am just cleaning up some extra threads, I use one that’s fun to look at, like this pair that belonged to my grandma. I keep them hanging out on display in my sewing space between projects.”

Links to decorative snips:

Gingher 3 1/2” Stork Embroidery Scissors from Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics, $25.55

Rose Gold Stork Scissors from Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics, $9.60

Prym Stork Embroidery Scissors from Guthrie & Ghani, £10.80

Butterfly Wing Embroidery Scissors from Stitched Modern, $11.00

Guide to Buying the Perfect Thread Snips

You’re going to use this tool all the time, so pick out something you like.

Posted in: Fabric Guides • February 28, 2021