I had this post written in my mind when I took this photo. I planned to tell you the significance of the little heart, painted on my scissors with red nail polish to serve as a reminder to my sweet little Carrie that these scissors were to be used for fabric only. We remembered that the heart was on these scissors because Mommy loves to sew, and signified that they were not to be used on paper because that would dull the blades.
I’ve had these scissors for at least 20 years now, and you
can imagine how dull the blades are at this point. It wasn’t until I inherited
my mom’s scissors recently (the gray pair in the photo) that I realized just
how dull my sewing scissors are. Man, Mom’s scissors are a smooth cutting tool
compared to what I’ve been using!
Anyway, I took the photo, thought about my sweet little girl
and how she respected my crafting tools, and then all of a sudden I wondered, “Does
cutting paper with scissors really dull them?”
I figured I’d better do a little research before I published
this post, and when I poked around online I found all kinds of arguments
against that theory. Apparently, scissors are scissors and it doesn’t really
matter if you use them for paper or fabric. In time they will become dull and require sharpening, just
like your favorite kitchen knife, regardless of what
you use them for. What do you think?
All those years my mom kept a special pair of scissors
for fabric only, and then I did the same when I became a mom. I even went so
far as to mark mine with a permanent heart. Maybe I was wrong about the
fabric/paper thing, but I have to think there was something right about
teaching my child some simple boundaries and respect for something I loved.
She never used them on paper.
{Did you, Carrie?}
♥
{Did you, Carrie?}
♥
20 comments:
My parents gave SweetGirl a sewing basket filled with things for her birthday. When she held you the scissors Mama and I both said" only for fabric!".
My Mom loves to sew also and growing up we learned very early that her scissors were off limits for paper. I love the heart on the handle, such a sweet way to remind your daughter of the 'no paper' rule. I am not sure if there is truth in it or not but I still think about what materials I cut with which scissors.
I think it's true. I have 'special' scissors and I taught my two at a young age not to use them for anything but fabric. Funnily enough we were at my Mum's recently and Amelia needed a pair of scissors to cut a tag from a t-shirt. My Mum handed her a pair of orange handled scissors, identical to my needlework pair, and she hesitated to take them for the task! I love the idea of the little heart x
Well, I think it's true. when I couldn't lay hand to the fabric scissors, I used the paper one to cut ribbon and it did not cut a sharp edge. So you were right. About the boundaries too.
Seems like I had to buy my two boys a pair of scissors every year they were in grade school. I think those teachers had a truck load of scissors by the time they retired. LOL My boys were not allowed to use my blue pair of scissors, hubby on the other hand used them for everything. Your post reminds me that I need to sharpen those blue scissors again.
My whole life has been a lie! It doesn't even matter?! I was so scared of using those scissors on paper my entire life. And now I have a pair of "fabric" scissors with a peace sign on them...but now that I know the truth I'm itching to cut some paper with them.
I have special fabric scissors as well....and I'm still going to keep them just for fabric....just in case it isn't a myth!!
yeah...but HOW do you sharpen scissors?? and WHEN do you remember to bring them with you when go to a fabric store?
ug. I end up buying new ones! terrible!
I was also taught that using sewing scissors on paper would dull them. But it also makes sense that scissor are scissors and it doesn't matter what they cut. Still, I have Fiskars that I keep only for fabric. I'm glad to hear that your daughter has respected your request!!
Thanks for stopping by my blog---otherwise I might not have discovered you! I've added you to my reading list and look forward to your posts.
I don't have fabric scissors, but I do have two pairs of scissors for scrapbooking. One for cutting paper/ribbon/etc and one for cutting things that haven't been anywhere near glue.
I think that paper does dull the blades in the end.
Whether it is myth or reality, I still think it is a good idea to have a pair of scissors designated as "special" that you can always expect to be where you left them when you need them because nobody else borrowed them for a project and let them buried under their mess. I have scissors my kids don't even know about! Safely hidden in their original boxes in my sewing desk drawer.
I've wondered that myself. I have a special pair for fabric also but I'm pretty sure others have used them for paper. Maybe I should purchase a new pair and hide them.
Hmmmm. I have a special pair just for fabric. I guess if someone told me that it doesn't matter, I'd still tell my girls this pair of scissors is "fabric only" just so they'd always be where they belong and the girls might grow up believing (as I do) that playing with the fabric is something special. Very cute post!!!
Wll, my lifetime of experience with scissors absolutely confirms my understanding that if you cut wood, which is what paper is, with scissors, those scissors blunt faster than with fabric. Yes, they will both go blunt in the end but paper blunts scissors faster! I do love the little heart, and its no bad thing to tach respect for tools :).
I have fabric scissors too ... it's a bit of a joke though ... I mean really, they barely get used! But, it is what Mum did and Grandma as well so that's what I do!
I'm yet another one who's been told that fabric scissors should NOT be used on paper. Ever.
I love the heart as a marker.
Rinda
I'm of the "fabric only" believers as well! I have a beautiful pair of Gingher scissors that I have only used for fabric. I've always kept them in my sewing drawer so there was never any chance of using them on paper. They are still as sharp as ever and they must be at least 20 years old.
I have fabric only scissors, too. I have recently told Alex about them when he wanted to use them on paper.
Now being a sewer, I hadn't really thought about this. But I love how Carrie respected your tools. My kids never respected my tools--my pens, office supplies, etc. It would drive my crazy. Still does.
Love your idea of using the heart as a marker for Carrie. I too have always been told not to use fabric scissors for anything but fabric and have had to hide mine away to prevent John from using them by mistake. :) BTW, I love Carrie's comment.
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