carolinequilts Posted December 18, 2012 Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 Okay team! I just quilted a row of Meandering Feathers on a quilt and I don't like the result, plus had tension issues. I want to unpick the row. What method goes fastest? I use a seam ripper to cut the top thread and pull. Inch by inch, it would take me 20 hours to unpick my work! You guys are great - I'm sure you have much faster ways! Any advice appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinequilts Posted December 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 Hey guys. I just read this post http://forum.apqs.com/index.php?/topic/24987-electric-stitch-eraser/page__hl__+remove%20+stitches#entry356000 and tried it on a few stitches using my rotary cutter and it works! I'm going to get the 'real' tool tomorrow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Sparrow Posted December 18, 2012 Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 I like to pull the top thread and cut the bobbin thread that pokes up on top. Continue pulling the top thread. It will usually pull back 5-6 stitches with every snip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted December 18, 2012 Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 Skin it. Lift the top and the batting to expose the stitches between the batting and the backer. I use a scalpel-like blade that's very sharp. Pull up on the batting and touch the stitches. Pull and cut. Repeat. Be careful not to nick the backer and keep your hands out of the way. This technique is magic and fast! You can also use an "eyebrow trimmer"--a blade with a plastic guard. They sell them at quilt shops now. As you mentioned, you can use this same technique with a rotary cutter if you're careful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinequilts Posted December 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 Thanks so much for the tips! I'm going to find something tomorrow - if not the 'scalpel' (if they don't have it at my local shop), the I'll try to find a eyebrow trimmer.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted December 18, 2012 Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 Yup skinning works great for bigger frogging jobs. For smaller jobs I do it like Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitepinesquilter Posted December 18, 2012 Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 You can get the pocket scapel, that some quilt shops sell, through a vet's office or vet supply place (http://wedocows.stearnsvetoutlet.com) for 69 cents each or 58 cents a piece by the case of 40. The ones we've used on the farm have a a pocket knife edge ( #20 knife) or a hook edge (#12). They do work magic on frogging - you just need to be real careful as they are beyond sharp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RitaR Posted December 18, 2012 Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 I do the ripping like Matt sometimes, Himself can out do me by doing that, and I'm using the rotary cutter, or better yet, a single edge razor blade. I guess a lot of us have differing methods. It is good to be able to choose between them depending on the pattern, or straight line. Rita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Sparrow Posted December 18, 2012 Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 For larger sections I skin too using this... http://www.famorecutlery.com/magnifiers-and-more/10-0000.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitepinesquilter Posted December 18, 2012 Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 Yep, Matt, that's on the same line as what I mentioned. That is a vet's surgical knife and they work great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinequilts Posted December 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 Thank you for all the great information! I'm going to see what I can get in the way of a sharp scalpel seam ripper - or order one. That will take time though. For now, I have a small 18m rotary cutter and I'll use that blade and 'skin' away! I've seen a suggestion to use a bikini shaver and might try that too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janette Posted December 22, 2012 Report Share Posted December 22, 2012 I usually just pull the top thread back towards the stitches til it stops which usually undoes about an inch or just over, then I go to the bottom thread and pull that til it stops, then the top thread then the bottom etc etc, this is the fastest way I have found to do it... and I don't even have to get the seam ripper out unless I have some smaller or tighter stitches very occasionally... works for me.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IQuiltToo Posted December 22, 2012 Report Share Posted December 22, 2012 My dental hygenist gives me old/unusable cleaning tools. They really work well. Much prefer over a seam ripper and I have also skinned with my rotary cutter. Find the dental tools to be much safer tho I have never cut into a backing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klwheeler Posted December 23, 2012 Report Share Posted December 23, 2012 Hi, I use Superior Threads Superior Snippers for all seam ripping and love them. https://www.superiorthreads.com/product/Notions/superior-snippers/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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