How to Sharpen Pinking Scissors

Pinking scissors, or shears, are an indispensable item for quick sewing projects. The attractive jagged edge they leaves helps prevent fabric from fraying and can be used to put a decorative edge on drapes and other sewn goods. They also lend a finished edge to projects made from micro-fleece and felt that normally would not be hemmed. Repeated use will cause the blades to dull, so that you will need to sharpen your pinking scissors.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Steel wool
• Towel
• Aluminum foil
• Scrap fabric

1. Scrub off any rust or corrosion spots with steel wool under running water. Make sure to get both sides of the blade and in between the teeth.

2. Dry the scissors completely or they will rust again. Ensure that no lint is left on the blades from the towel.

3. Fold a 2-foot-long sheet of aluminum foil into thirds. Cut through this five or six times with the pinking scissors. Make sure all of the teeth come in contact with the foil.

4. Check the scissors on a piece of scrap fabric to make sure they cut evenly without snagging. If they are still a little dull, cut through the layers of foil again.

Tips & Warnings

• Knife shops can also sharpen pinking scissors if they are extremely dull. Pinking scissors will keep their edge longer if they aren't used to cut paper.
• Expensive or heirloom shears should only be sharpened by professionals.

References

• Pattern Review: Sharpening Pinking Shears