Tailor's shears and fabric scissors
Tailor's shears and fabric scissors for seamstresses, tailors, fashion designers and studios: a long blade and a bent handle that keeps the fabric flat on the table. This category includes scissors from 20 to 30 cm long, German-made Solingen scissors by D.PERES and Kretzer, PRYM Professional models including a left-handed model, tailoring shears with metal handles and pinking shears for finishing edges. Retail and wholesale sales, self-pickup in Tel Aviv and nationwide shipping.
Products: 25
Types of tailor's shears in this category
Tailor's shears are the long, sturdy scissors of the sewing table: a long blade that cuts a whole pattern piece in a few strokes, a bent handle that keeps the fabric flat, and a sharpness that holds through layers of fabric. The models in this category fall into several families, and each one is shown on its product page with its overall length, blade material and handle type.
Solingen shears from Germany: D.PERES SOLINGEN PERFECTION in 24 and 26 cm lengths, a 23 cm professional model with a 10 cm blade, and a 20 cm TURBO model with an 8 cm blade and micro-serration. From Kretzer there is the 25 cm FINNY PROFI with a 12 cm cutting length and ice-hardened stainless steel, and a FINNY set that combines a 24 cm PROFI for fabric with a 13 cm HOBBY for threads and embroidery. A wider range of German models is gathered under Solingen scissors.
PRYM: PRYM Professional in 21 and 25 cm lengths with a stainless steel blade and raised handle, PRYM Professional left-handed tailor's shears at 21 cm, and the 20 cm PRYM Gold Edition in forged steel with gold-plated metal handles and micro-serration for slippery fabrics.
Tailoring shears with metal handles: a medium 25.5 cm model and a large 30 cm model with a 20 cm blade for layers and large fabrics, plus a model with gold-bronze finish handles. The blades are stainless steel, and some models have an adjustable pivot screw.
Fabric scissors for everyday work: tailor's shears in five lengths from 20 to 30 cm with a hardened steel blade and black or red handles; stainless steel tailor's shears in 20.3, 22.9 and 25.4 cm, from the light model for thin fabrics and curves to the long model for thick fabrics; 25 cm tailor's shears with a black-and-yellow handle; 25.5 cm fabric scissors with an 11 cm blade in a rainbow finish; and sewing scissors with bronze-tone titanium-coated blades, designed for fabrics, thin leather, denim and canvas.
Pinking shears: a 22 cm PRYM and a 23 cm model for fabrics and felt. The serrated blades reduce fraying on the edges of woven fabrics and create a decorative edge.
Complementary models: scissors with symmetrical handles that suit a right- or left-hand grip, and scissors with a built-in laser beam that marks a straight line before cutting, for fabric and paper.
How to choose tailor's shears
Shear length
20–23 cm: light and easy to control, suited to home sewing, light and medium fabrics, curves and smaller hands.
24–26 cm: the most common range in the studio, for cutting whole pattern pieces in medium-weight fabrics with few strokes.
28–30 cm: a long blade for long straight cuts, fabric layers and heavy fabrics such as denim and wool. They are heavier and need a steady hand.
Bent handle
On tailor's shears the handle is angled upward, so the lower blade stays flat on the table and the fabric doesn't lift while cutting. The result is a more accurate cutting line and a pattern piece that doesn't shift. To make the most of this, cut with the fabric lying flat on the table and use the full length of the blade in long strokes rather than short snips with the tip of the shears.
Blade material
Hardened stainless steel: rust-resistant and keeps its edge over time. In Kretzer's FINNY series the stainless steel is ice-hardened.
Forged steel: in the PRYM Gold Edition the steel is forged and hand-sharpened.
Titanium coating: a layer over the stainless steel blade, which on the model in this category comes in a bronze tone.
Smooth blade or micro-serration
A micro-serrated blade grips the fabric and stops it from sliding between the blades, an advantage with slippery fabrics such as silk, satin, chiffon and lining. In this category, micro-serration is found on the D.PERES TURBO and the PRYM Gold Edition. A smooth blade suits most fabrics and gives a quiet, smooth cut.
Right hand or left hand
Classic tailor's shears are built for the right hand, so the cutting line is visible to right-handed users. On left-handed scissors the blade order is reversed, and the cutting line stays visible to the left hand. Left-handed users can choose the PRYM Professional left-handed model or the model with symmetrical handles.
Tailor's shears or other scissors
Tailor's shears are meant for fabric only. For other tasks there are separate categories within scissors:
Light, multi-purpose scissors for pattern paper, cardboard and crafts, so your fabric shears stay sharp.
Embroidery scissors and small scissors for delicate work and cutting close to the fabric.
Thread snips and thread scissors for trimming thread ends next to the machine.
How to keep tailor's shears sharp
Reserve the shears for fabric only. Paper, cardboard and wire dull the blade quickly.
Wipe the blades after working with coated fabrics, glue or interfacing.
Every so often, put a drop of sewing machine oil on the pivot and wipe off the excess.
Store them in a sheath or a separate drawer, and don't let them fall. A drop onto the tip throws the blades out of alignment.
When the shears chew the fabric or don't cut all the way to the tip, it's time for professional sharpening.
Related guides:
Tailor's shears: how to choose by cutting length, weight and hand
Solingen scissors: what makes German steel special and how to keep it sharp
Who tailor's shears are for
This category is for dressmakers and tailors who cut fabric every day, fashion designers and studios that cut pattern pieces before fitting on a dress form, students putting together their first work kit, and sewing and fashion schools. HaBayit LaBubot also sells tailor's shears wholesale to schools, workshops and shops. For a quantity quote and advice on choosing a model, contact us by phone, WhatsApp or through the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between tailor's shears and regular scissors?
Tailor's shears have a longer blade, usually 20 to 30 cm, an offset handle that keeps the fabric flat on the table, and an edge suited to cutting fabric fibres. Regular scissors are shorter, have a straight handle and are mainly meant for paper and general use.
What length of tailor's shears suits beginners?
For most home sewists, a length of 20 to 24 cm is right: long enough for cutting out patterns, yet still light and easy to control. Lengths of 28 to 30 cm are better suited to those who cut a lot of fabric, multiple layers or heavy fabrics.
Can you cut pattern paper with tailor's shears?
Not recommended. Paper fibers wear the blade and dull it faster than fabric. It is best to keep a separate pair for pattern paper, for example from the category of lightweight multipurpose scissors.
What is the advantage of a bent handle on tailor's shears?
The bent handle lets you keep the lower blade flat on the table while cutting. The fabric doesn't lift or shift, and the cutting line comes out more accurate, especially on large pattern pieces.
When should I choose micro-serrated scissors?
When you work a lot with slippery fabrics such as silk, satin, chiffon or lining. The tiny serrations grip the fabric and stop it from escaping between the blades. In this category, micro-serration is available on the D.PERES SOLINGEN TURBO and PRYM Gold Edition models, and for regular fabrics a smooth blade is enough.
Are tailor's shears suitable for cutting leather?
Some models are also rated for leather: the sewing scissors with titanium-coated blades are designed for fabrics, thin leather, denim and canvas, and the FINNY PROFI in the Kretzer set is rated for fabric, leather and cardboard. For thick leather a dedicated tool is better, and in any case it's worth keeping a separate pair for leather so you don't wear down your fabric shears.
How do you keep tailor's shears sharp over time?
Use them for fabric only, wipe them after working with coated fabrics or interfacing, oil the pivot with a drop of machine oil from time to time, and store them in a sheath or a drawer so the edges don't get damaged.
How often should tailor's shears be sharpened?
There is no fixed number; it depends on the amount of work and the type of fabrics. The clear sign is when the shears start chewing the fabric, leaving frayed edges or not cutting all the way to the tip of the blade. Professional sharpening restores the edge without affecting blade alignment.
Are there tailor's shears for left-handers?
Yes. The category includes PRYM Professional left-handed tailor's shears, 21 cm long, with reversed blades so the cutting line is visible to the left hand. There are also scissors with symmetrical handles that suit either a right-hand or a left-hand grip.
What are pinking shears used for?
Pinking shears cut a zigzag edge that reduces fraying on woven fabrics, and are used to finish seam allowances when there is no overlocker and for decorative edges. The category includes PRYM pinking shears, 22 cm long, and 23 cm pinking shears that are also suitable for felt.