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Using A Seam Ripper What is the little ball for

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Have you ever wondered what that little ball is for on your seam ripper?

I’ve been sewing all my life and just found out a few years ago! I had been doing it wrong all this time.

I’ve even taken sewing lessons and no one ever explained it. I just thought it had no purpose…..but it does!

So I thought you might want to know, too!

What-is-the-ball-for? sewlicioushomedecor.com

Put the ball under the seam you want to rip out.

Put-the-ball-under-seam. The-edge-rips-the-seam-sewlicioushomedecor-com

The ball lets you glide the seam ripper through the seam as the edge cuts the seam. This makes ripping out a seam very easy and very quick!

The-edge-cuts-the-seam-sewlicioushomedecor-com

 

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If you want to see it in action..Pam Damour gives a demonstration below.

 

Watch the video sewlicioushomedecor.com

What is the ball for? Place the ball under the seam, the edge rips the seam. sewlicioiushomedecor.com

 

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Comments

  2. 1. Don’t recall if my seam rippers came with directions; are instructions on package? 2. I’ve got a couple of seam rippers that don’t have balls!🤭
    Reply

  3. I thought it was so you wouldn’t poke yourself.. but that seems silly because the sharp end is the longer end so hahaha.. that wasn’t a good guess back when I took home ec. My great grandma taught me how to sew when I was very young, but I took home ec in middle school and no one ever explained the correct was to use a seam ripper. For all the sewing my great grandma did, I’d be surprised if she didn’t use her ripper correctly and maybe I just never caught on. This is good to know though! Thanks for sharing this tip!
    Reply

  5. Awesome!! Thank You!! Haha! Never knew that!! 63 And still learning new things! Love it!! What a blessing you are!!! ❤

    Reply

  6. I've been sewing for 45 years and never knew what the little ball was for. I do a lot of mending, wish I knew that before. Thank you. Happy sewing.

    Reply

  7. Thank you so much! I even use it today but not the ball side! Even my instructor never talked about the ball side cis she never knew what’s its for! Thank you
    Reply

  8. The first time I used a seam ripper, I thought that’s what the little ball was for, and it really is very convenient. Was just a lucky guess … I guess 🙂
    Reply

  9. I have been seeing for over fifty years and never knew what that ball was for. One is never too old to learn .Thank you
    Reply

  10. OMG! You’re kidding! So many people did not know what the ball was for? Oh my, someone took time to put a cute little ball on the end of my seam ripper! It’s so pretty. Yeah, I’m being sarcastic. Walmart paying you to advertise with them? Don’t waste your time with a cheap ripper from Walmart. Spend a little extra money and get a good one. After using a good one, you will pitch that “cheap” piece of junk. If you do much ripping, get one that is comfortable to use and made from good metal. The word is ergonomics – also known as comfort design, functional design. Oh, Just in case, I keep one that folds in my pocket for “emergency” uses. –Have a great day:)


    Reply

    • It is amazing I’ve been sewing for years and never new what the ball was for thanks to Pinterest June Webster December 2017
      Reply

  13. Holy cow! I have been sewing since I was a kid , including sewing classes every summer @ the Sears center, grades 7-12 in school ,plus taking quilting lessons and I have never heard that before. As a matter of fact, I never even wondered what the ball was for! LOL Being a LEFTY, I have pretty much had to learn to do things my way. But, it's nice to know, that here's one more thing that I have always done backwards. LOL--- thank you and have a GREAT DAY!
    Reply

  18. Wow! It's great.I had seam ripper but till now I don't known how to use . Thank you for sharing.
    Reply

  20. That's a really nice seam ripper I've been sewing for 40 years and wasn't using it the right way...Thank you
    Reply

  24. Been sewing for 45 years and guess I didn't really know how to use a seam ripper properly. Thank you!
    Reply

  28. Not only does it cut fast, the main purpose of the little red ball is not only to slide right thru but it does not stick into the material as it would if the ball is on the top....also be very careful using it on any thing thin or sheer and all knit material....happy sewing....I just found this site....
    Reply

  30. I am 80 years old and have been sewing all my live and I did not know what the little red ball was for on the seam ripper. I have never heard anyone exspain it.
    Reply

  32. I have always used the sharp inside curve of the seam ripper tool like this to cut the "hole" after making a buttonhole with the automatic setting on my machine. Just remember to put a pin across the far end first so that stops you ripping right through the bar tack!
    Reply

  33. I want my money back! I bought one of those fancy seam ripper shavers (which I have never used successfully). Wow! Who knew - I just ripped a seam from a block in under 10 seconds (yes I did time it). I am so amazed at how easy it is and it doesn't rip your fabric! Thank you so much!
    Reply

  40. It also works great to rub over the holes ( especially with batiks) left after removing the thread...the fabric fills in great.
    Reply

  41. The way you show how to use the ripper - is there an other way to do it, then? I don't want to sound rude, but I was disappointed as I expected something sensational.
    Reply

      • I found this interesting because in all the sewing classes I have taken, the instruction has been NOT to rip up the seam but to slice through stitches on one side of the seam at 3 or 4 stitch intervals. Supposedly, they told us, this puts less stress on the fabric when you separate the sides. But I have to tell you, I like your way MUCH better--much faster.
        Reply

    • The video never mentions what the ball is for. It just states the ball goes down. Well, I learned on my own what the ball was for. The first time I cut my fabric I tried it with the ball down since it just seem to make since the ball being round and smooth it would not cut my fabric and it would glide easily over the fabric.
      Reply

  43. All my years sewing I had no idea I too was using the seam ripper incorrectly. Thank you for explaining. Maybe now I won't hate ripping out seams so much.
    Reply

  44. Muchas pero muchas gracias tantos años de uso y no sabia de esa bolita su uso! Dios te bendiga abrazos desde México!
    Reply

  45. Wow! I'm 65 years old and had no idea what that little ball was for. I can't wait to make a mistake so I can use it like you showed in your video. thanks!
    Reply

  48. Where might I purchase a nice seam ripper like in your video? By the way, I did know about the little ball but I know most do not.
    Reply


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