Best Left Handed Scissors for Cutting Fabric

Are you a left handed professional dressmaker or amateur seamstress? If so you’ve come to the right place. If you’ve tried to cut fabric with right handed scissors that are easy to find, you probably already know that they either slow you down or cause pain in your hand because they’re not ergonomic for you and awkward to use. This article will help you find the best left handed scissors for cutting fabric money that can buy. We have comprehensively reviewed several different models with thorough research.

Different cutting tasks need different types of scissors. If you want to cut fabric, your best choice would be to buy fabric shears, also known as fabric scissors, instead of all-purpose scissors. That’s because all-purpose scissors are designed to cut through paper and other materials that do not show too much resistance while being cut, unlike fabric. If you try to cut fabric with all-purpose scissors, you’ll find that you can’t cut cleanly through and will often leave behind inconsistent cuts and mangled edges due to the lack of sharpness required. Similarly, you can’t use hair cutting scissors or pet grooming scissors because they’re too small.

To avoid such problems and get the best cuts of your fabric, fabric shears were designed. Fabric shears will provide a consistent, precise, and clean-cut through the fabric.

Additionally, if you are a lefty and are going to cut fabric on a regular basis, you should choose left-handed scissors that have reversed blades; otherwise, cutting fabric will become tough and uncomfortable. The blades will block your line of sight, as the top blade will be outside the marked line on the fabric instead of inside it. You’ll also feel like you’re bending the fabric instead of cutting it because when you hold right-handed scissors in your left hand, you’ll end up pushing the cutting blades apart.

Left-handed scissors have a reversed blade design that makes it comfortable and convenient for left-handed people to effectively cut through the fabric and see where you are cutting exactly.

In a Hurry? Here are Our Top Left Handed Scissors for Cutting Fabric…

TOP PICK

Fiskars Left-hand 8″ Bent

• 10.5″ overall
• 8″ blade
• 0.2 Lbs
• Cuts through multiple layers of fabric

Check current price

RUNNER UP

Mundial Red Dot 8.5″ 661LH Dressmaker Shears

• 11.2″ overall
• 8.5″ blade
• 0.2 Lbs
• Cuts through multiple layers of fabric

Check current price

FOR UPHOLSTERY

Kai 7250L 10 Inch True Left Handed

• 12.6″ overall
• 10″ blade
• 0.54 Lbs
• Balanced for fatigue free cutting of all fabrics

Check current price

Types of Sewing Scissors

All-purpose Scissors

All-purpose scissors, also known as office scissors, are designed to cut paper and things that provide less or no resistance as compared to fabric. These scissors are generally inexpensive. Even though these scissors can be used to cut fabric, it’s best that you don’t cut fabric with them as your cuts can be inconsistent and you can have mangled edges due to the blades not being sharp enough. The blades will also quickly lose their sharpness and can even stop cutting paper properly.

However, if you want to use them to cut fabric, then make sure that they are used only for fabric and nothing else. If you use them to cut both fabric and paper, the blades will lose their sharpness fast. Many all-purpose scissors come in both left and right-handed versions. So as a left-handed person, these will be the easiest to find.

Fabric shears

If you need the perfect scissors for cutting fabric, you should choose fabric shears. Fabric shears are the most used and important sewing tools and are specially aimed at cutting fabric. What you need to check when buying the perfect shears is the sharpness of their blades. It is necessary to have the blades sharp enough to cut through more than one layer of fabric at once. The size of these scissors should preferably be medium to large, since small scissors are inefficient when cutting through fabric. These scissors can be a bit on the expensive side as compared to office scissors, but they are worth it if you want a hassle-free experience and regularly work with fabric. These scissors also come in separate versions for left-handed and right-handed people, but not all brands make them.

Pinking shears

Pinking shears consist of jagged edges, which create small zig-zag cuts in the fabric. This is what differentiates them from regular scissors that have straight edges. Pinking shears help in preventing fraying of fabric and are great for cutting curved seams. These shears can be used as alternatives to using a Serger machine. Ideally, pinking shears are to be used for fabrics that can easily fray, like, soft linens, cotton, and denim. It is also advised not to use pinking shears for cutting paper as it will dull their sharpness. These range in length from 7 to 10.5 inches and have thicker and heavier blades than other shears. Unfortunately, the few scissor makers that used to make left-handed pinking shears in the past have stopped doing so now.

Upholstery shears

Upholstery Scissors are heavy-duty , perfect for cutting thick upholstery fabric, leathers, vinyl, or multiple layers of fabric at once.

Embroidery scissors

Embroidery scissors are small scissors with thin blades that are designed to snip away threads that are close to the fabric. These scissors are delicate and have very short, sharp, and pointy blades, designed to get between threads and pick out the ones you want to cut. These scissors can cut one to two threads at a time and with precision. However, these can not be used for cutting fabric or thick strings but are perfect to use for hand-sewing or with a sewing machine in order to cut threads as you sew. Embroidery scissors are also available in right and left-handed versions.

Applique scissors

Applique scissors can be characterized as medium-size scissors with a duckbill on one blade. These are specifically designed to cut applique fabric after you stitch it down and before you sew over the raw edges of the fabric with a final satin stitch. These scissors have a unique design that allows you to cut very close to the stitching line without cutting a hole in your base fabric, as the duckbill blade pushes the lower layer out of the way. Applique scissors are also available for lefties.

Electric scissors

Electric scissors are used to cut through multiple layers of fabric, carpet, or other materials with minimal to no effort at all. They are essentially electric shears which cut without having to move the blades manually. Electric scissors are very beneficial for people who suffer from arthritis or any other joint or muscle conditions. These scissors are, however, not made for cutting with precision or detail. But when you have to cut a lot of material, these scissors come in handy and are more productive than other manual scissors. Electric scissors are ambidextrous and can be used by everyone.

Rotary cutters

Rotary cutters are not scissors; however, they are frequently used to cut fabric. It consists of a circular disc with a cutting blade around the circumference and set to be able to spin inside a holder. These are very efficient as compared to scissors in cutting straight, pinking, or scallop edges or cutting multiple layers of fabric, but cutters with small diameter blades can even handle applique and other intricate patterns very well. They are more comfortable for the hands and wrists and also allow you to cut a long, uninterrupted stretch just by applying a little pressure. You just have to set your left handed tape measure down along the edge of your work table and let that guide while cutting.

Left handers can especially benefit from rotary cutters if they can’t find left-handed scissors for their specific needs. Ambidextrous and left handed rotary cutters for fabric are readily available and can do most jobs just fine.

What to Look for When Buying Fabric Scissors

Fabric type

Different types of fabric require different types of fabric scissors. Generally, however, good fabric scissors should be able to cut smoothly through the type of fabrics that you work with the most. For heavier and thicker materials, like leather and denim, heavy-duty or electric scissors might work the best. For crafting or quilting, fabrics such as cotton and felt, which are somewhat stiff, can be cut with most scissors easily. Lastly, slippery fabrics, like chiffon, silk, or satin and other garment fabrics with drape, can be easily cut with scissors with micro-serrated blades. Serrated blades grab onto the slippery fabric, so it won’t slip as you cut it.

How will it be used?

Different types of crafters work with different cutting techniques. Quilters mainly make straight cuts and deal with stiffer fabrics, whereas garment makers have to work with fabrics that drape and need to make more curved cuts. The most suitable and ideal fabric scissors for you will depend on your specific craft.

Quilters ideally use rotary cutters or long-bladed fabric scissors as they often cut multiple layers of fabric in straight lines. Garment sewers require fabric shears with ergonomic handles for precise cuts and curves. All-purpose scissors are ideally suited for crafters that work with a variety of materials.

Type and length of blade

It is important to choose the right type of blades that are high quality since you need something that will be able to smoothly cut through multiple layers of fabric rather than cause the material to fray. If the blades of the scissors are not made from good quality material, the scissors will be ineffective. You can choose from a variety of materials, like hardened stainless steel or carbon, or bonded titanium, since these are all known for their durability and sharpness. It is the quality of the blade that determines the life of the blade and when it will require resharpening.

Apart from the quality, you will also have to consider the length of the blade to determine the scissors’ usefulness. For crafts such as quilting or for cutting swathes of fabric for an outfit, you will want to use a longer blade that cuts through long sections of fabric. Usually, the length of the blades on scissors is less than 6 inches long; however, the blades on a pair of shears for these tasks are longer. Longer blades are also great for cutting heavy fabrics such as leather and denim.

The more precise cuts and tasks won’t need such a long blade. For the purpose of cutting seams and facings, snipping off pieces of fabric, or for precise cutting in tight corners, shorter blades will be perfect.

The blades can come with two angles, straight or angled. Dressmakers will need angled (or bent) shears to keep the blades flat on the table while cutting. This will help you to make long, uninterrupted cuts. Choosing scissors with blades that are made from high-grade steel that can be sharpened will allow you to speed up the fabric cutting process and leave a clean edge.

The edges of the scissors come in three types- Bevelled, Convex, and Serrated.

Bevelled edges are mostly found on garment shears and are very sharp and durable.

Convex edges are mostly found on embroidery and office scissors and give us the sharpest edge and the smoothest cut, however, they are also extremely fragile and might lose their edge pretty fast.

Serrated edges come with a toothed or saw-like edge ground into the cutting surface. They work the best on slippery fabrics since they grip as they cut.

Handle

There is a variety of sizes, styles, and materials available to select from when it comes to scissor handles. Ergonomic handle scissors are the perfect choice to cut with comfort and provide enough kinetic energy for your cutting.

You can use scissors with different-sized or equal-sized holes in the handle. A few things to remember while using shears with different-sized holes in the handle is that your thumb should fit comfortably in the top hole and your middle, ring, and little fingers fit in the bottom larger hole. Whereas for scissors that have two equal-sized holes in the handle, you should see that your thumb comfortably fits through the top hole, and either your index and middle or your middle and ring finger fits in the bottom hole.

The different materials that the handles might come in are plastic, rubber, or metal. However, what is important to consider when you choose a particular type of handle on your pair of scissors is the comfort that it provides while cutting. If you choose a very large or small pair of scissors compared to your hand, it will tire your hand out quickly.

Weight

The weight of the sewing scissors will depend on the material that they’re made of. Scissors made completely from metal will weigh fairly more than those that come with plastic handles. Depending on your job and why you need the scissors, you’ll have to decide which pair of scissors to buy since buying heavy scissors for sewing might make it very uncomfortable for you to use for an extended period.

Is it truly left handed?

Left-handed scissors differ from right-handed ones completely. There is no such thing as ambidextrous scissors. The difference between left and right-handed scissors will be explained in detail in another article. However, you should know that ambidextrous scissors are not really ambidextrous for starters since only their handles are changed designed to be held equally comfortably in either hand.

For scissors to be completely comfortable for left-handed people, the blades have to be reversed; that is, when you hold the scissors in your left hand with the blades pointing away from you, the blade moving upwards when open will always be on the left, which makes the cutting line visible. This is not what you’ll find in so-called ambidextrous scissors. Therefore, a clear difference has to be understood between left handed fabric scissors and right-handed ones.

Best Left Handed Fabric Shears

Gingher Knife Edge Bent Lefthanded 8 Inch Shears

The Gingher Knife Edge Bent Lefthanded 8 inch shears are truly made for left-handed people and measure 10 inches overall. The high carbon cutlery steel and double-plated chrome-over-nickel blades ensure that the shears are durable and give a flawless performance. These scissors are precisely ground and their sharp straight-edge blades cut right to the tip, as they glide easily through multiple layers of fabric.

These left handed Gingher scissors have a bent handle that holds the fabric flat on the table to provide accurate and precise cuts and is designed to provide a good level of comfort to you. The weight of these shears is 0.55 pounds and blade length is 8 inches. These scissors are ideal for cutting seams, patterns, and long swaths of fabric.

Fiskars 1294508697WJ Left-hand 8″ Bent

These Fiskars 1294508697WJ Left-hand Bent scissors consist of high-grade, stainless steel blades which provide a lasting sharp edge and cut all the way to the tip with precision. These are also lightweight, weighing about 0.2 pounds, and have ergonomically sculpted handles that offer very good cutting control. The overall length of these left handed tailoring scissors is 10.5 inches, while the blades measure 8 inches. The handle is bent, keeping the fabric flat on the table and providing a precise cut. These scissors are ideal for cutting a wide variety of materials, including denim, silk, and multiple layers of fabric. These come with a lifetime warranty.

Mundial Red Dot 8 1/2-Inch 661LH Dressmaker Shears

These Red Dot 8 1/2-Inch Dressmaker Shears by Mundial are made with fine stainless steel, honed, and polished blades that provide a lasting sharp edge. They are of really good quality, which makes them durable, their blades are thin and sharp, and these are lightweight as well, weighing 0.02 pounds. These left handed dressmaking scissors have ergonomic handles, which makes them very comfortable to use. The sharpness of these scissors allows you to cut through materials like denim and canvas as well. Its reversed handle and blade are perfect for left-handed people to use and make it easier to hold it.

Kai N5210L 8 Inch True Left Handed Scissors

These Kai N5210L 8 Inch True Left Handed Scissors are made with hardened stainless steel blades, which allow you to cut through multiple layers of denim with comfort while trimming cotton without any fabric slippage. These left-handed fabric shears are really good for left-handed people since they have a left-handed grip and blades. They’re also lightweight, weighing 0.25 pounds, have an overall length of 9.8 inches, and have ergonomically soft handles that allow fatigue-free cutting on all types of fabric. These scissors allow you to make precise cuts on the fabric. Their edges are sharp, which makes the cutting process more comfortable.

Pink Power Electric Fabric Scissors

These Pink Power Electric Fabric Scissors are compact and lightweight with an ergonomic handle and two specialty blades. One is for paper and fabric and the other is for cardboard and metal. It is very easy to change from one to the other. These crafting scissors weigh less than 1 pound and are less than 9 inches long, making them easy to use and store.

Electric scissors are ambidextrous because you don’t need to manually work the blades, making them suitable to use with either hand. They are heavy-duty scissors that are meant to cut through almost any material so you can use them for a variety of craft projects. It has a power switch on the top that’s easily reached by the thumb. You just push it forward and release to start cutting. Once you stop cutting just push the button again to turn it off.

These will easily cut through almost any crafting material you can think of, including leather, carpet, and even sheet metal. They are great for a variety of projects, like dressmaking, quilting, or even opening packages. They can be used for up to two hours before needing to be recharged using the included charger, and it comes with a lithium-ion battery.

Left Handed Upholstery Scissors

Kai 7250L 10 Inch True Left Handed Scissors

The Kai 7250L 10 inch Scissors are made with high carbon stainless steel, which gives the blades a sharp edge and cut all the way to the tip with precision. These scissors are great for cutting all kinds of fabric, but especially tough upholstery and leather. They are well balanced so you can be sure to avoid wrist and finger fatigue. These scissors feature a very smooth cutting action and require very little force to cut. They weigh about 8.7 ounces and meaure 12.6 inches overall. They are a bit on the expensive side but for upholstery scissors, they’re worth it.

Left Handed Applique Scissors

Havel’s Double-Pointed Duckbill Applique 6″ Left Handed Scissors

The Havel’s Double-Pointed Duckbill Applique Scissors have sharp, double-pointed blades that make cutting tight corners and angles a breeze. They have a wide duckbill-shaped edge that lifts and separates the top layer from the fabric underneath so that you don’t accidentally cut through those as well. The thin lower blades make it easy to cut close to your stitches. The handles are double-curved to keep your hands out of the way while you work. These left handed duckbill scissors are also very lightweight, weighing about 0.01 pounds, and measure 8 inches in total. They have large finger holes that add comfort and make it easy to cut when you’re tired or if you have arthritis. These scissors are great for applique cutting because they minimize the risk of ruining your fabric.

Best Left Handed Embroidery Scissors

Havel’s Double-Curved Embroidery Scissors 3.5″-Left Handed

The Havel’s Double-Curved 3.5″ Left Handed Embroidery Scissors are angled to reach easily over any hand or machine hoop. These have a pointed tip on the curved blades, which cuts super close without harming the fabric, and the length makes it easy to use and maneuver. These are the best left handed sewing scissors that are suitable for home décor and arts and craft projects.

Left-Handed Stork Sewing Scissors

These Left-Handed Stork Sewing Scissors have beautiful and unique stainless steel blades and handle, perfect for any detail work. It can be used for embroidery, sewing, or any fine hand-crafted work. The stork design of these scissors is centuries old. French midwives used them along with seamstresses. Although midwifery has become less familiar with the emergence of hospitals, these scissors are still used for sewing and embroidery. Their thin and pointy blades make them perfect for reaching close to the fabric and snipping tiny threads. The overall length is 5″ and the blades are 1-1/4″ long.

FAQs on Left-handed Sewing Scissors