electric stitch removers

[Redina]

Anyone have a preference on electric stitch removers? I feel the need to have one "just in case" and I am torn between the Wahl and Peggy's.

[RANDIM]

I have only used Peggy's and it works really great. The one I have is the cordless, rechargable one. Just be very careful that you are only buzzing the thread as it will go through fabric.

[signman]

go to Wallyworld or any discount store-look for the 'cordless' (battery powered) personal shaver/trimmer.
They go for about $20 or LESS and work just as good! Even the electric ones are less than half the price of one you buy 'just for embroidery' so shop around first!
We had the Peggy's, and it just wasn't worth the price-tried a battery powered Norelco shaver my son had-did just as good a job!
But we were tearing holes in too many shirts so we haven't used it in 2 years. I have Xacto knife I use in graphics every day-with a fresh blade and carefull hand I can zip right through the back stitching faster than we ever got the shaver to work.

[Rod or Sharon]

Don't waste your money on the Peanut or any of the hair clippers---they may look the same but they aren't. We tried them. Peggy's is the only one to purchase and it works great. There is a trick to using it and you need to be very careful or you can cut your garment. Shave from the back side of the garment and Rod holds the Peggy's upsidedown with his finger underneath the area to be shaved. We have seldom ruined a garment. It takes patience and a light hand but works very well.
Sharon

[Redina]

Thank you for the input. I will take all under consideration and go from there. I actually have an old electric shaver hanging around, might try it on an expendable sewout first.

[debndukes]

Peggy's all the way. Another tip I use alot is similar to Rods, where I hold the area to be shaved from below with my fingers, but I also re-hoop the garment if it is out of a hoop and make sure to slightly stretch the garment as to "open" the fabric for easier removal of the stitches.

[Rod or Sharon]

To add just a bit on what my wife said about the clippers....

I would have to agree with Sharon. We bought one of the cheap versions ....the Peanut.....after listening to all the hype about them being "just" as good as the Peggy's Stitch eraser. They are not. They just do not work as well....much more chance of ruining a garment because you have to be 3 times as aggresive with them to cut threads, etc, etc....The Peggy's has a different cutting blade, one made for cutting threads....

The Peggy's Stitch eraser has definitly paid for itself since we bought it. But, to be fair about it's use. It works great on satin stitch columns...the wider the column the better it works. It does alright on some underlay as long as the stitch does not get too short. It does not do very well on large fills unless the stitch length is a long one.

I use it primarily from the bobbin side of the garment but have very carefully used it on the top thread side also.

One of the key items in removing stitches is the use of a good backing....it is the only real protection from the garment getting clipped...

Just my 2 cents...

Rod Springer

[Rod or Sharon]

To add just a bit on what my wife said about the clippers....

I would have to agree with Sharon. We bought one of the cheap versions ....the Peanut.....after listening to all the hype about them being "just" as good as the Peggy's Stitch eraser. They are not. They just do not work as well....much more chance of ruining a garment because you have to be 3 times as aggresive with them to cut threads, etc, etc....The Peggy's has a different cutting blade, one made for cutting threads....

The Peggy's Stitch eraser has definitly paid for itself since we bought it. But, to be fair about it's use. It works great on satin stitch columns...the wider the column the better it works. It does alright on some underlay as long as the stitch does not get too short. It does not do very well on large fills unless the stitch length is a long one.

I use it primarily from the bobbin side of the garment but have very carefully used it on the top thread side also.

One of the key items in removing stitches is the use of a good backing....it is the only real protection from the garment getting clipped...

Just my 2 cents...

Rod Springer

[Aaron]

We just use a razor blade to cut the bobbin side of the thread and then pick it out from the front. You have to be very careful and its not a fast process but it works well.

[signman]

Learning to use the razor blade method is a good way to get a box of shirts and sweats for test sewouts....LOL...definitely teaches you what the backing is good for!
Soaks up blood, too!