A Textile Artist's Scissor Obsession:

A Sharp Fixation

It's been exactly 3 days since my last scissors purchase, and I'm already eyeing that limited-edition Japanese embroidery pair on Etsy. My husband thinks I'm browsing for "normal things" when I disappear into my craft room for hours, but really I'm just reorganizing my scissors collection. Again. For the third time this week.

The Gateway Drug: My First "Good" Scissors

It all started innocently enough. I was a naive quilter armed with nothing but a $4 pair of orange-handled Fiskar scissors from the grocery store. They worked fine for cutting coupons and the occasional fabric mishap, but then I walked into that boutique fabric shop.

"Oh honey," the shop manger said, watching me hack away at a lovely quilting cotton with my bargain blades, "you need proper fabric scissors."

Twenty minutes and many dollars later, I walked out with my first pair of Gingher 8-inch shears. The way they glided through fabric like butter... the satisfying snip sound... the weight of quality German steel in my hands. I was hooked.

The Slippery Slope to Scissors Hoarding

What started as one "investment piece" quickly spiraled into a full-blown obsession. I told myself I needed different scissors for different tasks. That's reasonable, right? RIGHT?

My current collection includes:

• Many pairs of fabric scissors (ranging from 4-inch embroidery snips to 12-inch industrial shears scattered all over the house)
• 6 pairs of thread scissors (because apparently I need options for different thread weights)
• 6 pairs of paper scissors (absolutely NOT to be confused with fabric scissors - the horror!)- all getting rather dull...
• 5 pairs of appliqué scissors (3 with those adorable duck-bill tips, plus 2 double-curve appliqué scissors in different sizes because precision matters)
• 3 pairs of finely serrated scissors (including my beloved Karen K Buckley scissors - those ergonomic handles are a godsend for those of us with hand issues)
• 1 pair of pinking shears (one for cotton, one for everything else, obviously)
• 3 chenille cutters (for creating that perfect fuzzy texture)
• 1 power rotary cutter (because sometimes you need to cut through 12 layers like a boss)
• 1 pair of electric power scissors (for when hand cramps meet thick canvas or multiple layers)

• 1 pair of utility scissors

And yes, I have a wall-mounted scissors pegboard. And a charging station for my power tools (yes, the electric scissors and rotary cutter need their own special spot). And a backup pair of scissors to cut the packaging of new scissors because I refuse to dull my good ones on those impossible plastic and cardboard "holders".

The Daily Struggles

Living with a scissors addiction isn't easy. I can't walk past a craft store without "just browsing" the scissors section. I have strong opinions about blade angles and handle ergonomics. I've named some of my scissors (Mr. Snippy, the Gingher twins, Big Bertha my 12-inch industrial shears, and Buzzy my electric power scissors).

The worst part? I actually use them. All of them. I'm not a scissors hoarder - I'm a scissors enthusiast. There's a difference, and I will die on this hill while clutching my titanium-coated precision snips.

The Support Group I Need

I thought about finding a Scissors Anonymous group but discovered there isn't one. So I'm thinking of forming my own: "Sharp Objects for Textile Artists" (SOFTA). We could meet monthly at the local quilt shop, and I bet membership would grow quickly. I'm imagining Janet bringing her collection of vintage buttonhole scissors, and we'd all have to sit down and fan ourselves.

Embracing the Obsession

I've come to terms with my scissors obsession. Some people collect stamps or coins. I collect precision cutting instruments that make my textile art possible. When I'm working on a delicate appliqué and reach for the perfect pair of scissors - the ones with just the right curve and weight - I feel pure joy.

Plus, let's be honest: having the right scissors for the job isn't just about perfectionism. It's about safety, efficiency, and producing quality work. At least that's what I tell myself as I add another pair to my cart.

And have you SEEN all the scissors on Amazon? It's like they know my weakness and display them in an endless scroll of temptation. "Customers who bought this also bought..." is basically my shopping list at this point.

In Conclusion

So yes, I'm addicted to scissors. And no, I don't want to recover. My husband has learned to budget for my "sharp habits," and my work has never looked better. The only thing that would make me happier would be finding a vintage pair of German embroidery scissors at a garage sale for $2.

Hi, my name is Miki, and I'm scissors-obsessed. And I'm okay with that.

P.S. - If you're reading this and thinking "she only has 30+ pairs of scissors and cutting tools, that's not that many," please contact me immediately. We need to be friends.