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To help you choose the best seam ripper for fabric, for the purposes of embroidery, cross-stitch or preparing fabric to be used by a sewing machine, we have tried out a multitude of top models. We preferred seam rippers that were easy to use and those that were made from ultra-durable and long-lasting components. We also liked seam rippers with built-in safety features, including balls to protect the untreated fabric. As a sewing enthusiast, this is one of the highly-rated tools that you can get.
The best seam ripper for fabric that we tried was easily the Dritz 638 Deluxe Seam Ripper. This seam ripper is available for a budget-friendly price and features several useful safety features, including a built-in safety ball and a clear protective cap. Keep reading to learn more about other high-quality seam rippers for fabric available for purchase.
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Budget-friendly sewing tool with plenty of high end features, including a durable hardened steel blade, making it easy to remove and cut, and safety features such as a built-in safety ball and a clear protective cap.
The Dritz 638 Deluxe Seam Ripper comes in at an extremely budget-friendly price point while offering many features in line with higher priced competitors, including an ultra-durable hardened metal blade that accurately and efficiently rips seams and removes stitches. This Dritz seam ripper is the best seam ripper for embroidery, thanks to a number of built-in safety features, including a safety ball and a transparent cap. We also loved the many different styles and sizes to choose from, suiting a variety of DIY projects.
The blade here is on the thinner side, which makes it great for fitting into cracks between seams, but can slow down the process a bit. Also, this is a bare-bones seam ripper and does not come with any useful accessories, such as trimming scissors. If you’re trying to decorate your sewing further, you might also want to look at the best fabric markers.
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Features a large ergonomic white handle that is comfortable to hold for long periods of use, with an ultra-sharp blade that won’t tug on seams, allowing for quick and easy cuts.
This Clover seam ripper is one of the sharpest seam rippers on the market, with an ultra-sharp blade that performs quick cuts without tugging on seams. We also loved the large ergonomic handle, which is easy to hold for long periods of use and assists with accuracy, and the fact that it ships with a protective sheath that it can be stored inside of when you are through crafting. If you need other tools to help with your crafting projects, then you should check out the best rubber mallet.
Though the handle is comfortable and ergonomic, it is made from plastic and not rubber, which does slightly impact long-term durability. Additionally, this seam ripper for fabric is only available in one size, which is nearly five inches in length with a 1 ⅝ inch long blade. If you need a place to keep your sewing equipment, you might also want our guide to the best women’s summer bag.
Award: MOST VERSATILE
WHY WE LIKE IT: Versatile multipack that includes 4 seam rippers in 2 different sizes, in addition to trimming scissors, convenient coverings and a handy storage bag.
This CampTek multipack ships as a five-piece set, including two large seam rippers, two small seam rippers and a pair of trimming scissors, in addition to including safety-enhancing coverings and a handy storage bag. We loved that each of the four seam rippers feature built-in safety balls and ship with transparent caps, further enhancing their safety ratings.
Though the blades on each of these seam rippers for fabric are sharp enough for most articles of clothing, there are sharper blades on the market and they could struggle with some materials, such as ultra-thick denim. Additionally, the plastic handles on these seam rippers are not as ergonomically designed as some, so may become uncomfortable during long use sessions. This is definitely one of the most useful sewing gadgets that you will use.
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: High-quality seam ripper made from durable components, such as stainless steel, and shipping with 5 removable blades, each sharp enough to handle the toughest of jobs.
The Crafter’s Companion 18950 Ultra Pro Seam Ripper ships with five removable blades that are each ultra-sharp, making this a perfect surgical seam ripper. We loved the durable and high-quality components available with his seam ripper, including a stainless steel handle that is rust-resistant and designed to last for years. This is the sharpest seam ripper available for purchase and is the best seam ripper for cross stitch.
This is a professional-grade seam ripper and, as such, there aren’t many safety features here, though it does ship with a plastic cap that covers the blade. Also, this seam ripper for fabric does not ship with any useful accessories, such as a storage bag or trimming scissors. You might also find the best magnifying glass useful on your next sewing project.
Award: MOST COMFORTABLE GRIP
WHY WE LIKE IT: Foldable design, for safety, and an ergonomic and comfortable padded rubber handle, with a hole on the end so it can be hung up when not in use.
The Singer 50002 ProSeries Folding Seam Ripper features an ultra-comfortable padded rubber hand that is designed to reduce hand fatigue during long-term use sessions. We also loved the large built-in hole along the back of the seam ripper, which allows it to be hung up for the purposes of storage. The sharp point easily folds into the body, for safety, and the compact design makes it a cinch to squeeze into any sewing kit.
Though this is a useful seam ripper for fabric, it is available in one size only, and it is on the larger side, which may impact those looking to perform surgical rips. Additionally, this seam ripper does not ship with any accessories, such as a storage bag or trimming scissors. If you love crafting of all kinds you’ll also be interested in our guide to the best spray paint.
Award: BEST FOR SAFETY
WHY WE LIKE IT: Includes several features designed to enhance safety, including a large ball point next to the blade, a sturdily designed cover and an anti-slip handle.
The Prym Large Stitch Seam Ripper is designed from the ground up to allow for safe operation, with an anti-slip handle to reduce accidents, a ball point affixed next to the blade and a durable cover that easily snaps in place. We also loved the durable hardened steel blade, which we found appropriate for most tasks, and the ergonomically designed rubber handle, which effectively reduces hang fatigue during long use sessions.
Though the blade is plenty efficient, this seam ripper for fabric is on the larger side and is only available in the one size so it may not fit all hands. Also, the larger-than-average size makes it so it may not in all sewing kits, so be sure to measure before purchasing.
Award: BEST FOR ARTHRITIS SUFFERERS
WHY WE LIKE IT: Designed to match the contours of the human hand, making it ideal for arthritis sufferers or those with carpal tunnel syndrome, thanks to the comfortable and cushioned rubber design.
This Fons & Porter Ergonomic seam ripper is designed to offer comfort and fatigue-free use to arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome sufferers, with a form factor that matches the natural contours of the hand and featuring a cushioned and ergonomically designed rubber handle. We also loved the compact size, which easily slides into most sewing kits, and the included safety ball to offer protection for fabric during use.
Though the built-in safety ball is nice, we did find that the plastic protective cap tended to fall off, which could be an issue as you root around your sewing kit looking for the seam ripper. Additionally, this is not the sharpest tip among seam rippers available for purchase, though it is adequate for use with most common clothing items.
To help narrow down to the above list, we tended to prefer seam rippers with ultra-sharp tips, or blades, that easily cut through seams without leaving any debris or fabric in their wake. To that end, we admired tips and blades made from hardened steel and those available in a number of different sizes, to suit a large variety of sewing or crafting projects.
As far as safety, we preferred seam rippers with plenty of safety-enhancing features, such as built-in safety balls, which help to protect the untreated fabric as you go about working. We also liked seam rippers that shipped with durable protective caps and those that featured foldable designs, the latter allowing the blade to quite literally disappear when not in use.
We also liked seam rippers that were compact enough to store in most sewing kits or featured other storage-enhancing features, such as built-in hanging holes. Finally, we liked seam rippers that shipped with additional accessories, such as scissor trimmers, for slicing away errant and fabric, and durable storage bags. For more quality product recommendations like this, check out our guide to the best shovel.
