→ Thread Count Lab: ╳ Beautiful Scissors

╳ Most people have a few pairs of scissors lying around in drawers used for sewing or general purposes and these days, designs are plain and functional, but in the 19th Century they were ornate treasured objects, and it is the decorative handles of early antique scissors which make them so visually interesting. Not only are scissors useful, they can also be extremely beautiful. They come in all shapes and sizes, with many different designs for a multitude of purposes. Nowadays they nearly always have a matronly appearance, however that hasn’t always been the case. These hand-operated cutting instruments consist of a pair of metal blades pivoted so that the sharpened edges slide against each other when the handles (bows) opposite to the pivot are closed.

╳ There are many types of scissors and shears for different purposes, for example children's scissors, used only on paper, have dull blades and rounded corners to ensure safety and scissors used to cut hair or fabric must be much sharper. The largest types of scissors are known as ‘shears’ and these are used to cut metal, or to trim shrubs, and must have very strong, sharp blades. Early hand-forged scissors often have the initials of the maker stamped on them, and were often very large, for cutting leather for example. Sometimes they were made to commemorate special occasions like coronations or royal weddings.

╳ Other specialised scissors include sewing scissors, which often have one sharp point and one blunt point for intricate cutting of fabric, and nail scissors, which sometimes have curved blades for cutting fingernails and toenails. Special kinds of shears include ‘pinking’ shears, which have notched blades that cut cloth to give it a wavy edge, and ‘thinning shears’ which have teeth that cut every second hair strand, rather than every strand giving the illusion of thinner hair.

╳ More interesting kinds include Grape Scissors that have a ridge along one blade, and are used for gripping a small bunch to pass to guests at a grand dinner party. ‘Sewing Chatelaine’ scissors’ refer to the French term ‘chatelaine’ which means "mistress of a castle, chateau or stately home", and dates back to the Middle Ages. Referring to the ornamental clasp or hook from which chains were hung from the waist, holding perhaps, a purse, watch, keys, scissors or thimble case, the sewing chatelaine became a popular ornamental appendage worn by Victorian ladies at their waist, but disappeared when fashion changed and skirts were no longer full and long. ‘Ceremonial’ scissors are often presented for, ceremonial ribbon-cutting events such as building openings or a village fête.

╳ The kind of scissors we especially love here at Thread Count Lab are Chinese scissors whose design hasn’t changed over hundreds of years. Traditionally forged and hand- shaped from steel, the relatively short blades are simultaneously both delicate enough and tough enough to cut silk or soft sheet steel and the great thing about their design is that they are equally well-suited for left handed people too.

╳ The romance of ‘tools for life’ has been lost on modern folk however one company which still holds true to sound design with a nod to the past is Merchant & Mills: purveyors of patterns, notions, cloth and all things irresistible for the seamstress. They offer instructive weekend courses in dressmaking and short courses in bag-making and retail a range of interesting, useful and beautifully made things. All the goods are hand packed and their packaging is divinely ‘old school’ with strong images announcing the product titles in bold, capital letters with pen-and-ink style black and white illustrations. What a joy to behold. We particularly love their selection of patterns for making bespoke clothes as well as their rationale: “Couture is French for dressmaking . . . at its very best. Merchant & Mills was formed to return couture to the public. We want you to experience the deep satisfaction that comes from making bespoke clothes for yourself. “

╳ Images (top to bottom)

Hair Scissors

15cm* 10cm

Pinking Shears

Merchant & Mills

Solid Silver Grape Scissors, 1901

6.5”* 2.25”

Mayfield & Sons

Merchant & Mills:

Postcard

Dressmaking Pins

Mixed Notions Set