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Seam rippers are every crafters trusty best friend. We wouldn’t have so many beautifully finished projects without them!
They allow you to unpick your work and start again without any fuss or damage to the fabric. Every sewist, quilter and embroider should have one in their kit which is why we’ve collected the best seam rippers on the market to help you.
We’re going to cover what a seam ripper is and suggest some of our favourites, so you can add this nifty little tool to your crafting arsenal.
Ready? It’s time to do some unpicking!
Seam rippers are small sewing tools that are used to unpick or unsew stitches in your work.
Most seam rippers have forked, metal heads that slide underneath the stitch. However, there are now lots of different types of seam rippers available including electric, ergonomic and scissor-style seam rippers (we cover the best of each later in this article).
To use a seam ripper, you first thread the metal head underneath the stitch. Then you pull the seam ripper up and the stitch should pop open, leaving you with thread and fabric that’s ready to stitch again.
Best electric seam ripper

Electric seam rippers are a brilliant way of unpicking your work quickly. They have very small blades which allow you to trim away stitches without damaging the fabric underneath. This is much quicker than hand-picking and ideal for crafters working on large or numerous projects at once.
The Galaxy Notions electric seam ripper is ideal for sewists and quilters alike. It’s battery-operated, meaning you won’t get caught up with wires or rely on nearby plug sockets.
It also has precision blades which are both durable and give a high cutting performance. Plus it comes with a little cleaning tool so you can brush away all the loose threads your seam ripper picks up.
If you’re looking for one of the best quality seam rippers, this is a great option.
Best seam ripper for quilters

The Singer Ripper set is perfect for quilters thanks to its comfortable grip handle and variety of sizes. It comes with a large and small ripper which is perfect for unpicking everything from large quilts to tiny buttonholes. This duo is also very sharp so is fitted with clickable plastic lids.
Use these seam rippers in conjunction with your sewing machine and you’re on to a winner! If you’re looking for a new sewing machine head over to our collection of the best sewing machines.
Best budget seam ripper

This nifty little set from Lucokefe Store is one of the cheapest seam rippers sets on the market. It comes with two large and two small seam rippers, as well as thread cutters and a handy bag to store them all in.
Beginners will love this mini kit as it’s a great introduction to the world of sewing tools. It would make a lovely present for a friend who’s interested in starting their sewing journey.
Best seam ripper for embroidery

This unpicking tool by Clover is one of the best-quality seam rippers on the market. Its ergonomic design and small but sharp blade is ideal for working under tiny embroidery stitches.
It’s precise, affordable and, most importantly, comfortable to hold. Embroiders will love using it but it’s also a brilliant all-rounder.
Best seam ripper for embroidery

This unpicking tool by Clover is one of the best-quality seam rippers on the market. Its ergonomic design and small but sharp blade is ideal for working under tiny embroidery stitches.
It’s precise, affordable and, most importantly, comfortable to hold. Embroiders will love using it but it’s also a brilliant all-rounder.
Best seam ripper for embroidery

This unpicking tool by Clover is one of the best-quality seam rippers on the market. Its ergonomic design and small but sharp blade is ideal for working under tiny embroidery stitches.
It’s precise, affordable and, most importantly, comfortable to hold. Embroiders will love using it but it’s also a brilliant all-rounder.
Phoebe is an experienced craft writer. As well as writing for craft websites and magazines, Phoebe is a freelance copywriter and content producer with work both in print and online. Her work spans the tech, homes, DIY and small business advice. Aside from content writing, Phoebe’s main passions are travelling and crafting (diamond painting, paint by numbers and embroidery are her favourites). She’s backpacked across South East Asia and recently hit her goal of 30 countries under 30 years old!
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