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Good way to remove those little loose threads after unpicking a seam

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AskAlice Fri 30-Jan-26 10:57:50

I was watching a YouTube video about handy gadgets to have when machine sewing. One of them was an unpicker with a little rubber pad on the end which you used to pull off any loose threads after unpicking a seam. It cost £7 to £8.

As I already have several new seam rippers without rubber pads, I decided to try and improvise. I took a pencil eraser from my grandchildren's pencil case that I keep handy for them when they visit, and tried it out on an unpicked seam just rubbing it lightly against the little threads. It worked beautifully, and all for the cost of a cheap rubber eraser! I may buy a dark-coloured eraser for darker fabrics, and keep the white one for light-coloured fabrics.

Just wanted to share, in case it comes in handy for anyone else...

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icanhandthemback Fri 30-Jan-26 11:08:11

That's a good idea. I have found that my favourite new found tool is the lint brush with a hole in the end to position the needle in place when replacing it. Apparently, I don't put the needle in far enough when I replace it so this is a great little tool to stop me from threatening the bobbin case!

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Squiffy Fri 30-Jan-26 11:35:21

What a brilliant idea, AskAlice! Off to find a seam to rip to try it out…!

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AskAlice Fri 30-Jan-26 18:01:08

I had to use it again today, when I didn't read the pattern properly and sewed a seam the wrong sides together instead of right sides. I can now confirm that it also works on pincord fabric just as well as it did on a canvas bag seam!! It seems my sewing head is a bit all over the place at the moment confused

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AskAlice Fri 30-Jan-26 18:03:57

icanhandthemback I have a nifty little needle threader that I use on my old 1982 Jones sewing machine that has a little hole in the end for just that purpose. Very handy, and it also prevents me from dropping the needle into the bobbin area!

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Purplepixie Fri 30-Jan-26 18:36:48

Thank you so much for sharing.

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Flippinheck Sat 31-Jan-26 09:04:08

That is a really useful idea AskAlice. Thank you. I will find a rubber this morning ready for the inevitable seam ripping on my current project.

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