Q: Help! I am also looking for a way to shred fabric. I tried the paper cutter (didn't work), rotary cutter (too slow and exhausted arm), and scissors (too slow, it actually contributed to my 'tennis elbow' problem.) I use all the scraps and old clothes for stuffing pet beds for an animal shelter. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Asked by Mary Ann
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Tear it! Make a little snip to get it started and rip away!
A pair of electric scissors would work well. Also, you can cut just a snip into fabric that aligns with the grain of the fabric, then tear - it rips a straight line. Probably not easy on your tennis elbow though.
if your elbow can stand it, use an x-acto knife and a cutting mat and a ruler (if you care about consistent width).
I've been wondering this same thing- I want to use shredded fabric scraps for stuffed animals.
Do a web search for "fabric stripper." It's a handy tool for slicing fabric into strips for rug hooking or rug braiding. Just get one with small spacing, say 3/8". Comes in several spacings with sharp vertical "blades." You pull the fabric thru and it slices it into strips. Should be under $20.
My clawed cats came to mind!
I used to work in a fabric store and sometimes the ladies would want their quilting cotton fabric torn, so it would create a straighter line. You have to tear the fabric on the bias, just cut a little snip on the edge and rip away!
Snip and rip. And you don't have to do this on the bias.
There is something called a beater used tp shred fabric in papermaking. Google papermaking supplies....
http://www.papermakingresources.com/articles_beater.html
You could try these scissors. Theya re made for paper but they might work on fabric.
http://www.amazon.com/Martha-Stewart-Crafts-Fringe-Scissors/dp/B002Y6HFJW
I haven't tried it, but a paper shredder?
Snip and rip! You can do this in front of TV, and it makes an immensely satisfying "rrrrrip" sound as you proceed.
I found the strips come out typically about as straight as cutting. I tore up a whole (damaged) duvet cover, and am now knitting the strips into a new rag rug. It's super fun.
Love the stuffing idea too, and just might do that for my next dog!
A NEW paper shredder might work where one that has been used on paper won't for the same reason you should never cut paper with sewing scissors or hair scissors. The blades have to be razor sharp, and paper dulls them pretty quickly.
I put fabric scraps in a blender to shred them and make a fluffy stuffing material:
http://belrossa.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-make-100-cotton-pillowdoll.html
I have only done it for small amounts of stuffing. I don't know how well a blender would hold up in making a lot of stuffing.
Snip and rip. All fabrics do not tear the same. Polyester is difficult, blends are difficult too. I have been making braided rugs for a long time and I always snip and rip.