Why Does Your Seam Ripper Have a Red Ball? Discover Its Purpose! 

Hey everybody! I've noticed quite a few comments mentioning that some folks have been using their seam rippers 'wrong' after watching my tutorial. But here's the thing, it's not really about right or wrong. Seam rippers can be used in a variety of ways, and different methods suit different situations. You weren't using it incorrectly before; I've just shown you another technique to add to your sewing toolkit. It's not a one-size-fits-all kind of deal - this method might be perfect for some tasks, but not for others. Curious about when to use this technique and when to stick with your usual method? I've got all the details laid out in a comprehensive tutorial on my site. Just head over to this link to get the full instructions - www.ageberry.com/why-does-your-seam-ripper-have-a-red-ball/

What?!?? What just happened?!? How have I been sewing for 35 years and NEVER KNEW THIS?!?!!! I practically cry every time I have to take out a seam because I literally cut one stitch at a time with the sharp end and it takes forever - I am still in shock by what I just watched. Mind blown. Life changed. Thank you SO MUCH!!

After half a century on this planet, I've finally learnt how to use a seam ripper.

My teacher, it seems did know how to use a seam ripper. In my day boys didn’t do sewing, we did woodwork. I was so badly behaved as a punishment I was put into the girls sewing class. Turns out I loved it! I have three boys, now men, and I taught them to sew as well. One joined the RAF and he said his sewing skills really help him when on deployment in Afghan’. Sewing is an important skill.

Not only have I finally learned what the red ball is for I also learned the various sizes of seam rippers are for various fabrics! I’m 65.

Hmm, I've been using it upside down. Thank you.

After reading all the comments, I've decided that none of our teachers, growing up, knew how to use a seam ripper, either! I've ALWAYS led with the sharp point! I never knew you were supposed to use the ball end. I just figured that was so we don't poke ourselves and thought that didn't make sense. LOL Thank you for teaching me something important about a seam ripper! All these years, ripping has been MUCH harder than it needed to be!

😳83 years old now, and I have been sewing since I was 18. I NEVER knew what the red ball was for. This is mind-bending for me. When I think of all the holes I have inadvertently made in fabrics because I used the sharp point underneath and the red ball above 🥹😭 Thank you. 🙏🏾

Thank you!!! 71 yrs of age and I have now learned the correct way to use the seam ripper. 😮😊

You had me at “hold on to your bobbin,” that was too cute 😂 Wow…. I’ve been sewing for decades, and you taught me a game changing technique! Just to think of the tons of hours I’ve dreaded and spent removing seams! Thank you for a useful technique that l will implement immediately.

Until this video I never understood why they called it a seam "ripper". I always thought it was just an ambitious or wishful sort of over-exaggeration of what the tool does. Today, the name of the tool finally makes so much sense!

Your sense of humor is a delightful addition to your already educational videos and articles, a tribute to Rudolph’s nose made me chuckle.

OH MY WORD! I have been sewing since I was about 11-12 and I never knew that! Neither my home ec teacher or my grandmother who sewed and did alterations for people ever told me. I have been using it upside down for 60 years and taking forever because of often having to do one stitch at a time! 👵🏻 Always thought it was there to keep you from accidentally poking yourself while using the seam ripper. 😆 Thank you for sharing that very important tidbit of information. 👍👏😊

OMGoodness! I have been sewing for many, many years and just realized I have been using my seam rippers wrongly. Either I did not pay attention as a child learning from my mother...or I forgot. Thank you so much for this video!

OMG! I have been sewing since I was 13 (I am 64 now) and I never knew that this is how to use the seam ripper. I would just carefully pick the stitches by ones and twos. When I think of the hours I could have saved myself hahahaha! I so appreciate this video. Just showed my daughter who is 30 and has been sewing as well since she was a little girl. We are so AMAZED! BTW you are very funny :)

I have never seen a seam ripper use that way. I have been using it wrong all these years. This will save me so much time. Thank you so much.

I read some of the comments and after decades of sewing I was doing it different. I used to go on the inside and on one side of the seam cut a stitch every inch or so and then on the other side you pull one long thread out and only have pieces on one side. Thank you for showing us this way.

I’ve been doing it all WRONG for decades. I was using my seam ripper all WRONG! Thank you for showing me the correct way to use this valuable tool. 💜💜💜

OMG! I’m 64. Our mom taught all of us kids to sew as we were growing up. I taught my kids to sew. I’m now teaching my grandkids to sew. I never knew until today I been using the seam ripper wrong all my life. Thank you for your help.

my mind is absolutely blown!! they should have like a diagram on the back of the packaging showing this technique! game changing!!

As a kid, I used my mom's seam ripper as an olive fork.

Never too old to learn something new. Or find out I've been doing it wrong for decades😊.

I think we all learned something new. 67 years old and been sewing since I was 5. You just taught this old dog a new trick. Thanks so much. New sub.

You really opened my eyes up to how I could have been using this seam ripper the last 50 years. I'm embarrassed to say I had no idea. Thank you for this valuable information. ❤😊

I never knew that this is how we're supposed to use a seam ripper. Live and Learn.

I had no idea I was using it wrong. 😂 Great video, thank you!

I don't even know what a seam ripper is. I'm not sure why this was recommended to me, but I'm glad it was.

I see the RU-vid algorithm has suggested a category I have never once searched. But this video has peaked my interest in knowing what the little red ball was for. Even though I don’t sew or anything related to it. Very informative video and I hope this channel continues to grow and educate more people 👍🏽

Great video and you made me laugh out loud with the unicorn and Rudolph reference.

While I'm sorry you tore your fabric, I'm glad you included it in the video. Makes me feel a little better about the times I've done that myself! It always seems to happen on the fabric that I *really* don't want to tear...

Today I learned that I was using a seam ripper wrong and inefficiently. Thank you so much for this video! I came out learning more than one thing today!

I know nothing about sewing, but I came to watch because I'm fascinated by the whole science of sewing, sewing machines, and textile making etc. Is like geometry, topology and physics all in one grab! Vastly under-appreciated arts. Thank you.

I just add to the concert of OMG I’ve been sewing for 40 years and didn’t know that! As a compulsive recycler of old cloths that is life changing!

Thank you. This is a game changer, I’ve been sewing since childhood, I’m now well over sixty and have always picked at individual stitches!

I'm 71, and don't do much sewing other than hemming pants and making small repairs. This vid popped up in my suggestions several days ago and I thought "I know the ball is to protect the fabric; I don't need to watch." I'm glad I did! I too have always picked the threads out one at a time, poking the sharp end into the seam. Thanks from Southern California.

I'm 76 and I had no idea about the red ball. This will be a game changer. Thank you for sharing this most important fact. Best wishes from Australia.

I knew about this, but I'm always afraid of ripping the fabric so I go slow. I didn't realize there were different sizes available.

Omg, thank you - novice sewist here (less than 5 years experience) and I think you just saved me months if not years' worth of time in the future.

The comments on this video help explain why a couple of people I know mentioned how much they dislike using a seam ripper and thought it was so tedious & inefficient to use. I’ve always found it soooo satisfying and was baffled about how they could feel so opposite from me. It never occurred to me that they weren’t using it correctly! Amazing how such a small tool has had such a big impact on people.

😲😲😲 I've been using this tool the wrong way for more then 30 years.... I'm a hobbyist so I use not often. I just clicked on the video you tube suggested and learned a lesson... thank you....

Oh my goodness, I am in my 60s and have been using my seem ripper wrong my whole life, I cannot believe how easy it is to do it the correct way you show, instead of a couple of stitches at a time and snagging the fabric. Thank you so much.

OMG I've been using my seam ripper wrong my whole freaking life. Love this tip and your personality. You had me at rrrrrrrrip ❤

The way I GASPED and nearly dropped my phone when you just GLIDED through those seams like butter. GIRL WHAT?! YOU'RE TELLING ME I COULD HAVE SAVED MYSELF hours SEAM RIPPING SEWING MISTAKES BY FLIPPING MY SEAM RIPPER!!! I'm sorry, my bobbins have been lost. My mind is in Boggles. XD Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! I will now share your video to my socials so the few followers I have😂 can too learn this wizardry.

I'm absolutely mindblown that I've never seen a seam ripper used in this manner. Holy cow! Very excited to know this technique for the rest of my life

Thank you for sharing this,I didn't what it was for and now I can't wait to get ripping seams.

Ok, after scrolling through the comments, I have discovered that basically NONE of us were taught about the function of The Red Ball. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE??🤷🏻‍♀️ At least we can now pass this vital information on to future generations.👍🏻❤😁 Thank you SO much.

I am thrilled to realize I wasn’t the only person who has been sewing for decades, and didn’t realize that red ball was actually a critical part of the tool! Next time I both something and need to re sew, you can bet I’m going to remember this! Thanks!

You've probably heard and read this many times before, yet I want to share my thought that you seem like a genuinely sweet and kind person. :)

In quilting we call it a stitch picker just so we won't be tempted to try the fast way which can too easily slice right into the fabric

Oh my goodness I didn't know that 😅😅😅 see you learn something new everyday

Wonderful tips and your use of idioms in English is perfection! “Not a tributes to Rudolf’s nose”. 🤣🤣🤣 Thanks of the great information, and the laughs!

THANK YOU! I knew this, but it is far too rare that someone passes on this little golden nugget of wisdom.

Oh my gosh, so many years i used it wrong. Thank you for teaching. Greetings from Germany

I too have been using it wrong ! Thank you so much for your explanation and tips.

I don’t even sew but I found the seam ripping immensely satisfying, especially the denim. I actually may find this information useful in the future since I could imagine needing to rip a seam some day. Also, regardless of the field it’s great when using the right tool for the job makes it so much easier.

So I've never seam ripped before lol I've only seam picked and gotten bored. You've saved my sewing life I'll be getting so much done

Thank you for teaching this experienced sewer something new

WHAT?!? I had no idea!! Thank you. 😊

My jaw was on the floor watching this. Thank you for teaching us the best way to use a seam ripper!

I don't sew, I don't know why this video came up in my feed, but I now feel edified that I have learned about the arcane art of seam ripping. Thank you from Weimar, Germany.

I thought it was just meant to look like a drop of blood because they know I'm going to stab myself with it accidentally every time.

Well for heavens sake. Guess you can teach an old lady a new trick. Thank you.

A man here who does a bit of sewing occasionally to repair clothes (usually holes worn in shorts pockets or wear and tear rips) and make webbing straps etc for various outdoors gear, and like others here had no idea how this thing was intelligently designed to be used, or even what it was called, despite doing it for the last forty five years. I've typically used it to pick away with that sharp point and when I have seam ripped I've lead with the sharp point as well, with frustration. In dim memory I can recall using it correctly so must have been taught but forgotten. Much appreciated reminder on this handy little tool.

I have no idea why RU-vid thought I’d like it here, but oh my did I love the entire video, while learning a thing or two about about seam rippers. Thank you and keep up the amazing work!

Oh my goodness, how l wish my dear mum was still alive to see your video (I’m 64) l grew up watching my mother sew, she made all our clothes, bridesmaids dresses, her own wedding dress, so much sewing! I too sew, but have always used the seam ripper as my mother did, the other way up and used to unpick single stitches one at a time! Who knew.. my mind is blown! 🤩🤩 Thank you.

This is hands down the 2nd most useful video in the whole of YT (only beaten by the “how to fold fitted bedsheets). Thank you so much! I once told my husband that every time he sees me using the seam ripper, he could just assume that I was very irritable and/or a the verge of a meltdown.

I love it when older people make RU-vid videos, it's like learning from my grandparents (which are all now long gone).

I found this out by myself a few months after getting into sewing, showed it to my mother who's been sewing for 50 years and her mind was blown, she never knew.

Well after reading some comments I'm so glad I'm not the only one that has been using a seam ripper wrong for all these years. Thank you for showing me the right way.

I can't believe it never occurred to me to use a seam ripper this way in my 60+ years of sewing. Now I understand how it got its name! Thank you for sharing this!

In a cruel twist of fate this video was recommended to me RIGHT AFTER i spent 5 hours this morning ripping seams one by one with the wrong side of the seam ripper 😭😭 it's okay... I will know better in the future. Thank you SO much ❤️

MY MIND IS BLOWN. 35 years sewing and NEVER knew… THANK YOU!

I don't know why I'm watching sewing tutorials at nearly 1 in the morning, but thank you for making this video. It was very informative and I enjoyed watching it.

Ill be 100 with you, i clicked on this video by accident and have learned a lot more than i expected considering i dont know anything about sewing or fabric work. Now i know what a seam ripper is, what that funny ball is for, and the proper usage of them.

Thank you for sharing this option. I look forward to watching more of your videos as I start back sewing. I made a t-shirt in school (1985) and I was so proud...

Holy moly, I’ve been using a seam ripper with the red ball up instead of down! That’s what I was taught in home economics in 7th grade. My mind is seriously blown. 🤯 Thank you!

WOW! No idea why your video showed up on my stream but I am so glad it did. I had no idea how to use a seam ripper. Thank you.

When she says, “hold on to your bobbin!” -I’m holding! “It’s like a unicorn without a horn.” “Like a tribute to Rudolph’s nose.” I will never under-appreciate a seam ripper as I once did, when I did not think of it as a unicorn. This women is a treasure- truly. 💖

Jeez... I'm 62 years old and I have just learned that I have used this tool upside down all my life! I thought the pointy end got between the stitches more easily. Dang, the things we don't know! Thank you!

WOW! The comments are very enlightening! I guess I am the very odd woman out! I knew how to use a seam ripper! It had to have been my grandmother that taught me when I took an interest in quilting! She was the best! ❤ Oh, I’m 60!

Just realized no one knew how to use the seam ripper except you!!! Thanks!!!! Can't wait to go home and try it the right way!

“Hold on to your bobbins!” Cracked me up!

Drat! I’m 76 and never knew that about seam rippers!!! Would have saved me time, and grief!!! Thank you❣️

My grandma showed me back in the 80's that the red ball side was for speed and the other was for precision. Thanks for the refresher!

Thank you! I have been sewing for 15 years and I finally understand the seam ripper better thanks to you!

I've been using the seam ripper wrong my entire life. Thank you so much

I LOVE your sewing space. What a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. And you’re wonderful. What a great sense of humour! Thank you for this information. Now, if I could actually sew a straight seam, we’d be all set! 😊

Thank you for the advice and for being such a sweetheart in the comments!

Thank-you SO much for this video! I have dreaded ripping out seams for 50 years and now know why. I have been holding the ripper upside down!

Thanks for including the caveat about the potential of tearing lighter weight fabrics! 😊 I came across this info years ago (probably a 5-minute hack video making its way around Facebook) which failed to mention that part and I learned the hard way by tearing a massive gash in some satin lining. A simple seam correction turned into a full redo of that lining piece, ugh. 🤦‍♀️ Hopefully your warning will save others from my pain! Slow and gentle, friends!

My mother was a seamstress and I always saw her using this. It's been 20 years since she passed and I miss her a lot and her using the sewing machine

"A tribute to Rudolph's nose." Hahahaha 😅😂🤣😀 That made my day. Thanks for the tutorial! I have used a seam ripper incorrectly in the past. Now I know how to make the tool work better for me. 😊

Lovely woman, you made me realize I've been using seam rippers upside down the whole time!! I'm still in college so I've only been sewing for 5 or so years, you just saved me from a lifetime of using seamrippers wrong haha 🤭I suspected that the red ball was to avoid ripping the fabric, but always assumed it was bad at its job when ripping quickly, thank you!!

You have to be kidding me! How in the world did I just know how to use a seam ripper? It's never too late to learn. Thank you so much!❤

I would like to say that when I first started sewing a couple of years ago and came across my mom's seam ripper, I tried it the "wrong" way first, and upon discovering how tedious the process was, decided that I was probably using it wrong and flipped it the "right" way. It glided like magic. I had no idea not everyone used it this way.

I'm so glad that this video exists so that I can start using it the right way, but I am also so grateful for the other commenters who let me feel less dumb because I'm not the only one who has been using it upside down.

WOW!!!! I've used the seam ripper upside down and on the inside of the seam, tearing apart the stitches one at a time. I had no idea I was using it upside down my whole life, LOL. Thanks

Thank you for teaching me about that lil red ball! I'm kicking myself on how much time I wasted not knowing I could have been sliding the seam ripper so much faster!😅

I’m a retired construction worker and found this tutorial very satisfying. I could build a fifty story building but couldn’t even begin to fix a hole in my sox. 👍

DANG! Ive been sewing for decades and never knew this! Why don't these little tools come with instructions?? Thanks for showing us this!😊😊😊