3.8 Tapering Velvet Strips

Freehand Tapering

Operational Steps:

01. Hold the brass wire head of the velvet strip between the thumb and index finger of your left hand and rotate it gently.

02. Hold the scissors in your right hand. You can press the scissor blades against your left middle and ring fingers to increase stability.

03. While rotating the velvet strip with your left hand, gently open and close the scissors in your right hand to trim away excess velvet fibers. Place a container underneath to catch the trimmings.

Tapering Assisted by a Vase/Container

Operational Steps

01. Hold the brass wire head of the velvet strip between the thumb and index finger of your left hand and rotate it gently. Rest the side of your left hand against the rim of the container.

02. Press the scissors against the container rim and use the blades to hold the velvet strip in place while trimming.

03. If too much trimmed velvet accumulates between the scissor blades, first close the blades, then gently tap them against the container rim to shake the trimmings loose. Never tap the scissors when the blades are open! Remember this tip.

Helpful Tip: If the scissors become stuck or jammed while trimming velvet, it means trimmings are caught between the blades. First, wipe them clean with a tissue, paying extra attention to the area near the scissor screw/pivot, and wipe it several times.