Give me a reason why I shouldn't snip this label...

October 1, 2016 12:48 PM

Found a lovely wool scarf in a charity shop today, complete with a washing instructions label sewn onto one end. Now, I'm thinking that seeing this dangling around in front of me would be annoying, so I should (gently) snip the seam and pull it off, right? Or not? Added bonus questions: how best to do this without ruining the scarf? And do folks generally snip out the labels from other clothes as well? Is this a thing?
posted by doornoise to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (17 answers total)

You should be able to safely remove it with a seam ripper.

I tend towards removing labels. This is really common behavior for families with, for example, sensory issues who are driven to distraction by labels.
posted by Michele in California at 12:51 PM on October 1, 2016 [3 favorites]

I would use a seam ripper, not a pair of scissors, being careful to cut only the stitches on top of the label and then gently pull the threads out one by one, without using anything pointy. (I'd think of it as something fussier than "pulling off the label," which sounds like a one-shot task, which it is not, because there is a lot more risk of damaging something.)
posted by listen, lady at 12:52 PM on October 1, 2016 [3 favorites]

Of course it's a thing. Haven't you ever had an uncomfortable label in a shirt? I don't snip all mine out, but I've certainly snipped plenty. Just use a small pair of sharp scissors or fingernail clippers to cut only the thread on top of the label, pulling it up a little so you can be sure you're not cutting anything else. Once the threads are snipped, you can pull them out by the loose ends.
posted by Redstart at 12:57 PM on October 1, 2016 [8 favorites]

For a contrary perspective: depending on the label material, scissors are fine for removal and take way less time.

The small scrap of label will fray and soften quickly, and seam ripping technically weakens the structural integrity no matter how carefully you do it.

If you like seam ripping that's fine too, I often find it tedious and annoying, and a 1mm fringe of frayed label almost never bothers me, YMMV.
posted by SaltySalticid at 12:58 PM on October 1, 2016 [2 favorites]

That label is stitched onto a flat surface, not sewn into a seam, so there shouldn't be a fringe of frayed label left behind.

Carefully (with something like nail scissors or a seam ripper) cut upwards through the stitches on top of the label. You should then be able to lift the entire label off the scarf and pick out any loose threads.
posted by Squeak Attack at 1:05 PM on October 1, 2016 [2 favorites]

Best answer: That label is held on with separate stitching, it's not like it's woven into the scarf or anything.

Just carefully snip (cuticle scissors are great for this) a bit of the white stitching, then pull out the thread. You can gently wobble the label to loosen the threads if they're too tight to pull.

This isn't going to harm your scarf at all if the only thing you snip at is that white stitching. Worst case scenario is there are little puckers where it was sewn into the scarf, but those'll go away.
posted by phunniemee at 1:07 PM on October 1, 2016 [5 favorites]

Seam rippers are cool. I've used mine for gently un-attaching, shortening (by cutting), and reattaching (by sewing) straps - comfort gold!

A seam ripper has a point that will allow you to gently thread it under those stitches; the point leads to a cutting edge that will cut only the thread you've picked up. It's really great.
posted by amtho at 1:07 PM on October 1, 2016 [2 favorites]

If there's a label on a coat or jacket sleeve, do take it off!
posted by jgirl at 1:25 PM on October 1, 2016 [5 favorites]

I would make sure the seam ripper is very sharp, or otherwise use a very fine-pointed, sharp pair of scissors, to make sure you don't just pull on the thread that holds the label in place rather than cutting it.
posted by needs more cowbell at 1:55 PM on October 1, 2016

Best answer: I cut the labels off most exercise t-shirts so that they don't chafe. I'll sometimes keep the label stapled to the cardboard that came attached so I can remember the washing instructions.

The label is almost always sewn on with thread that's not holding the item together, it's just there to attach the label. Very occasionally it's not but with a scarf there should be no problem.

I use a pointy scissors and snip the very last loop of thread on the top of the label. That's enough that I can pull the label away from that side to reveal more loose thread under it. I continue to snip at the loose thread and pull the label until I can detach it, then I pull away any loose threads.

As labels go though, that's quite a nice one. And it says Ireland on it. I'd consider keeping it.
posted by nevan at 2:51 PM on October 1, 2016

Best answer: oh yes, I do this with all of my wool scarves. There's no harm to the scarf - use a seam ripper or sharp scissors or a razor blade, cut the stitches on top of the label. If you do happen to nick it, just sew up the hole with matching thread. Wool is surprisingly resilient to hole-mending. If you ever think you might sell the scarf, keep the label. Made in Ireland woolen scarves are more desirable than made in China.
posted by umwhat at 3:28 PM on October 1, 2016

Best answer: Yes, please. It drives me bananas when people don't. (Also, the x holding the flaps of your coat together is not a permanent feature, people!)
posted by dame at 5:47 PM on October 1, 2016 [19 favorites]

I'd keep it. It's nice to have a little information about where your things came from, and I think the lettering is pretty. Plus if you ever happen to sell or re-donate it, the label will make it more valuable to its next owner.
posted by milk white peacock at 8:59 AM on October 2, 2016

If you want to go full out, remove it from the end and reattach it along the seam at the middle where it will not be seen. Win-win!
posted by mightshould at 7:08 PM on October 2, 2016

I remove labels often. I also shop thrift often. I would not remove this label! You can tell the scarf is vintage, and that it's wool, and that it was made in Ireland -- all things that make it more valuable and interesting. If you do remove it, I'd keep it somewhere, but I'm also kind of a crouton petter.
posted by fiercecupcake at 7:25 AM on October 3, 2016 [1 favorite]

You can tell the scarf is vintage

I don't see anything about the tag that indicates the scarf is vintage - the scarves on the John Hanly site seem to have the exact same tags today. If doornoise lives the UK or Ireland, the scarf being from Ireland is not particularly notable. And the fiber content of a scarf like that should be fairly obvious from the feel of the fabric and a visual inspection.
posted by Squeak Attack at 10:42 AM on October 3, 2016

I always snip labels on scarves, because... it's a scarf, the label will end up visible at some point, and it doesn't look good in an outfit. I'd gently seam-rip the label out, you can keep it and sew it back in later if you really want to (like if you donate or re-sell it).
posted by stoneandstar at 10:21 AM on November 7, 2016