Susan Ottevanger

My Fiskars History

My long history with Fiskars began in Denver, Colorado, USA, 1975, as a Designers Assistant at a children’s modestly priced clothing factory. For a year, I was the sample cutter for three designers. I had a big cutting table in a corner of a factory with over 100 sewing machines. I spent 8 hours a day cutting small shapes, like toddlers shorts and shirts, with huge heavy scissors that got sharpened rarely. Difficult, awkward, just tiring to use, plus I needed to keep a first aid kit handy. One evening I was in the fabric department of a major store downtown Denver when I saw the word Swedish. Being half Swedish, it caught my attention and a detailed examination. I checked it out and Checked Out with Fiskars Swedish Surgical Steel sewing scissors. Painless, 1/4 the size of my industrial whackers, lightweight, neat, cleaner cuttings. My days, my quality of life improved significantly. Seriously, 8 hours a day of holding a heavy tool? Made a noticeable difference to lighten up. Even had more working space with the first aid kit off my table and out of sight.