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Conversational Threads

Sewing With Faux Fur

Linda_Uhrig | Posted in The Archives on

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Has anyone noticed any articles in THREADS magazine, articles or books about sewing with faux fur? I have recently purchased some beautiful faux fur (SABLE) and would surely like to know how to correctly start a coat project. Are there any special techniques to this?

Replies

  1. Jean_ | | #1

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    I couldn't find anything in Threads although there must be something......Check out this site
    for some tips on cutting and sewing. Good luck with it!

    1. Colleen_Writt | | #2

      *HI Linda I sew costumes with fake fur quite a bit. For the coat you would like to make, choose a simple design without darts if possible.Since this fur definately has a nap,use the with nap layout andpay close attention to the nap when laying out and cutting. I chalk the cutting lines on the back of the fur,cut only one layer at a time,with very sharp scissors just through the backing fabric,this avoids damaging the fur and creates less furry mess.Use a large universal needle in your machine and long Quilting pins as the smaller pins tend to get lost in the fur. Pin often,as the fur also wants to slide as you stitch. A narrow zigzag stitch works best for me, as it allows for some stretching in the seams, as the backing on those furs is a knit.As you stitch,smooth the fur fibers toward the garment,away from the seam. After stitching the seams, pick the fibers out of the seamlines on the right side using a sewing awl or large yarn needle.You can then use a course plastic bristle hairbrush or dog brush to smooth and groom the fur, as there can be a lot of loose fibers. Do not iron artificial fur. Any heat, from an iron or a dryer will scorch and ruin it.Use sew-in interfacing if necessary, not fusible. If you wish to have the seams flattened, you can open them out and catch stitch the edges by hand to the back of the fabric. Since this fur has so much bulk, your undercollar should be of another fabric, ultrasuede or similarwould be nice, also on the cuffs and hems to eliminate bulk I would use a facing of ultrasuede.Topstitching artificial furs is not recommended, hems are best done by hand, and I have had good luck on lighter furs using the blind hem stitch.The costumes I make from artificial furs are never dry cleaned. If it is necessary to clean them, they are washed in cool water on a delicate cycle, brushed out and hung to dry. I have seen very nice examples of artificial fur coats done with a good lining and detailing, you would guess they were real!

      1. karen_morris_ | | #3

        *Linda, you also might enjoy an article in Threads by Leah Crain on creating pieced insets with faux fur. It's in issue 68, pp. 57-61. Leah made a beautiful coat, and also includes some good basic info on sewing with fake fur. This coat was gorgeous--the photos really don't quite capture it.

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