I have to say that this has been a fun experience up till this point at which time I think I am going to have throw in the towel! First I cannot stop sneezing! My face is super itchy as are my eyes and I can't stop sneezing! A mask... I need a mask and glasses and possibly a pair of gloves and maybe some duck tape... hahaha The bottom line is sometimes we are not meant to make real fur bears.
Here is another issue and maybe Nancy will write to tell us all what is going wrong;
I sewed my bear together only to turn the bear to the right side and see that everywhere I stitched has now turned into a perforated edge which has released itself and come apart. Big tears everywhere. So what this means is that even if I can get the bear resewn it is now going to be much smaller as I lost my seam allowance.
I followed the instructions: I changed my needle to my glover (leather needle)
I used a 1/4 inch seam allowance also. I double seam my bears... possibly this is the issue? Maybe if I increased the stitch length on the machine?
The other option of course is to hand sew the bear which I do on all my miniatures.This would allow me to control my tension which might be what is needed for this coat! I am honestly not sure and hand sewing real fur bears is not an option for me due to the sneezing...This is what happened to me with my non lined vintage bear that I posted for you all to see before... Gilbert! Remember, I told you all his seams tore the vintage mohair fabric backing! There are a number of reasons that this can happen but with the lining I did not think it would be an issue here! It was really very sad and I had to put the bear down for the night and walk away!
Now I also know that no matter if I get through the second bear that I cut out of this coat or not I will not be making fur bears at this time... due to the sneezing and eye burn! So I want to let you know that I have a few beautiful fur coats that have been prepared for bear making that I will be getting rid of! I have a Persian lamb and I also have a GORGEOUS silver fox so if anyone wants them and wants to pay the shipping they are yours - just contact me!
I give you a hand for trying. You would have never known it was not for you unless you tried. Thank goodness for mohair.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry your allergies have flared up with the real fur.
ReplyDeleteYou worked hard to give it a go. I sew all mine by hand.
Hugs
You did very well, Michele. I admire you for your pluck! I'm also sorry that your allergies made working with real fur a nightmare. I have a bit of real fur waiting to be made into something and now, after seeing your difficulties, I realize that it will probably be best if I also give it away so as to avoid a flare-up in my allergies.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Heaps of Hugs,
Cheryl
I just found your blog and am doing my own experimenting with using reperposed fur coats with my needle felt bears . If you haven't found new home for the fur coats let me know what you think shipping would be and I will see if I can cover it . Sorry it didn't work with your allergies, I was really enjoying your articles :( but glad I have a new blog to read !
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